Outline

Overview

Pharmacology is the study of the properties and biological actions of drugs and chemicals and the keys role they play in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. In this unit of study you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts in pharmacology: a) principles of drug action, b) pharmacokinetics and precision medicine, c) drug design, and d) drug development and regulation. Additionally, you will learn the tools pharmacologists use in their investigations and develop skills in laboratory and problem-based enquiry. In both face-to-face and online learning environments you will learn the core concepts underpinning pharmacology and will have the opportunity to explore and apply these concepts through practicals, computer-aided learning and problem-based workshops. By undertaking this unit you will not only learn to view health and disease through the lens of a pharmacologist, you will further develop valuable skills in critical thinking and problem solving, communication, digital literacy, teamwork and interdisciplinary effectiveness. This unit will help you to develop a coherent and connected knowledge of the medical sciences and their broad applications, while also giving you the foundations for increasing your disciplinary expertise in pharmacology.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PCOL2021
Academic unit	Pharmacy
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	PCOL2555 or PCOL2011 or MEDS2002 or BMED2401 or BMED2801 or BMED2802 or BMED2804 or BMED2805 or BMED2806 or BMED2807 or BMED2808 or MEDS2002
Prerequisites ?	CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	[(BIOL1XX7 or MBLG1XX1) or (MEDS1X01 or BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tina Hinton, tina.hinton@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final Exam Timed, proctored examination via Canvas	40%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Oral presentation Slide presentation on a topic identified and chosen in EBL workshop	10%	Multiple weeks	5 min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	EBL research article Research article on a topic identified and chosen in EBL workshop	10%	Multiple weeks	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Continuous assessment 4 quizzes, one at the end of each module.	10%	Please select a valid week from the list below	15 min to answer 10 questions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Concentration-response curves exercises Exercises relating to concentration-response curves practical and workshop	12.5%	Week 05	answers to questions and peer review
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Cholinesterases and inhibitors exercises Exercises relating to cholinesterases and inhibitors practical and workshop	12.5%	Week 13	answers to questions and peer review
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Personal reflection Personal reflection on your learning	5%	Week 13	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Continuous assessment

This involves 4 quizzes at the end of each module containing 10 multiple choice questions that you will need to answer online within 15 minutes from starting each quiz. See your Canvas site for more information.

Concentration-response curve exercises

This involves short answer questions and calculations relating to theoretical bases, rationale, experimental design, experimental setup, measurement principles, graphs, calculations, implications of results, and answers to questions related to the Concentration-response curves practical and data workshop. The assignment is worth 10% of your overall mark. Associated with this assessment is a 2.5% individual peer review. You will be given ONE week to complete this assignment from the date of the workshop for which you are timetabled. See your Canvas site for more information.

Cholinesterases and inhibitors practical exercises

This involves short answer questions and calculations relating to theoretical bases, rationale, experimental design, experimental setup, measurement principles, graphs, calculations, implications of results, and answers to questions related to the Cholinesterases and inhibitors practical and data workshop. The assignment is worth 10% of your overall mark. Associated with this assessment is a 2.5% individual peer review. You will be given ONE week to complete this assignment from the date of the workshop for which you are timetabled. See your Canvas site for more information.

EBL research article

This involves a written research article (~500 words) on a topic identified and chosen in one of the three EBL workshops and will require integration of information from lectures and independent research to create a concise research article

EBL oral presentation

This involves a PowerPoint/Keynote presentation on a topic identified and chosen in one of the three EBL workshops and will require integration of information from lectures and independent research to create a short oral presentation

Personal reflection

This involves reflective practice resulting in a 500 word reflection on what and how you learnt in the course of this unit of study and how your perspective has changed as a result. This personal reflection is worth 10% of your unit mark.

End of semester exam

All material in the unit of study is examinable, but not all material can be examined within the constraints of the formal assessment process. There is one final examination lasting 1.5 hours containing multiple choice and short answer questions, worth 40% of your unit mark. Sample questions will be provided for you to familiarise yourself with the question types

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	Work of exceptional standard: Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding level.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of superior standard: Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a superior level.
Credit	65 - 74	Competent work demonstrating potential for higher study: Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement; occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level.
Pass	50 - 64	Work of acceptable standard: Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level.
Fail	0 - 49	Work not of acceptable standard: Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit.

