Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

To introduce third year B Pharm Sci students to essential elements of pharmaceutical biology. Specifically this unit will introduce students to the pharmacological principles of drug research.

Objectives

At the end of this unit students will be able to comprehend:

1. applications of stem cell biology in drug discovery and therapeutics,
2. analysis of function in cellular screening models,
3. opportunities in cell based-therapies,
4. novel targets for design of anti-cancer agents,
5. RNA interference and gene therapy,
6. cancer immunotherapy and vaccine design,
7. protein pharmaceuticals, and
8. experimental design and analysis in pharmaceutical biology.

Assessment

Final exam (2 hour): 65%; Mid-semester exam: 15%; Clear thinking and presentation exercises: 20%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr John Haynes

Contact hours

36 1 hour lectures, five 1 hour tutorials, seven 3 hour workshops and 14 hours of self-directed learning

Prerequisites

VPS1081 Physiology I or PAC1111 Introduction to Physiology
VPS1082 Physiology II or PAC1132 Systems Physiology
VPS2062 Pharmacology or PAC2182 Basis of Drug Action I
VPS2092 Molecular Cell Biology or PAC2151 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/