Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

A detailed knowledge of the pharmacology of drugs and the pathophysiology of disease states is essential for pharmacists to understand the therapeutic applications of pharmaceutical compounds and their concomitant adverse effects. This unit will provide you with an extension of this knowledge and covers the drug classes that are used to treat diseases and disorder associated with the central nervous system, the endocrine system, migraines and glaucoma. The pharmacology of drugs of abuse and pharmacotherapies for withdrawal syndromes are also reviewed .

This unit is horizontally integrated with SCB508 Pharmacy Practice 3 and provides the pathophysiology of the disease states studies in SCB508 and the mechanism of action of drugs used in their treatment.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to:

1. Provide an overview of CNS anatomy and physiology.

2. Describe the biochemical and pathophysiological basis for central nervous system disorders. And review the pharmacology of drugs that act on the central nervous system including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, analgesics, and pharmacotherapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Demonstrate the process by which the clinical efficacies of drugs are measured by both clinical trial reports and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

3. Review the pharmacology of recreational drugs and drugs of abuse and the therapeutic agents used in the treatment of addiction and withdrawal.

4. Review the clinical complications that occur following the dysregulation of the endocrine system in particular the pancreas and thyroid glands and the outline the pharmacology of drugs used to in the treatment of these syndromes and review the pathophysiology of glaucoma and migraines and their associated pharmacotherapies.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Competently discuss the physiological effects and molecular mechanisms of action of a wide range of drug classes that act on the central nervous system and their associated adverse effects and be able to critically discuss the results of clinical trials in terms of the efficacy and safetyof drugs and the use of meta-analysis for the comparison of multiple drugs.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the pharmacology of substance abuse and scientific basis of current therapeutic strategies used in the treatment of withdrawal syndromes.

3. Understand the mechanism of action of endocrine drugs and the therapeutic use of these agents.

Content

CNS Pharmacology:The role of neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and acetylcholine. Current understanding of the aetiology and treatment of Parkinson;s and Alzheimer;s diseases, psychosis, depression and epilepsy. Neurobiology of pain and the pharmacology of strong opioid and non-opioid analgesic drugs. Anxiolytic drugs and anaesthetics.

Drugs of Abuse and addiction: Pharmacological basis of drugs of addition and treatment of withdrawal of from various classes of drugs including opioids, benzodiazepines, ethanol and recreational drugs.

Endocrine system: The pancreas, insulin and the control of blood glucose. Drugs used to treat diabetes including the biguanides, sulfonylurea, thiazolidinediones and PPAR antagonists.

Migraine and Glaucoma: Aetiology and pathogenesis of these diseases states and the pharmacology of the medines used in their treatment

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The teaching content of this unit will be presented as lectures (3 hours/week). Tutorial session (2 hours/ week) will provide a forum to perform problem solving exercises that will reinforce the lecture content. The use of CAL packages during tutorials will demonstrate key pharmacological concepts and applications with an interactive multimedia approach.

Assessment

A satisfactory performance (greater than 50%) in all assessment tasks is required to obtain a passing grade for this unit.

In addition to submitting hard copies of your assessment you may be required to electronically submit all written assignments for content matching checks.Feedback will be available on your progress.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: (Summative) - End-semester theory exam.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: (Formative and summative) - Progress theory exam.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: (Formative and summative) - Tutorial quizzes (two (2) short examinations on tutorial content.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 4
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 4 and 11

Assessment name: Report
Description: (Summative) - The written assignment will focus on the pharmacology of CNS drugs and will allow the assessment of your ability to present pharmacological information in the written form.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 12

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

1. Golan (2007) Principles of Pharmacology. The Pathophysiologic Basis of Drug Therapy, 2nd edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

2. Goodman and Gillman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 11th edition, (2006), New York: McGraw-Hill Health Professions Division

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should be conscious of workplace health and safety at all times. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should not attempt to adjust or repair computer or other electrical equipment, and should report suspected faults to the lecturer or a Computer Systems Officer. Useful tips on the best ergonomic practice for the use of computers can be found at: http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/healthsafecomputer_safety.pdf
Further information on health and safety at QUT can be found at: http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/healthsafe/index.jsp

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Feb-2013