Courses & Units

Pharmacology CSA231

Introduction

Pharmacology is the field of science that studies the function of drugs, their effects to living systems and how these living systems handle them. Since it describes the mechanisms of action of drugs in the body and the various interactions of the drug with parts of the body, it forms an essential part of medical knowledge. Pharmacology is taught as two individual but interconnected 12.5% Units (one each semester respectively).

This unit provides an introduction to the study of drugs: chemicals that affect living systems. Fundamental concepts of drug-target interactions and how our bodies handle drugs are outlined. The major part of the unit consists of a detailed account of the pharmacology of drugs that affect selected organ systems. The lecture themes provide a link between the basic knowledge of the pathophysiology of a particular organ system and the basic pharmacology of the drugs affecting that system, outlining their clinical and therapeutic perspective. The unit includes a number of clinical workshops that emphasize the application of drug therapy within the context of clinical scenarios.

This Unit focuses on two major organ systems: the endocrine system, and the central nervous system, where the pharmacology of drugs acting on these systems is discussed and studied. Each system corresponds to a series of lectures (themes), where the major drug classes and their therapeutic actions are discussed with respect to specific diseases. This unit aims also to develop student’s knowledge for the treatment of infectious diseases, with an emphasis on the appropriate use of antimicrobial therapy. The lecture themes provide a link between the basic knowledge of the pathophysiology of a particular organ system and the basic pharmacology of the drugs affecting that system, outlining their clinical and therapeutic perspective.

Summary

Unit name	Pharmacology
Unit code	CSA231
Credit points	12.5
College/School	College of Health and Medicine School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Discipline	Pharmacy
Coordinator	Doctor Vanni Caruso
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options	Available to
Hobart	Semester 1	On-Campus	International	Domestic
Hobart	Semester 2	On-Campus	International	Domestic
Hobart	Health Study Period 3	On-Campus	International	Domestic
Launceston	Health Study Period 3	On-Campus	International	Domestic
Cradle Coast	Health Study Period 3	On-Campus	International	Domestic

Key

: On-campus
: Off-Campus
: International students
: Domestic students

Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	20/2/2023	21/3/2023	10/4/2023	28/5/2023
Health Study Period 3	30/10/2023	17/11/2023	15/12/2023	28/1/2024
Semester 2	10/7/2023	8/8/2023	28/8/2023	15/10/2023

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2023 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2023 will be available from the 1st October 2022. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

Describe the principles of drug action and the pharmacological concepts involved in variability of drug response, drug interactions and drug toxicity
Explain the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and discuss factors that influence the routes of administration and dosing regimens.
Describe the mechanism of action, adverse effects and clinical use of commonly prescribed therapeutic agents.
Effectively search, evaluate, and communicate drug information and related literature.

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution ^1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution ^1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution ^2,3	Domestic Full Fee ⁴
019907	$1,037.00	$1,037.00	not applicable	$2,472.00

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

CZZ101 and CZZ102 for students in 54A OR CZZ102 and CSA230 for students in 54D

Concurrent Prerequisites

CSA230 only for students in 54A

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	1 x 1 hour lectorial weekly, 1 x 2hr or 3hr workshops weekly plus Online learning resources (equivalent to 2 hours of Independent Learning activity per week)
Assessment	In-workshop Quizzes (10%)\|Mid Semester Written test (25%)\|End of semester examination (35%)\|Case study-based assessment (20%)\|Oral assessment (10%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable \| View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.
Links	Booktopia textbook finder

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.