Unit Outline
CSA231
Pharmacology
Health Study Period 3, 2024
Mackenzie Williams
School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Mackenzie Williams
Email: Mackenzie.Williams@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit provides an introduction to the study of therapeutic agents, probing into the fundamental concepts of therapeutic agent-target interactions and the intricate processes governing therapeutic agent metabolism within the human body. A major part of the unit consists of a detailed account of the pharmacology of therapeutic agents that affect selected organ systems. The content connects the foundational knowledge of organ system pathophysiology and the basic pharmacology of therapeutic agents affecting that system.  The unit focuses on the central nervous system, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal systems. In addition, this unit will cover the therapeutic agents used to manage pain, autoimmune disease and ophthalmological conditions.  You will gain a deep understanding of how therapeutic agents impact these crucial physiological pathways.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Describe the effect of agonism and antagonism on the pharmacological effect of therapeutic agents.
2
Explain the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents.
3
Explore the mechanisms of action of therapeutic agents, emphasising both their intended effects and potential adverse effects
4
Communicate pharmacological concepts clearly and effectively, both in written and oral forms.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
CZZ101 and CZZ102 and CSA116
Concurrent Pre-requisite
CSA230
Alterations as a result of student feedback
In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit. 
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
1 x 3hr workshops weekly (7 weeks)
3
Weekly
Independent Learning
Self-directed learning
3
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Oral assessment
Week 2
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Mid Semester test
Week 6
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
End of semester examination
Exam Period
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Oral assessment
Task Description:
You will undertake oral assessments every week in workshops. An average of your marks throughout the semester will contribute to the grade for this particular assessment.
Task Length:
5 minutes
Due Date:
Week 2
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explain the mechanisms of action and adverse effects of drugs affecting the human body.
LO3
2
Explain pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts.
LO2
3
Explain the impact of agonism and antagonism on the pharmacological effect of therapeutic agents.
LO1
4
Communicate pharmacological concepts orally.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Mid Semester test
Task Description:
You will complete an online, face-to-face mid semester test comprised of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions based on the content of the online modules.
Examination - invigilated (internally)
Task Length:
50 minutes
Due Date:
Week 6
Weight:
30 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explain the mechanisms of action and adverse effects of drugs affecting the human body.
LO3
2
Explain pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts.
LO2
3
Explain the impact of agonism and antagonism on the pharmacological effect of therapeutic agents.
LO1
4
Communicate pharmacological concepts in written form.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: End of semester examination
Task Description:
You will complete an online, face-to-face examination comprised of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions based on the content of the online modules and workshops. Examination - invigilated (internally)
Task Length:
2 hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explain the mechanisms of action and adverse effects of drugs affecting the human body.
LO3
2
Explain pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts.
LO2
3
Explain the impact of agonism and antagonism on the pharmacological effect of therapeutic agents.
LO1
4
Communicate pharmacological concepts in written form.
LO4
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 

 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Although there are no prescribed textbooks for Pharmacology the following textbook is recommended, as it will be a useful resource throughout your studies in this Unit.
Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology, Eighth edition, Churchill Livingstone.
 
Recommended reading materials
These materials will be useful to your developing knowledge and understanding of the content in this unit, but you are not required to purchase them. When seeking sources of evidence to support your assignment work, you will find these a useful starting point. These materials are available for a limited loan period from the University Library collection.
  •  Katzung BG, Masters, SB & Trevor, AJ (12th ed). Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 11th edition, McGraw-Hill, ISBN 978-0-07-160405-5.
  •  Pharmacology: An Introduction (Edition 6e) by Hitner & Nagle.
  •  Golan D, Tashjian AH, Armstrong EJ, Armstrong AW (3rd ed) Principles of Pharmacology, “The Pathophysiological Basis of Drug Therapy”. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins - Wolter Kluwer, ISBN 978-0-60831-270-2
 
Other required resources