Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Medical and Health 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

  Pharmacology

• Unit Code

  SCH3236

• Year

  2019

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  4

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr David Antony COALL

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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 one from SCH1134 or SCH1106, or both EBH1101 and EBH1102.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Explain and interpret appropriate detection methods for each class of drug.
2. Apply the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics to drug therapy and of the five main classes of drugs of abuse.
3. Identify the major groups of drugs used in the treatment and management of disordered physiology.
4. Describe and interpret the poisons and drug regulations of Western Australia.
5. Explain the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
6. Interpret reports of drug analyses and assays using the correct legal and scientific nomenclature.

Unit Content

1. Pharmacokinetics including the administration of drugs by the various routes, the indications, advantages and disadvantages of each.
2. Cardiovascular system pharmacology: antihypertensives and vasodilators; drugs to promote rhythm and cardiac strength and to control blood lipids.
3. Central nervous system pharmacology: antipsychotics and lithium; antidepressants; sedatives and hypnotics; drugs for treating epilepsy, dementia and Parkinson's disease.
4. Drugs involved in the treatment of anaemia and clotting disorders.
5. Basic pharmacy principles: the labelling/scheduling/classification of drugs in Australia including drugs of abuse that feature prominently in forensic investigations.
6. The following content areas are taught in relation to body organ systems and are in a clinical context. It is assumed that the student has an elementary knowledge of pharmacology and human biology. Autonomic nervous system pharmacology; cholinergic drugs; anticholinergic drugs adrenergic drugs; anti-adrenergic drugs; neuromuscular blocking agents.
7. Alcohol and drugs of abuse: effects on development, central nervous system functioning, sexual functionality and psycho-social interactions.
8. Drugs used in the treatment of pain and inflammation, both narcotic and non-narcotic.
9. The effects of: lipid solubility, regional blood flow differences, mechanisms by which drugs may be redistributed and mobilised from storage sites, metabolic processes, drug half-lives and dosing schedules including the various mechanisms of drug excretion.
10. Renal pharmacology: diuretics and electrolyte balance.
11. Gastrointestinal pharmacology, including treatments for helicobacter pylori infections, gastro-oseophageal reflux disorder and bowel abnormalities. The use of antiemetics in chemotherapy.
12. Pharmacology of the respiratory system including the treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive airways diseases and pulmonary infections.
13. Cancer chemotherapy and new approaches to immunotherapy.
14. A practical guide to the role of the forensic pharmacologist in legal and medical investigations.
15. Detailed pharmacology of alcohol and common drugs and substances of abuse in Australia, including the benzodiazepines, the opioids, stimulants, cocaine and cannabis.
16. Hormone therapy. Treatment of diabetes and glycaemic disorders; thyroid and pituitary disorders. Fertility treatments. Drugs that work against organisms: anti-viral/bacterial/fungal agents.
17. Pharmacodynamics; the mechanisms of drug action in relationship to specific receptors, enzyme kinetics, metabolic processing, physicochemical properties and direct chemical actions.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Learning materials, in the form of discrete modules, will be delivered via the University Blackboard system. Assignments and subsequent marking, and feedback on student progress will be provided at defined points during the teaching semester. Off campus students will come on campus (or alternative venue) at the end of the semester for a final exam.

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.

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