Drug Treatment of Disease

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours

BSc students:

BBiomed students:

Students wishing to undertake this subject as breadth will need the approval of the subject co-ordinator.

None

None

This subject cannot be taken if credit has been previously obtained for 534-304 Pharmacology of Therapeutic Substances.

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/

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.

• 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.

• Continuing assessment (30%)
• Workshop participation (10%)
• A 2 hour written examination in the examination period (60%)

• Pharmacology, Rang et al., Churchill Livingstone, 6th edition, 2007.
• Principles of Pharmacology, Golan et al., Lippincott, Wilkins & Williams, 2nd edition, 2007.

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

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.

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.

This subject is available to students enrolled in the BSc, Biomedicine degree.