This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.
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PAC1111 - Introduction to physiology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit lays a foundation of knowledge about mammalian systems and provides the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and use of drugs. Students will be introduced to the concepts underlying basic biochemistry and molecular biology of the cell, and will then consider in detail the structure and function of the musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. One or more examples of disease states which are amenable to pharmacotherapy will be discussed in detail for each organ/system. Students will perform a number of tasks, which will help with the development of critical thinking skills.
This will involve:
- Introduction to Physiology
- Cells and tissues
- Membranes
- Introductory Biochemistry
- Muscle
- Nervous system
- Cardiovascular System
- Endocrinology
Outcomes
At the end of this unit, students can be expected to:
- Describe the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the transcription / translation processes, energy utilisation, and the role of the major classes of macromolecules;
- Describe the structure and function of each major organ / organ system considered within the course;
- Explain the function of each major organ / organ system considered within the course, with reference to the structure;
- Explain the physiological basis for the most common disease states to affect each organ / organ system considered within the course;
- Analyse simple examples of cellular and organ dysfunction, and be able to explain the likely consequences for the function of the system;
- Demonstrate the development of written communication skills appropriate for first year students- explain the pathophysiology for one disease state and one drug treatment associated, relating the drug target to the disease state.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 70%; mid semester test: 10%; practical assessments: 15% and an elective written assignment task: 5%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Jennifer Short
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures/whole class tutorials, six 1 hour tutorials, one 3 hour problem based /case based learning session and two 3 hour practical classes
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC1121 - Organic chemistry
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit provides students with introduction to organic chemistry. Topics include:
- chemical structure bonding and shape
- introduction to organic chemistry
- alkanes and cycloalkanes
- alkenes and alkynes
- chirality
- haloalkanes
- alcohols, ethers & thiols
- benzene and its derivatives
- spectroscopy/pharmaceutical analysis
This unit aims:
- To provide the specialist background in organic chemistry necessary to understand Drug Action units in year 2;
- To provide essential fundamental background for Drug Delivery and Integrated therapeutics units in years 2-4.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Apply the key concepts in chemical structure and bonding, including functional groups, to the rationalisation of reactions of organic molecules;
- Explain the role of molecular shapes and electronic distributions as the basis for drug-receptor interactions;
- Be proficient in basic laboratory techniques.
Assessment
Written examination (3 hours): 80%; practical test: 10%; practical classes: 5%; tutorial classes: 5%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Bim Graham
Contact hours
51 contact hours per semester (lectures 30 x 1 hour; practicals 5 x 3 hour; tutorials 6 x 1 hour)
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC1132 - Systems physiology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
In this unit, students will learn the anatomy and physiology of various major organ systems. The autonomic control of these organ systems and the role that they play in maintaining health will also be covered. Pathophysiology and epidemiology of the major disorders of these systems will also be covered. This unit will provide a solid core of physiological knowledge to allow students to understand how drugs are able to modify physiological systems to alleviate the symptoms of a number of diseases to be covered in later years.
This unit aims to describe the physiology of the following systems and organs:
- special senses, skin
- respiratory
- gastrointestinal including feeding, digestion and absorption
- liver
- kidney and excretion
- temperature regulation
- reproductive
- blood and other body fluids
Outcomes
After completing this unit students should be able to:
- Describe the function of the lungs and airways and how these organs are controlled;
- Draw a schematic diagram of the kidney, skin and gastrointestinal tract and label the important functional structures within the organs;
- Explain the function of the kidney, skin and gastrointestinal tract and the pathophysiology of major disorders of these organs;
- Explain the physiological basis for the most common disease states affecting the kidney, skin and gastrointestinal tract;
- Analyse simple examples of organ dysfunction, and be able to explain the likely consequences for the function of the system;
- Draw a schematic diagram of the reproductive system in both males and females and label the structures involved;
- Explain the normal physiological roles played by each of the organs within these systems;
- Demonstrate the development of written and oral communication skills appropriate for 1st year students - explain the pathophysiology for one disease state and one associated drug treatment, relating the drug target to the disease state;
- Have a sound knowledge of the physiology of various systems throughout the body
- Explain complex physiological mechanisms in writing;
- Have a good understanding of how physiological systems interact and are modified in disease conditions;
- Work as a team to complete a research task;
- Articulate what they know about complex physiological mechanisms orally.
