Unit rationale, description and aim
Biomedical science students require sound knowledge of therapeutic agents to enable them to work in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical field, health information areas or as a foundation for graduate programs. This unit will focus on introducing students to general pharmacological principles including drug dosage regimens, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students will apply these principles to changes that occur across the lifespan. A major focus of this unit will be describing the pharmacology of drugs within the context of relevant pathophysiological states explored in BMSC209 Pathophysiology (or equivalent). Students will apply pharmacological principles to understand why various drugs are used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The aim of this unit is to develop knowledge and skills in the discipline area of pharmacology and its application to human disease states.
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.
Relate principles of pharmacology to methods of dr...
Learning Outcome 01
Compare and contrast the inter-individual changes ...
Learning Outcome 02
Explain why certain pharmacotherapies are used for...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Drug nomenclature
- Dosage formulations and routes of drug administration
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
- Adverse drug reactions and drug interactions
- Lifespan pharmacology
- Commonly used drugs affecting the nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy allows students to progressively develop their knowledge of pharmacology. The first assessment task is an in-class test which will primarily assess knowledge acquisition and assimilation of basic pharmacological principles including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and lifespan pharmacology. The second assessment task is a multi-media task based on a person who has been prescribed a particular medication. Students will integrate various forms of media as advised by the teaching team to create an authentic, comprehensive and engaging presentation. This approach not only assesses their application of knowledge to a real situation but also their ability to effectively use digital tools to communicate ideas creatively. The final assessment task is the end-of-semester examination which will assess integration and application of key concepts covered in this unit.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and obtain a minimum mark of 50%.
Overview of assessments
In-class test The in-class test requires student...
In-class test
The in-class test requires students to demonstrate their understanding of basic pharmacological principles in preparation for the remaining two assessment tasks.
30%
Multi-media presentation Students will integrate ...
Multi-media presentation
Students will integrate various forms of media to create an authentic, comprehensive and engaging presentation based on a person who has been prescribed a particular drug.
30%
End-of-semester examination The end-of-semester ...
End-of-semester examination
The end-of-semester examination requires students to use critical thinking skills to demonstrate their knowledge of pharmacology.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit uses an active learning approach, integrating lectures and workshop classes with complementary online activities. Lectures are designed to convey essential information, enabling students to develop a comprehensive understanding and draw connections between various components of the subject matter. These sessions also offer opportunities for students to clarify their understanding and ask questions.
Workshop classes are intended to reinforce student learning in a supportive environment. During these sessions, students will engage collaboratively in activities such as reading, writing, discussions, and problem-solving, fostering higher-order cognitive skills like analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Case studies will be utilized to illustrate the practical application of theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts.
Additionally, online activities at the end of each week will provide feedback, allowing students to gauge their understanding and progress.