Online
Introduction
Pharmacology is the study of drugs, including their actions and effects on the human body. This unit introduces you to the discipline of pharmacology by examining key areas of health and disease, the mechanisms whereby drugs elicit responses, whether drug actions will be selective and long lasting and the nature of adverse effects of drug use. You will learn how common drugs target specific receptors in body tissues, exerting effects as either agonists or antagonists. The practical application of pharmacology is emphasised. An understanding of pharmacology is fundamental to your understanding of pharmaceutical products in terms of efficacy and safety, and provides a rationale for their therapeutic use. Topics covered in this unit include: Basic principles of pharmacology; Endocrine pharmacology; Autonomic nervous system pharmacology; Cardiovascular pharmacology; Respiratory pharmacology; CNS pharmacology; Pain pharmacology; Gastrointestinal pharmacology.
Summary
| Unit name | Pharmacology in Practice |
| Unit code | CSA236 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Health School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology |
| Discipline | Pharmacy |
| Coordinator | Professor Gregory Peterson |
| Available as an elective? | No |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Intermediate |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Health Study Period 3 |
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- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Study Period 3 | 2/11/2025 | 20/11/2025 | 18/12/2025 | 31/1/2026 |
* 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 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the pharmacology concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and how these can be applied when drugs or other chemicals are introduced to the body
- Explain the biochemical mechanisms of action of common drug classes, and how these can result in both beneficial and adverse physiological changes to the body
- Describe how common disease processes can be modified by the use of drugs or other chemicals.
- Apply knowledge of pharmacology to analyse a variety of case studies.
Fee Information
| 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 | $1,164.00 | $1,164.00 | not applicable | $2,726.00 |
- Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
- HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
- FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4
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 UniConnect 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
CXA107 or (CZZ101 AND CZZ102)Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | 3 x 1 hour Online lectures and 1-2 hour Online tutorial per week |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Early-semester written assessment (quiz) (30%)|Late-semester written assessment (quiz) (30%)|Written examination - Final (40%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
The following brief textbook presents a clear and accessible approach to the analysis of therapeutic agents at the cellular and molecular level through detailed diagrams, full-colour illustrations, and educational features. I use illustrations and diagrams from this textbook throughout the lecture notes. Neal MJ. Medical Pharmacology at a Glance. Wiley-Blackwell. For more detail and explanation, the following is recommended: Bryant B, Knights K. Pharmacology for Health Professionals. Mosby Elsevier. This is a useful introductory text that summarises the key principles of pharmacology. It has an easy-to-use format with summary diagrams and explanatory notes. |
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| Recommended | For students who are after a more detailed text, there are many suitable options. The following is one widely available option. Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM & Flower RJ. Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone. Recommended electronic resources There is a great resource via the UTAS library (Access Pharmacy): https://accesspharmacy-mhmedical-com.ezproxy.utas.edu.au/ The resource has many electronic textbooks, including in pharmacology and medicine. |
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