BVB212 Drug Action

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Introduction to the classification of bioactive compounds according to the various physiological systems they influence, such as the cardiovascular system, nervous system and respiratory system. The principles of drug action will be discussed, including the concepts of drug specificity, potency and efficacy. These principles will facilitate a basic understanding of toxicology, the development drug tolerance, addiction and withdrawal. Taught in the context human and veterinary medicine, as well as the use of drugs in sport, as poisons, or as food or environmental contaminants, it complements 'Drug Discovery and Design' offered in the same semester. The way in which chemical compounds affect biological cells and systems is fundamental to the study of medicines and toxins. The pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and pesticide industries are major economic forces which offer significant employment opportunities in science.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify the most common medicinal agents and describe their actions on key physiological systems
2. Explain the principles of drug action with reference to efficacy, potency, tolerance and dependence
3. Evaluate the usefulness of a medicinal compound in light of its wanted and unwanted effects
4. Demonstrate knowledge of toxins, their origins and effects

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will use a collaborative inquiry-based learning approach to study a biologically-active compound, including the history of its discovery, major actions, adverse effects and application in the fields of medicine, veterinary science, sports, or agriculture.

The basic principles of drug action will be learned through both laboratory classes using live tissues and computer simulations, where the actions of drugs can be examined on virtual organs and tissues.

You will be assigned problem-solving tasks, such as investigating a drug that has been the subject of controversy, causing both beneficial and harmful effects.

Workshops will be used to provide the scaffold of information necessary to support effective independent learning.

All learning activities will be face-to-face and due to the difficulty of recording workshop activities no on-line recordings will be available.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative assessment by rolling quizzes will give you practice and ongoing feedback on your knowledge and understanding of concepts throughout semester, with oral peer and teacher feedback in collaborative workshops. You will obtain written feedback on your assignment reports, which will be annotated and returned to you. Feedback from assignments and formative quizzes will prepare you well to improve your learning for the final theory exam.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit will be divided into three elements:

A scientific report detailing the actions and uses of a particular compound nominated by your lecturer.

A report which investigates a drug of your choice, dealing with its uses and adverse-effects, and analysing the claims and counter that have been claims made. 

A final examination involving multiple choice and short answer questions which require you to recall and integrate the knowledge gained throughout the semester.

If COVID-19 restrictions prevent the final examination from taking place, a report will be set as an alternative assessment.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Report

You will prepare a short written report concerning the various uses and mechanism of action of a drug nominated by your lecturer

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Literature Review

You will prepare a short literature review concerning a drug of your choice that has been the subject of controversy and possibly litigation due to its unwanted effects

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Final Exam

You will undertake a closed-book exam involving multiple choice and short answer questions.

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

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no unusual risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. 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 or in the field.

Animal welfare considerations:  During week 3, and subject to the approval of the University Animal Care and Ethics Committee, you may undertake an experiment using tissue obtained by your lecturer after they have killed a live animal. A detailed briefing of the procedure will be given in Week 2. If you have any concerns or a conscientious objection to the use of animals in teaching, please discuss these with your lecturer at the start of the course and suitable arrangements will be made.