Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 222)
Pharmacology subject : Next:534-202 | Search | Help

534-201 Pharmacology

Credit points: 12.0

Coordinator: Dr R Loiacono

Prerequisite: Chemistry 610-120, 610-140, 610-160; Biology 600-141 and 600-142 (Before 1996: 600-101 Biology). Exemption may be considered in special cases (e. g. students taking Psychology in first year)

Contact: 39 lectures (three a week)

Timetable: Second semester

Objectives:

By the end of the second year teaching program in Pharmacology (lectures) the student should:

Comprehend:

• the basic principles of drug action including how drugs are absorbed and distributed in the body;
• how they are eliminated and how they produce their pharmacological effects;
• how new drugs are developed from nature and by chemical synthesis and how drugs are evaluated;
• the roles of drugs in society and how drugs are controlled and regulated;
• aspects of the pharmacology of food and beverages; the mechanisms underlying drug abuse and potential strategies for dealing with the problem;
• aspects of the pharmacology of environmental contaminants and venoms and toxins and the principles of selective toxicity.

Have developed:

• skills to be able to interpret basic mechanisms of drug action;
• skills to be able to critically evaluate pharmacological literature;
• an appreciation of the importance of rational, critical, and independent thought in pharmacological sciences.

Appreciate:

• the importance of rational, critical and independent thought in pharmacological sciences.

Content:

Principles of drug action: physiological and biochemical basis of drug action; sites of drug action; mechanisms of drug action; drug receptors; absorption, distribution and elimination of drugs in the body; interaction of drugs with the nervous system; interaction of drugs with hormones and local hormones; pharmacology of groups of drugs used to treat disease; new drug development: drugs from nature, chemical synthesis; drug testing; drug abuse; mechanisms of drug dependence. Toxicology: environmental contaminants; selective toxicity; venoms and toxins; pharmacological aspects of nutrition.

Assessment:

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination; a 1-hour multiple choice exam. An oral examination may also be held for students who do not pass the written examination.

Pharmacology subject : Next:534-202 | Search | Help
Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 222)

Status:          Official 1996
Date created:    Oct  9 1995
Last modified:   Oct  9 1995
Authorised by:   Academic Registrar
Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au

Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.