Assessment
oral presentation: 10%; review of practicals and ongoing assessment; 15%; final exam: 75%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Sab Ventura
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures, one 1 hour tutorial, one 3 hour tutorial, one three hour presentation/ discussion session, two 3 hour practical classes.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC1142 - Chemistry of biomolecules
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit provides students with introduction to the chemistry of biomolecules. Topics include:
- Amines
- Coordination compounds
- Aldehydes and Ketones
- Carboxylic Acids and Functional Derivatives
- Organic Polymer Chemistry
- Carbohydrates
- Amino Acids and Proteins
- Nucleic Acids
- Lipids
- Drug Stability & Metabolism
- Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry
This unit aims:
- To provide the specialist background in organic chemistry and chemistry of biomolecules necessary to understand Drug Action units in year 2;
- To provide essential fundamental background for Drug Delivery and Integrated therapeutics units in years 2-4.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Apply the key concepts in chemical structure and bonding, including functional groups and biomolecules, to the rationalisation of reactions of organic molecules;
- Explain the role of molecular shapes and electronic distributions as the basis for drug-receptor interactions;
- Be proficient in basic laboratory techniques.
Assessment
Written examination (3 hours): 80%; practical test: 10%; practical classes: 5%; tutorial classes: 5%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Bim Graham
Contact hours
54 contact hours per semester (lectures 30 x 1 hour; practicals 6 x 3 hour; tutorials 6 x 1 hour)
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC1211 - Physicochemical basis of pharmacy
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide students with a firm understanding of the basic physicochemical principles that underpin the science behind pharmacy as a discipline. This understanding, reinforced by some mathematical principles, sets the foundation for students to build upon in drug delivery units through second semester in first year, and in the second, third and fourth years of the course. The understanding of these principles will also assist students in their understanding in some areas of chemistry, physiology and biology.
Students will develop an:
- Understanding of the physicochemical principles that underpin pharmaceutical chemistry and drug delivery;
- Ability to undertake calculations concerning the physicochemical properties of pharmaceuticals and aspects of pharmaceutical products;
- Ability to measure some fundamental properties of pharmaceutical materials through practical exercises.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe differences between the various states of matter, and the concepts of phase equilibria (phase rule, degrees of freedom, miscibility, azeotropes, eutectics) and calculate degrees of freedom for systems with defined components and phase behaviour.
- Define thermodynamic quantities and laws of thermodynamics, describe concepts of state functions, state variables, and the ideal state.
- Define acidity and basicity constants in the context of species in solution, describe the principles behind the role of buffers, and discuss their importance in pharmacy. Perform calculations to describe the influence of pH on properties of species in solution.
- Recognise the most common organic functional groups that exhibit acidic or basic behaviour in aqueous solutions.
- Describe and perform calculations involving oxidation potentials and discuss their relevance in pharmaceutical products.
- Describe kinetics terminology including reaction rate, rate constant, order of reaction, elementary step, rate determining step and catalysis. Describe kinetic theories. Describe the relationships between and conduct calculations involving reaction rates, concentration, temperature and activation energy.
- Conduct integration of simple functions, and evaluate definite integrals, integrals by algebraic substitution and integration of algebraic functions.
- Be proficient in basic laboratory techniques.
Assessment
Written examination (3 hours): 70%; practical test: 10%; practical classes: 5%; mathematics online quizzes: 5%; tutorial classes: 5%; written quiz: 5%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Elizabeth Yuriev
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC1222 - Drug delivery I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide students with a firm understanding of the physical chemistry that underpins pharmaceutical solutions and the impact of solution properties on a drug's biopharmaceutical characteristics. In particular, an understanding of the physicochemical properties of pharmaceutical solids (drugs and excipients), their transfer into solution form and properties of those solutions from a pharmacy and pharmaceutical science perspective will set the foundation for students to build upon in drug delivery units for solid and solution dose forms through second, third and fourth year of the course. The understanding of these principles will also assist students in their understanding in some areas of chemistry, physiology and biology.
This will involve:
- Solutions of electrolytes and non-electrolytes, Colligative properties and Isotonicity
- Solids and Rheology
- Solubility, Diffusion, Distribution, Polymer solutions and Solution Formulations
- Introduction to Solution Biopharmaceutics
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Discuss the physicochemical principles that underpin the important processes of pharmaceutical solids dissolving to form a solution. In particular an understanding of dissolution, solubility and distribution are critical in many areas of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science
- Describe the various forms of pharmaceutical solids, both drug forms and other components (excipients) and their role and impact when used to produce solution-based formulations
- Discuss the basic physical chemistry of solutions once formed, including: the terms solution, supersaturation, solubility (ideal and non-ideal), solubility parameter, dissolution, distribution and partitioning, the influence of ionizable functional groups and structure on solution behaviour, the properties of polymers in solution and their rheological aspects and physical chemical concepts of solutions of non-electrolytes and electrolytes
- Undertake calculations concerning the physico-chemical properties of drug solutions including changes in solubility with pH for ionisable compounds; calculate molar conductivities, ionic strength, partial pressures for ideal and non-ideal systems, and express solution concentrations in molarity, molality, mol fraction and equivalents
- Suggest strategies typically used to improve drug solubility, and to outline the theories for prediction of drug solubility from solid state properties.
- Outline the common colligative properties and perform simple calculations to quantify these properties.
- Describe the meaning and importance of isotonicity in pharmacy, discuss methods of determination of tonicity of pharmaceutical solutions and perform simple calculations of isotonicity.
- Understanding of how drug transport across biological membranes is influenced by various physicochemical factors, in particular dissolution, ionization and distribution characteristics.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 75%; written assessments: 20%; practical assessments: 5%.
Chief examiner(s)
Suzanne Caliph
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC1311 - Pharmacy, health and society I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide first year students with the basic foundations required to successfully complete later year units of the Bachelor of Pharmacy course.
The unit aims to:
- Introduce students to a range of topics relevant to the practice of pharmacy (i.e. The Health Care System, The Pharmacist and The Patient);
- Develop students' skills in communication and problem solving;
- Develop students' dispensing skills and knowledge;
- Introduce students to pharmaceutical calculations and the basic concepts of statistics;
- Develop students' ability to apply pharmaceutical calculations and basic concepts of statistics in the practice of pharmacy and health care;
- Develop students' generic skills in critical thinking, communication, problem--solving and working in teams.
Students will undertake self-directed learning, submit assignments, participate in tutorials and practicals, all of which will enhance their learning experience.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students should be able to:
- Describe the framework for patient-centred care including the roles of pharmacists, the medicines management pathway, the practice of pharmacy in rural settings, the basic legal and ethical requirements related to pharmacy practice and medicines use, the Australian health care system and the professional pharmacy organisations;
- Describe the use of some commonly prescribed medicines;
- Retrieve, interpret and communicate (orally or in writing) basic information about medicines or health care issues, and apply it to patient-centred care;
- Perform pharmaceutical calculations relevant to the practice of pharmacy;
- Describe the basic concepts of statistics and know when to use the appropriate analyses;
- Apply (at basic level) patient-centred care in the practice of pharmacy including of medicines, recording prescriptions, labelling the medicines and counselling patients.
Assessment
Oral presentation: 10%; written assignment: 10%; open book dispensing exam exam: 15%; final exam (3 hour): 65%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Kong
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester including 33 one hour lectures, 7 two hour dispensing tutorials and a two hour open-book dispensing exam.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC1322 - Pharmacy, health and society II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide first year students with the basic foundations required to successfully complete later year units of the Bachelor of Pharmacy course.
The unit aims to:
- enhance students' knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relevant to the practice of pharmacy (ie. The Health Care System, The Pharmacist and The Patient);
- develop students' skills in communication and problem solving;
- develop students' dispensing skills and knowledge;
- develop students' ability to apply biostatistical and pharmaceutical calculations in the practice of pharmacy and health care;
- introduce students to research methods used in epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology;.
- develop students' generic skills in critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and working in teams.