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:

All assignments must be submitted by the due date and quizzes and exams attended when they are scheduled. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form or request will incur penalties. Failure to meet assessment deadlines will incur mark deductions of 5% of the maximum awardable mark available for every day past the due date (for electronic submissions, days late includes Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days, until the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero. For example, on an assignment given a mark of 70/100, the penalty would be 5 marks if submitted up to 24 hours late, resulting in a final mark of 65/100. If the assignment is submitted 6 days late, the penalty would be 30 marks and the final mark would be 40/100. If the assignment is more than 10 days late, submitted after the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students, the final mark will be 0/100.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	X- Lab Orientation	Practical (4 hr)
	1. Introduction to Pharmacology and PCOL2021	Lecture (1 hr)
	2. Introduction to pharmacodynamics, definitions and nomenclature	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	EBL Introduction and EBL1A - More is not better	Workshop (3 hr)
	3. Autonomic pharmacology	Lecture (1 hr)
	4. Receptor theory and targets of drug action	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Concentration-response curves: Experiments on guinea pig ileum simulation	Practical (4 hr)
	5. Agonists	Lecture (1 hr)
	6. Antagonists	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Concentration-response curves data workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
	7. Research-led seminar: GPCRs, biased agonism and concentration-responses	Lecture (1 hr)
	8. Revision and feedback session	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	EBL1B - More is not better	Workshop (2 hr)
	9. Absorption and distribution	Lecture (1 hr)
	10. Metabolism and pharmacogenomics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics	Practical (4 hr)
	11. Excretion	Lecture (1 hr)
	12. Pharmacokinetics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	EBL2A - Why can't I drink?	Workshop (2 hr)
	13. Research-led seminar: Drug-drug interactions	Lecture (1 hr)
	14. Revision and feedback session	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	EBL2B - Why can't I drink?	Workshop (2 hr)
	15. Introduction to molecular pharmacology and drug discovery	Lecture (1 hr)
	16. The shape and properties of drugs	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	EBL3A - Curry crisis!	Workshop (2 hr)
	17. How drugs interact with their targets 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	18. How drugs interact with their targets 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	EBL3B - Curry crisis!	Workshop (2 hr)
	19. Research-led seminar: Discovery and development of new drugs to treat pain	Lecture (1 hr)
	20. Revision and feedback session	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Cholinesterases and inhibitors	Practical (4 hr)
	21. Introduction to drug development and regulation	Lecture (1 hr)
	22. Preclinical pharmacology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Cholinesterases and inhibitors data workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
	23. Toxicology	Lecture (1 hr)
	24. Clinical trials	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Molecular modelling of cholinergic compounds	Practical (4 hr)
	25. Research-led seminar: Drug development case studies - the good, the bad and the ugly	Lecture (1 hr)
	26. Revision, feedback and exam preparation session	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The University of Sydney Coursework Policy 2014 states:

55 (2) A student enrolled in a unit of study must comply with the requirements set out in the faculty resolutions, award course resolutions or unit of study outline about undertaking the unit of study, including on matters such as: (a) attendance at and participation in lectures, seminars and tutorials; and (b) participation in practical work.

The Faculty of Science resolutions states:

9(1). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean.

Thus, attendance at a minimum of 80% of all timetabled classes is compulsory for successful completion of the course. Attendance will be recorded. If you do not show sufficient cause for absence from any part of the course you may not be allowed to sit the final examination. Absences from scheduled practical, workshop or tutorial sessions must be supported by appropriate documentation (also see Guidelines for Special Consideration/Arrangements for important information relating to absence from scheduled classes). It may be possible to attend a different practical or tutorial session by special arrangement with the UoS coordinator.

NOTE Students who have selected the remote learning option must attend all scheduled classes remotely and attendance will be recorded at all sessions.

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.

Required readings

Prescribed readings

Recommended Textbook

J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson, Y.K. Loke, D.J. MacEwan and H.P. Rang: Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology, 9th ed (Churchill Livingstone, 2020)

Study Aid

M.J. Neal: Medical Pharmacology at a Glance 7th ed (Blackwell Scientific Publications, 2012)

Readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available in the Canvas site for this unit. For general reading see Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, Trends in Neuroscience, Australian Prescriber, Current Therapeutics

Web Resources

Links to appropriate web resources can be found under the Web Resources tab on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. describe important drug targets and drug actions at the cellular and molecular levels
LO2. explain the relationship between concentration and effect and derive important drug parameters from concentration-effect curves
LO3. discuss how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted and the factors affecting their deposition in the body
LO4. explain the relationship between molecular structure and drug activity
LO5. outline the processes involved in drug discovery, development and regulation
LO6. describe experimental methods used in pharmacological enquiry and conduct laboratory experiments using a variety of instruments and assays
LO7. describe the essential components of an experimental design and analyse (using statistics), interpret and critique data arising from laboratory experiments
LO8. use digital and other sources of information and technologies to research and identify information and critically evaluate the credibility of information sources and information for reliability and relevance
LO9. communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means
LO10. work collaboratively and effectively with peers in group- and team-based learning activities and assessments
LO11. demonstrate the capacity for self reflection as well as reflection on the relevance of pharmacology to society.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Close the loop feedback on your Unit of Study Survey feedback will be provided following the release of marks.

Additional information

Be sure to read the policy and additional information on your unit Canvas site

Science student portal

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PCOL2021: Key Concepts in Pharmacology

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect