Unit Outline

This unit studies factors influencing the bioavailability and disposition of medications, and the application of this information to optimise the quality use of medicines in clinical practice. Particular emphasis is placed on the clinical role of the pharmacist and problem-solving in improving the use of medications through the practical application of pharmacokinetics. This information is also applicable to students not completing a pharmacy degree (e.g. to science-based students who wish to pursue a career in pharmaceutical industry or research). Topics include: Clinical Pharmacokinetics: Processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of medications; kinetics of intravenous and extravascular dosing, and relevant calculations. Biopharmaceutics: Concepts of bioavailability and bioequivalence (including generic substitution and biosimilars); factors influencing bioavailability (physiological and pharmaceutical); drug delivery systems and recent developments.

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.	Apply pharmacokinetic principles and calculations to solve clinical problems that may contribute to improved quality use of medicines.
2.	Describe various methods of drug delivery, select appropriate options based on individual patient circumstance, and outline relevant regulatory procedures governing generic and biosimilar medicines.
3.	Provide accurate and appropriate health and medicines advice to a range of consumers (including other health professionals).
4.	Search and evaluate drug information and pharmacy related literature.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CSA231 AND CSA230 AND All Year 1 BPharm Units

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

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:	Regular test	Week 2	15 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Paired written assignment	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Mid Semester Test	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Examination	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Regular test

Task Description:

You will undertake regular in-class tests during the timetabled workshops that will contain multiple-choice questions (MCQs) or short-answer questions (SAQs).

Task Length:

Approximately 10 minutes weekly

Due Date:

Week 2

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply individually reviewed contents to short questions	LO1, LO3
2	Search and evaluate drug information resources and/or pharmacy related literature	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Paired written assignment

Task Description:

This written assignment will require you to work in pairs to apply pharmacokinetic principles to practical scenarios, specifically focussing on theories related to half-life, volume of distribution and simple pharmacokinetic equations. You will also be expected to search and evaluate relevant drug information resources and scientific literature.

Task Length:

1000 - 1500 words

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply pharmacokinetic knowledge to real-life questions and scenarios including clinical cases	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Use appropriate language in the communication of drug interactions	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Search and evaluate drug information resources and/or pharmacy related literature	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Mid Semester Test

Task Description:

You will undertake a face to face mid-semester test that will include multi-choice questions (MCQs) and/or short-answer questions (SAQs).

Task Length:

50 minutes

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding of the topics covered so far in the unit and apply the knowledge gained	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 4: Examination

Task Description:

This will be a 2-hour written exam under formal exam conditions as set by the university. This exam will include a mix of theory and calculations. Further guidance on the exam format will be given during the semester.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding of the topics covered in the unit and apply the knowledge gained in the unit	LO1, LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

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.

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.