- provide students with the basic foundations related to health psychology and human behaviour that are crucial for:
- pharmacist-patient and pharmacist-health professional interaction
- understanding human behaviours, especially during illness
- understanding patient adherence to recommended treatment regimens
- strengthening and maintaining optimal mental health of the individual
- the pharmacist's role as a member of the healthcare team
Students will undertake self-directed learning, submit assignments, participate in tutorials and practicals, all of which will enhance their learning experience.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- describe the use of some commonly prescribed medicines;
- retrieve, interpret and communicate (orally or in writing) basic information about medicines or health care issues, and apply it to pharmacy practice;
- dispense simple dose forms of medicines;
- perform basic pharmaceutical and biostatistical calculations;
- describe the research methods used in epidemiology;
- critically examine the influence of their own experiences, background and culture on their attitudes towards illness and medicine and their ability to learn, and contrast these with the values and beliefs of others in the community;
- critically examine the influence of patient's experiences, background and culture on their attitude towards medicine and health professionals;
- develop strategies for maintaining or optimising their own mental health status, and that, of their patients;
- discuss the different perspectives on health, illness and healthcare practice;
- describe the impact of cultural diversity on health status and principles of cultural responsiveness;
- describe the association between health and illness and social influences like age, disability, social position, gender, ethnicity, ecology and access to healthcare;
- consider appropriate adaptations of healthcare practices to suit cultural and social circumstances;
- examine the similarities and differences between personal and professional behaviour.
Assessment
Online pharmaceutical calculation test (minimum requirement for this component is 80%); 10%; essay: 15%; open book dispensing examination: 15%; end of semester written exam: 60%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Kong
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester including 36 x 1 hour lectures and six x 2 hour dispensing tutorials.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC2151 - Biochemistry and molecular biology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
To introduce 2nd year pharmacy students to essential elements of biochemistry. In the process, students will develop their abilities to integrate biochemical information as it relates to both desired and unwanted effects of therapeutics, and appreciate the underlying foundation of biochemistry in the treatment of individual diseases and pathological conditions.
The specific topics that will be addressed are as follows:
- structure and molecular properties of proteins, sugars and complex carbohydrates, lipids and membranes, and nucleotides and coenzymes
- information transfer (gene structure and regulation); protein synthesis
- metabolism; catabolic pathways, synthetic pathways, energy production, control of metabolism
Outcomes
After completing this unit, students will be able to:
- To demonstrate their understanding of the basic biochemistry of body constituents by describing (comparing and contrasting) and explaining the structure, function and classification of the major biomolecules and analysing how these can be altered or perturbed in disease states.
- To demonstrate their understanding of the nature of information transfer and molecular biology methods by describing and explaining aspects of the processes from an enzymatic to biomolecular level and predicting how these can be altered or perturbed in disease states
- To demonstrate their understanding of the principle metabolic pathways and the basis of their regulation and connections by describing their roles and differentiating how they are regulated from a hormonal to enzymatic level at the cellular, organ and whole body levels
- To demonstrate their understanding of integrated biochemical and physiological functions, pathophysiological and biochemical or genetic perturbations as they affect bodily functions by predicting and differentiating how the metabolic pathways are regulated under normal fed, and fasting conditions and diseased conditions such as diabetes mellitus type 1
Assessment
on-going assessments: 15%; group assignment: 7.5%; practical/tutorial work:7.5%; final examination (2.5 hours): 70%.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Helen Irving
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures, five 3 hour practicals or workshops, one 6 hour self-directed computer based assignment and five 1 hour tutorials
Prerequisites
PAC1121 Organic chemistry
PAC1142 Chemistry of biomolecules
PAC1111 Introduction to physiology
PAC1132 Systems physiology
PAC1211 Physicochemical basis of pharmacy
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC2161 - Cell function, communication and pathology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
- This unit will provide a foundation of fundamental aspects of cell biology, cell physiology and ways that cells communicate with each other in the human body.
- This unit will relate the pathophysiology of various diseases and disorders with the use of specific drug classes.
This will involve:
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Cell Biology & Signalling
- Stem Cells and Development
- Cell Pathophysiology (Cancer)
- Pharmacology
- Autocoids
- Inflammatory Responses
- Endocrinology
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Differentiate between the basic molecular-genetic mechanisms by which cells are regulated in a multicellular organism.
- Appreciate the fundamental approaches and methods used to study cells.
- Describe the special properties inherent to stem cells or specialized cells.
- Understand the ways in which cell control is disrupted in diseases such as cancer.
- Diagnose a disorder by examination of signs and symptoms.
