LQB600 Pharmacology

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

An understanding of pharmacology and how drugs interact with physiological systems is important for biomedical scientists. This unit will extend your knowledge of systems physiology/pathophysiology gained in Medical Physiology 1 (LQB388) and Medical Physiology 2 (LQB488) and help you understand the principles behind the use of medicines, as well as the rationale for the development of new drugs. There will be an emphasis on learning about the major mechanisms of drug action. This unit will focus on common diseases and a number of body systems, including the peripheral and central nervous systems, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and endocrine system. This unit will prepare you for working in the field of clinical physiology, or for further studies in allied health, or medicine, and provide an understanding of the physiological basis of pharmacology for students interested in undertaking research in this exciting specialism.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply an advanced understanding of the physiological basis of pharmacology;
2. Explain the critical concepts of drug-receptor interactions and the ways in which endogenous chemicals, neurotransmitters and drugs cause effects in organ systems;
3. Apply an understanding of the basis of variable responses of patients to medicines in the patient population.
4. Interpret, analyse and communicate data and results from laboratory practical experiments at an advanced level and be able to reference the literature appropriately.

Content

Learning Approaches

The Canvas site will provide you with resources including pre-recorded lectures, research papers, media articles and videos to expand your knowledge and understanding of pharmacology. The learning resources will be reinforced with laboratory practicals which will instruct you to prepare adequately for laboratory work, to record data accurately, validate and verify results, and be competent in complex manipulations and calculations that are common in research work and consistent with development of best professional practice. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided through:-
1. Formative assessment items made available through QUT Canvas.
2. Personalized or general on line contact with tutors/lecturers 

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will comprise of a report based on practical work, a proposal, and a final examination. The report relates to practical experiments carried out in the laboratory that complements and reinforces lecture material. The proposal will be a written outline of a conceptual project. These assessments are designed to develop essential skills that are utilised by biomedical scientists in their careers. The final examination will assess your understanding of material delivered during lectures and complemented by practical work. The assessments will determine the level of understanding of basic and clinical concepts of pharmacology.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Report

It is important that laboratory scientists are able to effectively and efficiently communicate data obtained from their laboratory experiments.  This assessment will be a concise, informative report of the practical experiments you will have performed, and will include a presentation of data, analysis, discussion and conclusions. This report will conform to the organisational structure for a standard scientific journal article.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Proposal

Specific laboratories may be invited to carry out specialised research for the pharmaceutical industry, according to their expertise and knowledge. This assessment will comprise a written outline of a proposed project defining the key points that will be achieved by that project. The project proposal will outline the research question, purpose, aims, significance of the research, and a literature review.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Examination (invigilated)

Examination questions will be used to assess your level of understanding of learning material presented in lectures and reinforced in workshops. Question types comprises extended answer and essay questions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

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.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Ritter, J., Flower, R. J., Henderson, G., Loke, Y. K., MacEwan, D. J., Robinson, E. S. J., & Fullerton, J. (2024). Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology (Tenth edition). Elsevier.

Safety and protective equipment

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:

1. Laboratory Coat - 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.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Examination (invigilated)
2. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Report, Proposal, Examination (invigilated)
3. Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team and demonstrate professional behaviour.
   Relates to: Report, Proposal
4. Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
   Relates to: Report, Proposal