Drug Treatment of Disease

Subject PHRM30003 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 x one hour lectures per week (total contact hours: 36)
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: BSc students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
BBiomed students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Students wishing to undertake this subject as breadth will need the approval of the subject co-ordinator.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: This subject cannot be taken if credit has been previously obtained for 534-304 Pharmacology of Therapeutic Substances.
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit:

http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Christine Wright, Assoc Prof James Ziogas

Contact

Assoc Prof James Ziogas:

jamesz@unimelb.edu.au

Assoc Prof Christine Wright:

cewright@unimelb.edu.au

Administrative Coordinator:

Ms Hong Nguyen

hongn@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Cancer, disorders of the immune system, cardiovascular diseases and acute and chronic lung disorders are the most common types of afflictions affecting people worldwide. This subject will examine the medicines that have been developed, or are currently being researched, to treat these diverse conditions. This subject will present the scientific basis of present and likely future treatments of cancer, allergy, acute and chronic inflammation, infection, autoimmunity and transplant rejection, as well as of hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular atheromatous disease and metabolic syndrome. You will examine current knowledge of the pathogenesis of these disorders and the mechanisms of action of the major classes of drugs used to treat immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases will be considered in the context of these systems and processes. The importance of biotechnology to these therapeutic areas will also be considered.

Objectives:
  • On successful completion of this unit, students will have developed a solid understanding of the pharmacology of drugs used to treat immunological, oncological, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
  • Students will also gain an appreciation of how a detailed understanding of pathological processes is important for the rational development of new therapeutic drugs.
Assessment:
  • Continuing assessment (30%)
  • Workshop participation (10%)
  • A 2 hour written examination in the examination period (60%)
Prescribed Texts:
  • Pharmacology, Rang et al., Churchill Livingstone, 6th edition, 2007.
  • Principles of Pharmacology, Golan et al., Lippincott, Wilkins & Williams, 2nd edition, 2007.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: By the end of this unit students will:
  • Have an understanding of the scientific basis of the action of drugs.
  • Be adept at learning in a range of ways.
  • Be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge pertaining to drugs.
  • Be able to integrate key pharmacological and immunological principles.
  • Participate in collaborative learning.
  • Have a broad understanding of the process of drug development and utilisation, with a high regard for ethics and safety.
Notes: This subject is available to students enrolled in the BSc, Biomedicine degree.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Biomedical Biotechnology (specialisation of Biotechnology major)
Pharmacology
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses

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