Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

To introduce second year B Pharm Sci students to essential elements of pharmacology. Specifically this unit will introduce students to the pharmacological principles of drug action. It includes descriptions of agonist and antagonist activities, analysis of agonist-effect relationships and the intracellular processes by which endogenous and exogenously applied compounds elicit effects.

These lectures will also cover in moderate detail the basic pharmacology of the peripheral and central nervous systems and also non-traditional transmitter systems and effectors.

Lastly this unit will integrate some of these principles into understanding the pharmacological regulation of (a few of) the body's organ systems. At its completion students will have been provided the opportunity to understand and apply the basic tenets of pharmacology to their formulation and medicinal chemistry studies. In addition this unit will equip students for further studies in the biological studies (either of the two third year electives).

Objectives

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

1. Identify how chemicals exert biological actions.
2. Show how these actions can be affected by modulators of the signal transduction cascade.
3. Describe how the autonomic nervous system regulates specific body functions.
4. Vividly describe some aspects of neurotransmitter signaling and interactions in the CNS.
5. Reveal the wonder of cardiovascular system pharmacology.
6. Showcase the pharmacological activities of reproductive and glandular systems.
7. Synthesize, process and disseminate critical information clearly and concisely.

Assessment

Final exam (2 hour): 70%; mid-semester exam: 15%; practical assessments: 15%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr John Haynes

Contact hours

36 hours of lectures; six 5 hour practical classes (one of these is computer lab based); 2 hours of tutorials

Prerequisites

PSC1081 Physiology I
PSC1082 Physiology II

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

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