Skip to main content
Unit of study_

NURS2001: Introduction to Pharmacology

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Mallett Street, Sydney

This introductory pharmacology unit will enable students to develop an understanding of drug action, the relationship between molecular structure and drug activity, drug metabolism and dosage and some therapeutic uses of drugs. Through tutorials and clinical laboratory sessions students will have an opportunity to apply the underlying principle of pharmacology to their nursing practice to: 1. Search evidence-based drug information sources for relevant information 2. Apply and integrate the evidence based pharmacological information to simple case studies to optimise knowledge of safe medication management Students will also learn about the legal and professional requirements associated with the quality use of medications in nursing practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS2001
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
36 Year 1 credit points including NURS1001 and NURS1005
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ronald Castelino, ronald.castelino@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Online Written examination
Short/long answer and MCQ
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
In-semester test Case based questions
Short answer and Multiple Choice Questions
40% Week 09 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

With Medical certificates and Spc Con approvals replacement exams will be provided

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. Quality use of medicines Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Pharmacokinetics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 03 Pharmacodynamics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 04 Autonomic nervous system Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 05 Liver disease Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 1. Liver disease; 2. Renal disease Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 Renal disease Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 08 Antimicrobials Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 Gastrointestinal system Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 10 Musculoskeletal system Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 11 Musculoskeletal system Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 12 Haematology and coagulation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 13 1. Urinary incontinence; 2. Exam preparation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to attend 90% of all lectures and 100% of tutorials which are supplemented with additional readings. Students are required to contact the unit of study coordinator if they know they will miss a class due to illness or misadventure and must provide evidence to explain their absence. It is expected that students will engage effectively in all components of the unit of study.
  • Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 6th Edition, 2010 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of drug targets and drug actions at the molecular level and the relationship between molecular structure and drug activity
  • LO2. describe the mechanism of action of some common therapeutic drugs, and consider their associated risks and benefits
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of how drugs are metabolised and the factors affecting their deposition in the body
  • LO4. find and critically evaluate evidence-based drug information with respect to quality and relevance for informing decision making in nursing practice
  • LO5. identify where adjustments in dosage and management would be necessary due to age or organ failure
  • LO6. apply and integrate evidence-based pharmacotherapy knowledge to case studies involving patients with different pathologies in ways which optimise safe medication management
  • LO7. describe the legal and professional requirements associated with the quality use of medicine in nursing practice.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

'No changes have been made since this unit was last offered'.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.