Unit Outline

This unit explores the factors that influence the bioavailability and disposition of medications, emphasising their practical application to enhance the quality use of medicines in clinical pharmacy practice. Topics encompass: the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of medications, along with pertinent influencing factors; basic pharmacokinetic calculations and therapeutic drug monitoring; the kinetics of various routes of administration and drug delivery systems; and, the significance of bioavailability and bioequivalence, particularly in the context of generic medication testing and biosimilars.

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	Resolve clinical problems and improve the quality use of medicines by applying pharmacokinetic principles.
2	Perform pharmacokinetic calculations and consider the implications on clinical practice.
3	Develop and deliver health and medicines education and/or advice for a range of audiences.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CSA231 AND CSA230
Concurrent Pre-requisite	CSA322 and CSA306

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may 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.

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:	In-class quizzes	Week 2	10 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Portfolio	Week 3	30 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Mid Semester Test	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Examination	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: In-class quizzes

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).

Due Date: commencing week 2

Task Length:

Approximately 10 minutes weekly

Due Date:

Week 2

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe and apply pharmacokinetic principles to resolve clinical problems and improve the quality use of medicines.	LO1
2	Perform and interpret pharmacokinetic calculations.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Portfolio

Task Description:

You will be required to build an individual portfolio of short videos that demonstrates the communication of pharmacokinetic principles to a variety of audiences utilising audiovisual media.

Task Length:

Variable

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Communicate pharmacokinetic principles with depth, clarity and language tailored to the target audience and media type.	LO3
2	Discuss pharmacokinetic principles and their implications when resolving clinical problems or improving the quality use of medicines.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Mid Semester Test

Task Description:

You will undertake a written mid-semester test which will include multi-choice questions (MCQs) and/or short-answer questions (SAQs) relating to the application of pharmacokinetic principles and your ability to perform and interpret pharmacokinetic calculations

Task Length:

50 minutes

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe and apply pharmacokinetic principles to resolve clinical problems and improve the quality use of medicines.	LO1
2	Perform and interpret pharmacokinetic calculations.	LO2
3	Communicate pharmacokinetic principles with depth, clarity and language tailored to the target audience.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Examination

Task Description:

This will be a 2-hour written exam. 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:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe and apply pharmacokinetic principles to resolve clinical problems and improve the quality use of medicines.	LO1
2	Perform and interpret pharmacokinetic calculations.	LO2
3	Communicate pharmacokinetic principles with depth, clarity and language tailored to the target audience.	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.

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.