Pharmacology (Optometry)

Subject PHRM30006 (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 1, 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: 36 lectures and two hours of computer-aided learning
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: Enrolment in the third year of the Bachelor of Optometry course with successful completion of second-year physiology and biochemistry.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website:

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

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Richard Hughes, Dr Peter Crack

Contact

Dr Peter Crack:

pcrack@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Richard Hughes:

rahughes@unimelb.edu.au

Administrative Coordinator:

Ms Hong Nguyen

Subject Overview:

The teaching program will emphasise the importance of drug action in the eye and provide the optometry student with enough background to appreciate the special needs of optometry patients undergoing drug therapy for other conditions and be able to communicate confidently with patients and other health professionals about pharmacology and therapeutics. Topics that will be covered include principles of drug action; pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics; administration of drugs to the eye; absorption and penetration through the cornea; mechanisms of drug elimination and metabolism; autonomic innervation of the eye; miotics, mydriatics and cycloplegics; drugs used in systemic and central conditions and their consequence to ocular function; drugs used in ocular conditions; local anaesthetics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, anti-infective agents and drugs used in the treatment of glaucoma.
Objectives: Comprehend:
  • the ways in which drugs act on the body;
  • the ways drugs are handled by the body;
  • the therapeutic uses of drugs for common disorders as well as for optometry.

Appreciate:
  • the special needs of optometry patients undergoing drug therapy for other conditions.

Develop:
  • skills in reading the literature & sourcing relevant drug information;
  • an ability to communicate with patients and health professionals about pharmacology and therapeutics.
Assessment:
  • Mid-semester assessment (20%); and
  • A 2-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).
Prescribed Texts:
  • Golan et al., Principles of Pharmacology, 2nd ed;
  • Rang et al., Pharmacology 5th or 6th Ed;
  • Bryant Knights & Salerno Pharmacology for Health Professionals;
  • Janus & Bartlett Clinical Ocular Pharmacology 2nd Ed.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: By the end of this subject students should have developed skills in:

  • systematic evaluation of scientific evidence
  • observation and organisation
  • identifying and interpreting data

Notes:

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Optometry course.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Optometry

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