- Relate modifications of physiological and molecular mechanisms to the observed disorder and describe the role of receptor activation and intracellular signalling in normal and abnormal cellular function.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 70%; On-going assessments: 20%; Practical/tutorial work:10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Sab Ventura
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures, one 1 hour tutorial, two 3 hour computer-aided learning class and two 3 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PAC1111, PAC1132
Co-requisites
PAC2151 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support
PAC2171 - Basis of drug action I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to equip students with a foundation of knowledge about the molecular structure of drugs, together with an understanding of the fundamental relationship that exists between the molecular structure of drugs and their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. It also seeks to provide students with an appreciation of the drug design process and the methods used to synthesise and establish the structure of drug molecules. The subject provides a firm foundation for the subsequent Basis of Drug Action II unit, as well as the "Integrated Therapeutics" 3rd year subjects, which focus on describing the major classes of drugs and how they function.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Identify functional groups in drug molecules and describe the bonding interactions they may undergo with a target macromolecule
- Define the stereochemistry of chiral compounds and discuss why the shapes of drug molecules are important for biological activity
- Relate the bioavailability and physicochemical properties of a drug molecule to its chemical structure
- Recognise and describe structural modification strategies used to optimise the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a drug
- Apply the concepts of QSAR
- Describe the general synthetic strategies used to synthesise drug leads and their analogues
- Analyse and interpret data to describe chemical structures
- Be proficient in basic chemical laboratory techniques and communicating results in written form
Assessment
Practical attendance and performance: 5%; on-line multiple choice quizzes: 5%; invigilated quiz: 10%; final exam (2.5 hours): 80%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Roland Chung
Contact hours
35 x one-hour lectures/whole class tutorials, 1 x three-hour and 3 x six-hour practical classes.
Prerequisites
PAC1121 Organic chemistry
PAC1142 Chemistry of biomolecules
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC2182 - Basis of drug action II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit builds on the previous unit "Chemical Properties of Drug Molecules" to provide students with an understanding of the basis of drug action - efficacy. The consequences of drug binding to cell-surface receptors and enzymes will be considered at a structural level.
This will involve:
- Drug targets
- Receptor activation - efficacy and affinity
- Chemistry of drug-receptor interactions
- Newer / Emerging drug classes - particularly "biologicals" - protein therapeutics
- Pharmacology in action - practical application of principles of affinity, efficacy and potency
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- List and describe in detail the categories of proteins with which drugs interact.
- List and explain the properties of a drug that determine its affinity, efficacy and potency.
- Describe the chemistry of drug-receptor interactions, and explain the properties of drug and receptor that determine binding and efficacy.
- Evaluate the interactions between drug and receptor that determine efficacy based on theoretical or empirical information.
- Calculate drug affinity, potency and efficacy based on model data, and make comparisons between drugs based on such data.
- Describe the mechanisms of action of several classes of emerging therapeutic classes.
- Effectively apply the principles of affinity, efficacy and potency to find solutions to problems associated with commonly used drugs.
- Based on laboratory experience within this unit, demonstrate a personal understanding of the biological evaluation of drug affinity, efficacy and potency.
Assessment
CAL Tutorial assessment: 10%; two practical class reports (10% each): 20%; final exam (2 hours): 70%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Paul White
Contact hours
30 1 hour lectures, two 3 hour tutorials, one 3 hour problem based / case based learning session, three 1 hour whole class introductions to practical class and one three hour practical class
Prerequisites
Attempted PAC2171
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC2232 - Drug delivery and disposition
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit builds upon the fundamental concepts of drug delivery with a major focus on oral drug absorption and pharmacokinetics. Specifically, the unit aims to:
- introduce physicochemical properties of solids and the use of common excipients, polymers and powders with application to formulation and development of pharmaceutical dose forms
- provide an understanding of theoretical concepts and formulation principles of pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets and capsules
- introduce students to fundamental concepts in pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics and their impact on drug disposition.
