CSB444 Molecular Basis of Medicines
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSB444 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CSB432 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,104 |
| International unit fee | $4,488 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CSB444 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSB432 |
| Coordinator: | Enoch Chan | enoch.chan@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit builds on your learning in CSB432, and will provide you with a strong foundation of knowledge to underpin the principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and drug development. You will gain an understanding of how biologically active molecules and medicinal substances interact with the body at a cellular and molecular level. This learning will underpin your understanding of pharmacological strategies used in people and will develop your understanding of quality use of medicines to provide a solid foundation for your clinical units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the cell structure, regulation of gene expression, and intracellular function of cells to explain the link to pharmacological targets.
- Demonstrate knowledge in molecular pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics
- Demonstrate problem solving skills to clinically relevant scenarios through application of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics to solve clinical problems, particularly in drug dosing.
- Collaborate with peers to source and interpret literature and communicate your findings to an educated non-expert audience
Content
The content of the unit includes:
- Molecular and cellular biology including cellular structure and function, mitosis, meiosis, and inheritance, gene expression and regulation, cell signalling and trafficking, the cell cycle, regulation of cell growth and cell death, stem cells and other contemporary concepts
- Molecular pharmacology and medicinal chemistry with the emphasis on neurotransmitters and associated drugs, drug interactions with drug targets, mechanism of action and therapeutic applications, target-oriented drug design and optimisation, and analytical methods
- Pharmacokinetics and including intravenous bolus and infusion dosing, oral and multiple dosing, hepatic and renal clearance of medicinal substances
- Pharmacogenomics
Learning Approaches
The content presented for this unit may be presented in face-to-face sessions, via video-conferencing, or recorded online medium through Canvas.
Working in groups and teams, you will engage in problem-solving activities completed in class, scaffolded by the theoretical underpinnings discussed in lectures, tutorials and other instructional digital media. This approach aims to develop your skills needed to become an effective problem solver when facing difficult or challenging situations, and offers experience in working through the complexity of factors, dynamics that are involved when working in multi-disciplinary teams. Formative quizzes online will support your self-directed learning and offer feedback on your grasp of the concepts presented.
Digital resources are embedded in the online unit platform to provide you with training to build your communication and teamwork skills. In addition, QUT Library provides individual assistance to you with researching, library skills, and citations in preparation for the group poster submission.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be given by peers and lecturers in individual and group learning.
Assessment
Overview
There are two pieces of assessment to be completed in this unit. Each task is designed to assess particular learning outcomes. For the purpose of professional accreditation and demonstration of competencies, an overall passing mark of at least 50% is required to obtain a passing grade for this unit.
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: Poster presentation
Working as a group, this research project is designed to develop your skills in research, collaboration, interpretation, evaluation, and presentation of information regarding medicines. To simulate real-world practice, each group will be assigned a unique clinical scenario of a patient requiring pharmacological treatments. Based on medical literature and clinical information, you will present therapeutic recommendations that will positively impact patient outcomes, along with the key areas of drug properties, including medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacogenomics. You are required to submit the presentation in a digital poster format and present it orally as a pharmacist to other health professionals.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam
This exam will assess your knowledge and ability to apply your understanding of molecular and cellular biology concepts, molecular pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacogenomics.
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.
Requirements to Study
Costs
Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the students responsibility.
Resources
Although there is no set text book for this unit, the following texts have been highlighted as useful references. Additional journal articles and video material will also be supplied on Canvas throughout the course of this unit.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Alberts, B. Molecular biology and the cell, 6th ed, Garland Science, 2015.
Golan, D. Principles of pharmacology: the pathophysiologic basis of drug therapy, 4th ed, Wolters Kluwer Health, 2017.
Roche, V. F. Foye's principles of medicinal chemistry, 7th ed, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.
Rowland, M. Tozer, T. N. Rowland and Tozer’s clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: concepts and applications, Wolters Kluwer, 2020.
Safety and protective equipment
Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:
1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.
If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS47 Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
- 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, ULO4, Poster presentation, Exam - Demonstrate the formulation and compounding of safe, efficacious and high-quality medicinal products tailored to individual needs.
Relates to: ULO3, Poster presentation, Exam - Collaborate and share decision-making in partnership with the interprofessional health care team to optimise patient outcomes, and with patients, clients and carers respecting roles, privacy and choices.
Relates to: Poster presentation - Demonstrate quality use of medicines including actions and recommendations for safe, rational and cost-effective use and management, prescribing, and medication reviews.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Poster presentation, Exam - Access, use, adapt and share information and/or other technologies to meet current and emerging needs of professional practice.
Relates to: Poster presentation