Course Outline

BIM263 Introduction to Pharmacology

Course Coordinator:Andrew Eamens (aeamens@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Biomedicine

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course will give an overview of Pharmacology, including drugs that affect cholinergic and noradrenergic transmission, enzymes as drug targets and enzyme kinetics, the effects of drugs on organ systems, and drug discovery.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Learning materials, delivered as pre-recorded narrated powerpoints with embedded quiz questions using the H5P platform. 1.5hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus, in person tutorials. 2hrs Week 1 7 times
Laboratory 1 – On campus (in person) laboratory class 2hrs Week 2 6 times

Course Topics

Introduction to Pharmacology

Cholinergic pharmacology

Adrenergic pharmacology

Drugs affecting the cardiovascular system

Anti-hypertensive drugs

Haemostasis and thrombosis

Anti-inflammatory agents

Drugs affecting the respiratory system

Drugs affecting the reproductive system

Drug discovery

Drugs affecting the gastrointestinal and urinary systems

Drugs affecting the CNS

Drug use and abuse

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Paramedicine Board of Australia
1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the basic principles & concepts of pharmacology to clinically relevant situations. Knowledgeable
3.1.a, 3.2.a, 3.2
2 Solve problems by using evidence-based reasoning, and where appropriate, mathematical calculations. Creative and critical thinker
3.2.b, 5.3.b, 5.3.c, 5.3.f
3 Communicate scientifically in the form of a problem set and practical report, with reference to the literature Empowered
3.2.a, 3.2.b, 3.2

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Paramedicine Board of Australia
3.1.a Operate within a framework of making informed, evidence-based, reasonable and professional judgements about their practice, with acting in the best interests of their patients as their primary concern.
3.2.a Apply evidence-based practice principles along with critical and reflective thinking to resolve clinical challenges.
3.2.b Demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving and situation analysis.
3.2 Use clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to determine clinical judgements and appropriate actions
5.3.b Understand the principles and applications of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment efficacy and the research process.
5.3.c Understand the theoretical basis of and the variety of approaches to assessment and intervention.
5.3.f Understand the clinical sciences underpinning paramedic practice, including physiological, pharmacological, behavioural and functional.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

LFS201 or LFS203 or (LFS112 and LFS122) or (HLT100 and enrolled in SC395 or SC306)

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

BIM261

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In week 4 of this course, a Problem Set will be completed and submitted for assessment. This assignment has a 10% weighting. Feedback will be provided within 2 weeks of submission.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1a Activity Participation Individual 10%
250 words
Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 1b Activity Participation Individual 10%
250 words
Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual 30%
4 Minute MP4 video and 600 word script
Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3a Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 10%
Each cohort of students will be examined over 30 min
Week 10 In Class
All 3b Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 40%
2 hours (<1500 words) each
Exam Period Exam Venue
All - Assessment Task 1a:Problem Set
Goal:
This problem set is designed to introduce you to the literature of pharmacology and develop your critical analysis of this research. You will complete a worksheet containing 10 questions on pharmacology.
Product: Activity Participation
Format:
Short Answers, 10 problems on a worksheet
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
​Key points identified
1
2
Solve problems by using evidence-based reasoning,
2
3
Mathematical problem solving
2
4
Communicate scientifically in the form of a problem set, referring to literature.​
3
All - Assessment Task 1b:Problem Set
Goal:
This problem set is designed to introduce you to the literature of pharmacology and develop your critical analysis of this research. You will complete a worksheet containing 10 questions on pharmacology.
Product: Activity Participation
Format:
Short Answers, 10 problems on a worksheet
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
All - Assessment Task 2:Narrated Powerpoint
Goal:
This task develops your scientific communication skills. You will be provided with 8 topics related to pharmacology. Students will choose one of the topics and prepare a 4 min narrated powerpoint on the selected topic. The target audience will be a competent scientist who may not be familiar with the discipline of pharmacological science. A script of the dialogue presented in the narrated powerpoint is to be prepared using Word and submitted to SafeAssign. References are to be included at the end of the script.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Format:
Individual
4 Minute MP.4 format for the narrated powerpoint; 600 word script in Word.
Elements: 4 Minute narrated powerpoint, saved as an MP.4 file and submitted to Video Vault. The powerpoint will be a recording that is prepared by students on a topic that is provided by the Course Coordinator. The script of the dialogue, saved in Word and submitted to SafeAssign.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Solving problems by using evidence-based reasoning
1 2
2
Oral presentation using technology
3
3
Scientific communication
3
All - Assessment Task 3a:Practical exam Mid-semester
Goal:
This exam has been designed to allow you to demonstrate your laboratory skills, including your use of laboratory equipment and understanding of the principles of the laboratory work completed up to and including Week 8.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Format:
Students will complete laboratory tasks and be assessed on knowledge and understanding of pharmacology principles pertaining to the laboratory classes.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of the basic principles and concepts of pharmacology to clinically relevant situations;
1 2
2
Solving problems by using evidence-based reasoning, and where appropriate,
2
3
mathematical calculations
1 2
All - Assessment Task 3b:Examination Final
Goal:
This exam has been designed to allow you to demonstrate and apply knowledge, analyse relationships, and solve problems in pharmacology.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format:
2 hours (<1500 words), Multiple choice questions, short answer questions, problem solving, calculations based on material from learning materials, tutorials and laboratory activities.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of the basic principles and concepts of pharmacology to clinically relevant situations
1 2
2
Solving problems by using evidence-based reasoning, and where appropriate
1 2
3
mathematical calculations
2

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required James M. Ritter, Rod J. Flower, Graeme Henderson, Yoon Kong Loke, David MacEwan, Emma Robinson, James Fullerton 2024 Rang & Dale's Pharmacology 10th Edition Elsevier
Recommended Ian Peate 2022 Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Paramedics 1 Wiley-Blackwell

Specific requirements

Laboratory coat, safety glasses, closed in footwear, Calculator. Gloves will be provided in the laboratory.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all laboratory classes and a moderate level of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks are those associated with laboratory work such as working with chemicals and hazardous substances. You will be required to undertake laboratory induction training and it is also your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative): 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day 
- 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. 
To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
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  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au