Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
We live in a society where taking drugs – either as medicines or for recreational uses – is part of everyday life. Drugs that treat and prevent common diseases have benefited our health, and some have changed the course of human history. You have almost certainly taken medicines, perhaps even daily - but what do you know about where these drugs came from, or how they work?
In this unit, students will learn about a handful of drugs which have literally changed the world, for better and for worse. You will also learn about the different stages of drug development, and learn how to think more critically about the marketing, availability and consumption of drugs.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 1 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe at a basic level how drugs work in the body, and how the body processes drugs; (2) identify the broad scientific principles used to establish whether a new medicine has actual versus promised potential in the treatment of human disease; (3) critically describe the role played by pharmaceutical innovations in changing the health of human populations; (4) identify key drugs that produced significant changes in medicine or healthcare upon their discovery or introduction; and (5) critically describe the health and social impacts that accompany the use of any pharmaceutical products.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) examination; (2) summative assessments; and (3) Drug Discovery Assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Philippa Martyr and Dr Ricky Chen
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
eTutorials: 2 hours per fortnight - Note
- There is no prescribed textbook for this unit.
- Texts
- 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.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.