LQB600 Pharmacology

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

An appreciation of pharmacology and how drugs interact with physiological systems is important for biomedical scientists. This unit will extend your understanding 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 field.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the physiological basis of pharmacology;
2. Understand the critical concepts of drug-receptor interactions and the ways in which endogenous chemicals, neurotransmitters and drugs cause effects in organ systems;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basis of variable reponses of medicines in the patient population;
4. Demonstrate an advanced ability to interpret, analyse and communicate data from laboratory practical experiments

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you will be taught by pharmacologists and physiologists  that are actively researching in the field at QUT. On line lecture material will be provided as a basis upon which to expand your knowledge of pharmacology. Lecture material will be will be reinforced with laboratory practicals.

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  two reports based on practical work and a final examination. The reports are of practical experiments  carried out in the laboratory that complements and reinforce lecture material. They are designed to develop essential skills that are utilized 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: Practical Report 1

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

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Practical Report 2

Specific laboratories may be invited  to carry out specialized research for the pharmaceutical industry, according to their expertise and knowledge. This assessment will comprise of  a report based on laboratory experiments performed by you, presentation of data, analysis and a discussion of key performance indicators suitable for pharmaceutical industry. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Final Examination

Examination questions will be used to assess your level of understanding of material presented in lectures and reinforced in workshops.

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

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: Final Examination
2. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Practical Report 1, Practical Report 2, Final Examination
3. Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team, by demonstrating professional behaviour and participating in continuous learning.
   Relates to: Practical Report 1, Practical Report 2
4. Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
   Relates to: Practical Report 1, Practical Report 2