UWA Handbook 2024

Unit Overview

Description

This unit provides students with state of the art insights into how drugs affect physiological and pathological systems. The laboratories in the unit complement the lecture topics in PHAR3310 Molecular Pharmacology to give students mechanistic and experimental insights into receptor structure/function analyses and signal transduction, hypothesis testing and data analysis, drug metabolism and the production of toxic metabolites and genetic differences affecting drug metabolism. In addition, students participate in a seminar series on current pharmacological and toxicological innovations and controversies. The seminars are designed for students to develop oral communication skills and audience participation by active listening and questioning.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Pharmacology major sequence

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) exhibit proficiency in a wide range of experimental techniques, demonstrated by the correct use of equipment and the ability to complete tasks efficiently and accurately, for example smooth muscle contractility in organ baths and protein gels and immunoblotting.; (2) analyse and interpret laboratory data then explain coherently and logically in reports.; (3) integrate the experimental aspects of particular pharmacology topics covered in this unit with the theoretical aspects of these topics taught in the co-requisite unit, PHAR3310.; and (4) critically appraise a topic of broad pharmacological or toxicological interest in an oral seminar presentation and demonstrate understanding of the topic by answering audience questions in sufficient depth..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) laboratory assessments and poster presentation for receptor characterisation project; (2) oral seminar presentation; and (3) laboratory assessments and reports for remaining laboratory sessions. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Fiona Pixley {00062442} ~ A/Prof Steve Mutsaers {00046737}

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

PHAR2210 Foundations of Pharmacology
and PHAR2220 Human Pharmacology ,

or Successful completion of IMED2002 Blood and Drugs and

IMED2001 Body Defences
or IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
or IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics

Co-requisites

Enrolment in

PHAR3310 Molecular Pharmacology

Incompatibility

PHAR3303 Drugs and Disease A,
and PATH3304 Drugs and Disease B

Advisable prior study

12 points of Level 2 biochemistry (BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell,
and BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function).
or 12 points of Level 2 physiology (PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems,
and PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells)

Contact hours

laboratory sessions: 5 hours per week for 11 weeks from week 1
seminars: 4 hours per week for 1 week