Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology (8342.1)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Flexible
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Pharmacy Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit introduces students to the basic concepts of pharmacology and toxicology. Topics covered will include the fundamentals of drug action and the molecular basis of drug and toxicant disposition. This unit will also investigate the pharmacologic mechanisms by which chemicals may interfere with physiologic functions to cause unwanted effects. Methods used for investigating chemical toxicity, such as hazard identification and risk assessment, will also be explored.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand the pharmacology underlying dose response relationships, sites of absorption, distribution and excretion, as well as chemical and biological factors affecting disposition and metabolism of drugs;
2. Appreciate the toxicity caused when chemicals interfere with physiologic functions;
3. Apply their knowledge of toxicology to the methods used to detect and monitor toxicity; and
4. Develop their generic skills and attributes in information literacy and numeracy, information and communication technology and lifelong learning.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings


Prerequisites

Biochemistry

Corequisites

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 Flexible Dr Thilini Salpahewage
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Required text:

  • Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology [Custom Edition for Canberra University]. The ebook is available from https://www.elsevierhealth.com.au/ 

This is a customised e-book for UC students who study this unit. The e-book contains relevant chapters aligned with the unit modules, all in one place that can be directly purhcased from Elsevier website. Alternatively the exact same chapters can be obtained from multiple original resrouces as below and also as indicated at the begining of each lecture note. Further information is available on the unit's Canvas page.

Recommended texts: 

Recommended for Pharmacology

  • *Brunton LL, Chabner BA and Knollmann BC, Goodman & Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics, Current edition. McGraw-Hill Medical, New York .  RM121.G6 2011 (Also available online via the University of Canberra library)
  • Golan DE, Tashjian AH, Armstrong EJ, Armstrong AW. Principles of Pharmacology; the pathophysiologic basis of drug therapy. Current edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. RM301.P65 2017  (Includes a free online resource at thepoint.lww.com)

Recommended for Toxicology

  • *Klassen CD and Watkins JB, Casarett and Doull's Essentials of Toxicology, Current edition. New York: McGraw Hill. RA1211.C298 2010
  • Klassen CD, Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons,  Current edition. New York: McGraw Hill.  RA1211.C296 2008
  • Timbrell J. Introduction to Toxicology. Current dition Boca Raton: CRC Press. RA1211.T56 2002

These textbooks are available for temporary loan in the University of Canberra Library

(*) indicates text preferred by unit convener

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Any assessment item submitted WITHOUT the specified information on the first page will be returned to the student and not marked until this requirement is met.  Late penalties will be applied (see below).

The following conditions will apply to late submissions without an approved extension:

  • Mark adjustment: 5% of the maximum mark available for the assessment task will be deducted for each day late up until seven days late. For example an essay awarded 60% (60/100) submitted 2 days late will receive a mark adjustment of 5% per day, therefore, the adjusted maximum mark for that item will be 50% (50/100).
  • Similarly, if the weighting is used then a piece of work worth 50% of the unit which received 30/50 would be reduced by 2.5 marks per day (i.e. 5% of 50) and would therefore receive a maximum adjusted mark of 25/50 if late by two days.
  • Submissions received more than 7 days after the prescribed date and time will not be accepted for marking, a mark of zero (0) will be awarded for the item.
  • For the purposes of these penalties, all days of the week count, including weekends and public holidays, even when the University may be closed.
  • The minimum possible mark for late submission is zero.
  • For clarification, one (1) minute past the specified due date and time is considered a late submission.

It is students' responsibility to be familiar with the electronic submission process (e.g., the use of CANVAS and OURIGINAL. Students are reminded to ensure they plan well enabling adequate time to submit assessments prior to the deadline, in order to avoid a mark adjustment.

Extensions to assignments, placements, deferred intra-semester tests and examinations 

Students can apply for an extension to the due date for submission/completion of an assessment item on the grounds of illness or other unavoidable and verifiable personal circumstances (specific details are found through the Assessment Policy and Procedures Section 9.12). Extensions must be applied for before the due date as outlined above. For illness on the day of the assessment, the Assignment Extension form with relevant documentation must be lodged to the Unit Convener within three days of the scheduled exam, test, assignment, placement or assessment submission.