This will involve:
- Physicochemical principles of solids
- Formulation of tablets and capsules
- Physiological factors affecting oral absorption
- Introductory pharmacokinetics
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Discuss the characteristics and properties of polymers in the solid state
- Describe the fundamental and derived properties of drugs including a detailed knowledge of the concept of particle size, particle size distributions and specific surface, and undertake calculations associated with particle size distributions and specific surface
- Discuss the importance and theory of powder drying, mixing and particle size reduction
- Explain formulation principles of tablets and capsules and undertake problems by applying theoretical knowledge in relation to formulation principles
- Discuss the primary physiological factors influencing drug absorption across the small intestine and the effects of altering rate of absorption and extent of absorption on plasma concentration and amount of drug in the body
- Define and calculate pharmacokinetic parameters, including drug clearance, elimination half-life, volume of distribution, fraction unbound, fraction excreted unchanged in urine and steady state plasma concentration after intravenous infusions and multiple dosing
- Describe the impact of plasma protein binding on hepatic and renal elimination processes
- Estimate the absolute and relative bioavailability of drugs given either plasma or urine concentration data
Assessment
Final exam (3 hours): 80%; multi-choice quizzes: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Joseph Nicolazzo
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures/whole class tutorials, one 1 hour tutorial, three 3 hour problem based/case based learning sessions and one 3 hour practical
Prerequisites
PAC1222 Drug delivery I
PAC1132 Systems physiology
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC2331 - Pharmacists as communicators
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge, skills and resources to interact with patients and other health care professionals to effect positive therapeutic outcomes. The unit focuses on definition, development and refinement of communication skills for pharmacists in all aspects of professional practice. This professional practice is defined in terms of the expectations and structure of the Australian Health Care System and in context of global approaches to health.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- effective communication with patients and prescribers; health literacy; the problems of medication non-adherence and means of overcoming them; the role of the pharmacist in patient education.
Students will develop abilities in:
- the areas of accessing information; written and oral communication (including effective communication in special settings); patient counselling; problem-solving in clinically- oriented situations; and creating, maintaining and utilising individual patient records.
Students will develop an appreciation of concepts in systematic care of patients.
Outcomes
After completing this unit, students will be able to:
- Apply specific strategies and resources to enhance communication with patients and other health care professionals.
- Communicate with patients and other health care professionals in a considered and systematic way, focussing on best clinical outcomes.
- Apply approaches to communication with patients and other health care professionals in special settings and with specific groups of people.
- Identify clinical and other health terminology used.
- Interpret health terminology for clinical decision-making and for translating into meaningful language for patients.
Assessment
Three tutorial assignments: 15% in total; oral exam (objective structured clinical exam, OSCE): 40%; final exam: 45%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Safeera Hussainy
Contact hours
Parkville campus: 36 hours of lectures/whole class tutorials, 18 hours of group tutorials, and 7 hours of formative assessment activities.
Sunway campus: 34.5 hours of lectures/whole class tutorials, 3 hours of workshops, 18 hours of group tutorials, and 7 hours of formative assessment activities.
Prerequisites
PAC1311 Pharmacy, health and society I
PAC1322 Pharmacy, health and society II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC2342 - Pharmacy in a public health context
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit puts the practice of pharmacy and delivery of pharmacy services in a public health context. It emphasises a population perspective for health policy as well as clinical decision-making.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- Definitions and issues in public health including the socio-environmental determinants of health.
- The role of pharmacy in a public health context.
- The Australian National Medicines Policy and the Quality Use of Medicines Strategy.
- The nature, role and development of health policy.
Students will develop abilities in:
- Applying population-based evidence to improve clinical decision-making.
- Performing and interpreting the results of statistical tests that are relevant to evidence based practice
- Applying health economic principles to medicines use.
- Dispensing, including clinical problem-solving.
- Performing pharmaceutical calculations building on previous knowledge.
Students will develop an appreciation of:
- The roles of other health proferssionals and their relationship to pharmacy.
- Key issues around medicines promotion and international health.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the broad public health perspectives and framework for providing therapeutic services and care to patients, and for working with other health care professionals.
- Discuss the process for formulating health policy and the impact of various health policies.
- Describe the roles of other health care professionals.
- Discuss the principles and application of the Quality Use of Medicine Strategy of the National Medicines Policy.
- Systematically conduct a literature review and a subsequent critical appraisal to answer a clinical enquiry.
- Interpret the results of statistical tests when critically appraising the literature to answer a clinical enquiry.
- Perform statistical tests that are frequently used in the reporting of health care research and that underpin evidence based practice.
- Dispense medicines and solve clinical problems.
- Perform pharmaceutical calculations relevant to the practice of pharmacy.
Assessment
Evidence-based practice assignment: 20%; Dispensing exam: 10%; Supervised Calculations module: 10%; Final exam (3 hour): 60%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Safeera Hussainy
Contact hours
Parkville campus: 35 hours of lectures, 2 hours of group tutorials, 12 hours of group practicals, and 6 hours of a formative assessment activity.
