Unit rationale, description and aim
Understanding how drugs influence biological systems is fundamental to interpreting and applying pharmacological principles in biomedical science. This unit focuses on the pharmacology of drugs that affect the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive systems across a range of physiological and pathological states. The mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications of antimicrobial agents will be explored, alongside the escalating global concern of antibiotic resistance. Drugs used in the treatment of cancer, including emerging biological agents and immunotherapies, will also be examined. Students will be introduced to the National Medicines Policy exploring initiatives that support the quality use of medicines. The unit aims to extend students’ understanding of drug therapy across the lifespan and in both health and disease.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Evaluate why certain gastrointestinal, endocrine a...
Learning Outcome 01
Analyse the actions and effects of key antimicrobi...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply strategies to promote quality use of medicin...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Gastrointestinal pharmacology
- Endocrine pharmacology
- Reproductive pharmacology
- Antimicrobial agents for treatment and prophylaxis of infection
- Antibiotic resistance
- Anti-cancer agents including emerging biological and immunotherapies
- Quality use of medicines and medicine safety including pharmacovigilance
Assessment strategy and rationale
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate that they have achieved each learning outcome and obtained a minimum total mark of 50% in the unit. The assessment strategy used allows students to build on their knowledge of pharmacology in context of real-life situations.
Assessment One: a case study test about a person who is prescribed various drugs. Students are given the case study in advance of the test and have an opportunity to discuss the case with their peers in the tutorial preceding the test's due date. The test is structured in this way to simulate a work situation.
Assessment Two: students write a case study including accompanying questions and answers, such as those used by pharmaceutical companies or authorities responsible for regulating medicines. This authentic approach aims to maximise students’ experience of learning and provides students with an opportunity to participate and benefit from peer assessment.
Assessment Three: This task requires students to write a series of short essays based on case studies, to assess integration and application of key concepts covered in this unit.
Regular quizzes will allow students to check their understanding of the unit’s content areas; these quizzes do not contribute to the unit’s grade.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 Case study test The case...
Assessment Task 1
Case study test
The case study test requires students to apply their understanding of pharmacological principles to a particular case.
25%
Assessment Task 2 Case study report Studen...
Assessment Task 2
Case study report
Students will write a case study including questions and answers similar to those written by pharmaceutical companies or authorities regulating medicines.
25%
Assessment Task 3 Short essays based on case stu...
Assessment Task 3
Short essays based on case studies.
Students will use their critical thinking and investigative skills to demonstrate their knowledge of pharmacology with respect to these case studies.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit uses an active approach to online learning. Lectures allow teachers to convey necessary information so that students can gain an overall understanding and make connections between different components. Lectures will also provide opportunities for students to check their understanding and ask questions. Tutorial classes will consolidate student learning in a supported environment. A series of pre-class activities will allow students to build foundational knowledge and evaluate their understanding in order to successfully undertake tutorial classes. In tutorial classes, students will work collaboratively and engage in activities such as reading, writing, discussion, or problem solving to promote analysis, synthesis and evaluation of class content. There will be a significant focus on learning through the use of case studies so that students can apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Online activities at the end of each week will provide students with feedback regarding their understanding