It should be noted that such documentation will be considered but will not guarantee that the extension application will be successful. The Unit Convener will decide whether to grant an extension and the length or availability of the extension.

Students are only permitted one extension per assignment and one deferral per examination/test/ placement (on the grounds of illness or other unavoidable and verifiable personal circumstances as per UC policies) unless otherwise approved. Students must make themselves available for deferred exams and tests which will be scheduled by the unit convenor no later than the Friday of Week 11. For placements, please refer to the unit's site for further details and requirements. Students are NOT PERMITTED to defer a deferred intra-semester exam, test or placement. Any student unable to undertake the deferred intra-semester exam, test, assignment or placement will receive a mark of zero or fail grade for the assessment task.

Students should note that this policy does not apply to deferred final exams which are centrally administered by the examinations office.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Supplementary Academic Integrity Information

Contract cheating

 

 Contract cheating (academic outsourcing / ghost-writing) is a form of academic misconduct in which students submit written or creative work which has been drafted or produced by someone else and claim authorship for it.  It includes (but is not limited to) using a third party, offering their services for commercial or other benefits, to complete (either partially or fully) an assignment or other assessment items on behalf of the student.  

 

You are at risk of contract cheating if you ask someone to:

  • complete an assignment for you
  • substantially edit your assignment
  • do your university work for you, with or without compensation
  • check test or quiz answers
  • sit a test or quiz for you
  • provide someone with your UC login details

You may also be at risk of contract cheating if you provide information to people or organisations outside UC, such as:

  • assignment questions and briefs
  • lecture notes
  • marking rubrics and marking guides

 

Students should note that sharing their assignments (current or previously submitted assignments) may result in referral to the Associate Dean of Education for investigation.

 

UC considers contract cheating serious misconduct which may attract suspension or exclusion from the university.  Furthermore, we, as your education provider, have mandatory reporting responsibilities under National Law.  We are required to notify the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) if we believe that a registered health practitioner (including those with student registration) has behaved in a way that constitutes notifiable conduct including signature departure from accepted professional standards.  Contract cheating may also result in UC submitting a mandatory notification to AHPRA.

 

You can learn more about contract cheating in the Academic Integrity Module - which is a compulsory module that provides information about a range of issues including plagiarism and contract cheating.  UC provides a range of services to support student learning - further information regarding Study Skills, Studiosity and Medical & Counselling services are available in your unit's Canvas site.

 

 

 

 
 

Inclusion and engagement

It is strongly recommended that students who need assistance in undertaking the unit because of disability or an ongoing health condition register with the Inclusion and Engagement Office as soon as possible so that reasonable adjustment arrangements can be made.

Participation requirements

This unit is flexibe with online contents. There are optional online tutorials/ drop-in sessions. Participation is only required in the final exam.

Required IT skills

Students should be conversant with searching for and accessing information via electronic means; the use of UC Learn (Canvas); and word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Students should have reliable internet access.

To improve your skills in literature searching please utilise the services provided by the UC Library.

See http://www.canberra.edu.au/library/research-gateway 

In-unit costs

  • Self-printing of electronically provided material
  • Access to a computer and internet service
  • Scientific non-programmable calculator

Work placement, internships or practicums

This Unit does NOT contain any Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activities (clinical placements and externships).

Additional information

Style Guide for report formatting

Unless otherwise approved (in writing), all written assessment pieces (formative and summative) must conform to the following requirements:

  • Headings in bold, maximum font size 16 pt.
  • Font size: 12 pt – Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri.
  • Margins no less than 1.5cm on all sides.
  • Page number at bottom right hand corner of footer.
  • Student identification number (number only) at top right hand corner of header.
  • References given in NLM/Vancouver style (chronological numeric) ONLY. Information on this referencing styles can be found on the library website  at https://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=599301&p=4149536
  • Privacy statements if required.
  • Assignment requirements (first page) as per Section 5b above.
  • Any word limits specified in assignments (in this Unit Outline or in task descriptions on Canvas) will INCLUDE all tables, figures and appendices, but EXCLUDE references (unless otherwise stated).
  • Submissions which exceed the specified word (or page) length will be truncated at the word (or page) limit and only assessed to this point.

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