CSB421 Chemistry for Medicines

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

In their day-to-day activities, health professionals require a sound knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and biological actions of medicines, therapeutics and drugs. Such knowledge builds on foundational understandings of the biochemistry of the body and biomolecules and extends to encompass the molecular, chemical and physical properties of therapeutic agents, as well as how these properties influence their actions in living systems. Further, this unit provides the foundation knowledge underpinning more advanced studies in the clinical professions that work with, or administer therapeutics, e.g. pharmacy, podiatry, exercise and sports physiology, nutrition, dietetics.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Recall and apply knowledge and understanding of the basic molecular structures of drugs and therapeutics actions and how they interact with biomolecules;
2. Describe mechanisms of action for drugs and therapeutics within living systems;
3. Describe how molecular, chemical and physical properties of drugs (and formulations) affect their actions in living systems;
4. Demonstrate teamwork by working with your team to source and evaluate relevant literature in the investigation of a current therapeutic issue

Content

Learning Approaches

The content presented for this unit may be presented in face to face sessions, or via recorded online medium through Canvas. Videos are curated for weekly content to provide extra support on specific elements of material for those who require additional material. 

Through the teaching and learning activities and tasks, this unit will introduce and encourage the development of academic and scientific skills, and basic application of developing knowledge in pharmacotherapy. As a first year unit, required critical thinking skills are underpinned by academic and scientific thinking skills so your engagement with the learning activities and progressive tasks set in tutorials and assessment will strengthen your grasp of the complex knowledge presented and prepare you for subsequent complex problems later in your course.

This unit includes embedded support for learning from the Student Success Group's Language and Learning Educators. Students are referred early in semester to specialised chemistry clinics to access appropriate support where needed. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback will be available on your progress throughout the semester. Staff will give feedback in verbal feedback in class and written feedback as part of assessment. In the group assignment your peers will provide feedback on perceived performance within the team.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment items are designed to measure the achievement of the unit learning outcomes. All assessment contributes to your final mark and grade.

In the mid-semester exam you will answer multiple choice and short answer questions which will require you to apply your chemistry, biochemistry and medicines knowledge.

In the Problem Solving Task assessment you will work with a team applying your chemistry and molecular knowledge to a real-world therapeutic issue by researching your solutions and presenting your solution in an oral and written format.

In the Final Theory Exam you will answer multiple choice and short answer questions which will require you to apply knowledge of molecular concepts in the design and use of medicines.

You may be required to electronically submit all written assignments for content matching checks.

Group assessments are to be completed and submitted as a group. Individual submissions will receive a score of 0 for the assessment.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Mid-semester exam

A mid-semester exam will assess your knowledge and understanding of molecular, chemical and physical properties of drugs, therapeutic actions, interactions with biomolecules and their actions in living systems. 

This assessment is supported by formative quizzes that will help you to gain insight into the key concepts of weekly topics. In addition these formative quizzes will allow you to measure your performance in answering questions about these concepts to help you prepare for the mid-semester and final exams.

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

The task has been designed to assess your research, interpretation, evaluation and presentation of the literature to support an investigation of a therapeutic topic/issue relevant to the content and context of this unit.

Only the submission of documentation is an assignment for the purposes of an extension

This assessment is an introduction to case-based learning. Your team will be given a real-world therapeutic issue. As a team you will be guided on how to research the molecular aspects of this problem and introduced to writing a continuing professional development (CPD) style journal article. You will also learn how to present your findings to staff and peers in a short oral presentation.

Assessment: Examination (Theory)

The summative theory exam will use multiple choice and short answer questions to assess knowledge and your description of :

• the basic molecular structures of drugs and therapeutics actions and how they interact with biomolecules;
• mechanisms of action for drugs and therapeutics within living systems;
• how molecular, chemical and physical properties of drugs (and formulations) affect their actions in living systems.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Golan. (2008). Principles of Pharmacology. The Pathophysiological Basis of Drug Therapy (2nd ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Patrick. (2013). Medicinal Chemistry (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Sinko, P.J. (2011). Martin's Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (6th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus. More information on health and safety can be obtained from http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/

Course Learning Outcomes

CS47 Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

1. Demonstrate expertise in knowledge of medicines, including knowledge of the drug substance and drug action: sources, properties and actions of medicinal substances.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Mid-semester exam, Examination (Theory)
2. Demonstrate quality use of medicines including actions and recommendations for safe, rational and cost-effective use and management, prescribing, and medication reviews.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Mid-semester exam, Examination (Theory)
3. Demonstrate awareness of effective processes for facilitating learning.
   Relates to: ULO4, Problem Solving Task
4. Access, use, adapt and share information and/or other technologies to meet current and emerging needs of professional practice.
   Relates to: ULO4, Problem Solving Task