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 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

24 lecture format with additional tutorial and directed learning components

Prerequisites

PSC1081 Physiology I or PAC1111 Introduction to Physiology
PSC1082 Physiology II or PAC1132 Systems Physiology
PSC2062 Pharmacology or PAC2182 Basis of Drug Action I
PSC2092 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/