Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Medical Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Pharmacology
  • Unit Code

    SCH1105
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Basic pharmacology is presented in such a way that students with little background in physiology or biochemistry will be able to understand the principles of drug actions, reactions and interactions. All commonly used drugs will be described with regard to their use, mechanism of action, side effects and abuse potential. Brief descriptions of pathophysiological processes will be given where appropriate.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCH1134, SCH1143

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics to drug therapy with special reference to the use of drugs in young, elderly, pregnant and lactating persons.
  2. Describe and interpret the poisons and drug regulations of Western Australia.
  3. Explain the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
  4. Identify some drugs that are commonly abused and describe the physiological effects of them.
  5. Identify the major groups of drugs used in the treatment and management of disordered physiology.

Unit Content

  1. Cardiovascular system, haematological and immune system pharmacology.
  2. Central nervous system pharmacology.
  3. Drug history, classification, nomenclature and scheduling.
  4. Drug interactions.
  5. Idiosyncrasies, pharmacogenetics, age, sex, pregnancy, tolerance, disease and diet - their effect on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  6. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  7. Renal, gastrointestinal and respiratory pharmacology.
  8. Unwanted effects of drugs: adverse effects and allergic responses.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials. Laboratory demonstrations. Students will have the opportunity to work on case studies for WANADA (WA Network for Alcohol and other Drug Agencies). Recent web sites and apps (applications) for Android and iPhone (TM) will be provided during classes. TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES Students will have access to hardcopy of MIMS and be provided with links to current drug pharmacopoea. Case studies and problem solving exercises relevant to WANADA (WA Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies) will be provided. Extracts for scientific and medical journals will be provided when relevant. Sample packaging and drug delivery systems will be available for study during tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestCase-study test50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2011). Fundamentals of pharmacology (6th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education.
  • McFadden, R. (2009). Introducing pharmacology for nursing and healthcare (1st ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education.
  • Eckman, M., Labus, D., & Thompson, G. (Eds.). (2008) Nursing pharmacology made incredibly easy (2nd ed.). Philidelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
  • Karch, A.M. (2011). Lippincott's nursing drug guide (Canadian Edition). Philidelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Journal References

  • MIMS
  • Australian Prescriber
  • Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
  • Current Therapeutics

Website References

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH1105|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Medical Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Pharmacology
  • Unit Code

    SCH1105
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Basic pharmacology is presented in such a way that students with little background in physiology or biochemistry will be able to understand the principles of drug actions, reactions and interactions. All commonly used drugs will be described with regard to their use, mechanism of action, side effects and abuse potential. Brief descriptions of pathophysiological processes will be given where appropriate.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCH1134, SCH1143

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics to drug therapy with special reference to the use of drugs in young, elderly, pregnant and lactating persons.
  2. Describe and interpret the poisons and drug regulations of Western Australia.
  3. Explain the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
  4. Identify some drugs that are commonly abused and describe the physiological effects of them.
  5. Identify the major groups of drugs used in the treatment and management of disordered physiology.

Unit Content

  1. Cardiovascular system, haematological and immune system pharmacology.
  2. Central nervous system pharmacology.
  3. Drug history, classification, nomenclature and scheduling.
  4. Drug interactions.
  5. Idiosyncrasies, pharmacogenetics, age, sex, pregnancy, tolerance, disease and diet - their effect on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  6. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  7. Renal, gastrointestinal and respiratory pharmacology.
  8. Unwanted effects of drugs: adverse effects and allergic responses.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and e-learning.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestIn-semester Quiz 125%
TestIn-semester Quiz 225%
Examination ^End of semester examination (at nominated examination)50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestIn-semester Quiz 125%
TestIn-semester Quiz 225%
Examination ^End of semester examination (nominated examination venue)50%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2011). Fundamentals of pharmacology (6th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education.

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH1105|1|2