IMED2002 Blood and Drugs

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 2 core unit in the Medical Sciences; Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice major sequences
  • The area of knowledge for this unit is Life and Health Sciences
  • Category B broadening unit for students
Content
In this unit students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of two key disciplines of the biomedical sciences, Haematology (the study of blood and blood pathologies) and Pharmacology (the study of drugs and how they interact with our bodies), and an insight into how in some instances these disciplines may crossover (e.g. pharmacologic treatment of blood disorders).
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) define basic pharmacodynamics, drug-receptor interactions and molecular mechanisms of drug action; (2) understand the mechanisms of pharmacokinetics, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; (3) discuss the pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system; (4) understand pharmacokinetics in antimicrobial therapy; (5) describe adverse drug reactions; (6) understand the process of toxicology; (7) describe pharmacogenomics; (8) discuss blood and common blood pathologies, including haematopoiesis and related disorders; (9) define plasma lipoproteins, HDL and cholesterol; (10) understand red blood cell structure and function, including blood group typing; (11) describe leucocyte structure and function; (12) describe haemostasis; (13) describe the generation and effects of thrombi, embolism and infarction; (14) describe and discuss anticoagulant, antiplatelet and thrombolytic drugs; (15) define full blood count; (16) describe common tissue pathology and cytology; (17) understand the importance of health care professional interaction with the Pharmaceutical industry; and (18) gain an understanding of randomised and control drug trials.
Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) final examination; (2) in-semester tests; and (3) practical and tutorial session assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.
Unit Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Peter Henry and Dr Ricky Chen
Unit rules
Prerequisites:
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication and IMED1004 Understanding Health and Disease in People and Populations
Co-requisites:
IMED2001 Body Defences
Approved quota: 400—a place in the unit is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Selection is based on time of enrolment with first places given to students enrolled in this major as a degree-specific and second to students enrolled as a second major. Any remaining places are given to those students according to when they enrol until all places are filled.
Contact hours
lectures: 3 hours per week; tutorials: 6 hours per semester; practical sessions: 20 hours per semester
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus. Copies of textbooks and other readings will be made available for students to access from the Library, online wherever possible as well as in print.
  • If this unit is offered as on-campus face-to-face study only, students who are presently unable to enter Western Australia and whose studies would be delayed by an inability to complete this unit, should contact the unit coordinator (details given on this page) to ascertain, on an individual case-by-case basis, if alternate arrangements can be made to support their study in this unit.