Sunway campus: 35 hours of lectures, 2 hours of group tutorials, 2 hours of workshops, 13 hours of group practicals/site visits, and 6 hours of a formative assessment activity.
Prerequisites
PAC1311 Pharmacy, Health and Society I
PAC1322 Pharmacy, Health and Society II
PAC2331 Pharmacists and Communicators
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC2412 - Integrated therapeutics: Introduction and cardiovascular
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit provides an introduction to disease state management. It will cover concepts that span the range of diseases such as issues related to the management of paediatric and geriatric patients and the use and interpretation of laboratory tests for diagnosis and monitoring.
This unit provides a foundation of basic knowledge required for the diagnosis and management of patients with cardiovascular diseases. It will relate the pathophysiology of these disorders with the rational design and clinical use of drugs. The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with each area are presented in detail in an integrated fashion.
This will involve:
- Introduction to Disease state management
- Epidemiology and pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease
- Chemistry of drugs used in cardiovascular disease
- Pharmacology of drugs used in cardiovascular disease
- Cardiovascular disease state management
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the epidemiology and concepts of disease state management of cardiovascular diseases including the concepts affecting the management of various types of patients (e.g. paediatric and geriatric patients).
- Evaluate a patient's laboratory test results to assist with the diagnosis or management of disease.
- Describe the normal function of the cardiovascular system and the signs and symptoms likely to be seen in patients with the disorders .
- Recognise when referral for medical assessment is required with a particular emphasis on cardinal symptoms.
- Relate modifications of physiological and molecular mechanisms to the observed disorder.
- Describe the chemistry of the different types of drugs used to treat these disorders and the chemical and biological principals behind the development of a range of drugs used to treat these disorders.
- Describe drug and non-drug therapy options for the management of cardiovascular disease and primary and secondary prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease.
- Evaluate a patient's disease state, identify any drug therapy problems and recommend appropriate resolutions of those problems.
- Formulate a medical management program for specific patients based on their medical, medication and psychosocial histories and laboratory test results.
- Apply basic counselling strategies that optimize behavioural change support for patients with chronic conditions
Assessment
practical assessments: 15%; Assessment of self-directed learning: 15%; final exam (3 hour): 70%
Chief examiner(s)
Kevin McNamara
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures one 2 hour practical class and two 3 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PAC2171 Basis of drug action I
Co-requisites
PAC2182 Basis of drug action II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3191 - Microbiology and immunology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
To introduce 3rd year pharmacy students to essential elements of microbiology and immunology. In the process, students will develop their abilities to integrate microbiological and immunological concepts as a basis for later work in other subjects within the pharmaceutical sciences.
This will involve the study of:
- Bacteria (general principles and microbial genetics)
- Eukaryotic microbes
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Microbiological diseases (diseases and host responses)
- Industrial microbiology
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- demonstrate fundamental concepts in microbiology and associated immunology including basic technologies, classification of microorganisms, principles of microbial genetics, and immunological processes.
- evaluate and differentiate basic microbiological laboratory techniques and how to apply these to the identification of different types of pathogenic microorganisms.
- demonstrate an appreciation of factors involved in contamination control and control of infectious diseases .
- illustrate the ecological role of microorganisms and analyse interactions between microorganisms and the host including interactions with humans and the principles of immunology and epidemiology.
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 75%; mid-semester exam: on-going practicals and assignments: 25%.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Helen Irving
Contact hours
36 x 1hour lectures, 3 x 2hour tutorials, 5 x 2hour practicals
Prerequisites
PAC2151 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
PAC2161 Cell Function, Communication and Pathology
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3241 - Drug delivery, disposition and dynamics
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The overall aim of this unit is to introduce 3rd year pharmacy students to the key concepts associated with clinical pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and disposition, and therapeutic drug monitoring and how these may impact on patient therapeutic dosage regimens in various disease states, conditions and with concomitant medication. Additionally, students will build upon their knowledge on surface properties and formulation of heterogenous systems, including dispersions, semi-solids, suppositories, pessaries, aerosols and modified release products.
This will involve the study of:
- Effect of metabolism, drug transporters and disease on pharmacokinetics
- Drug interactions
- Management of poisons
- Therapeutic drug monitoring
- Solid in liquid dispersions
- Aerosols and Foams
- Semi-solids, suppositories and pessaries
- Modified release formulations
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe steady state plasma concentration and factors affecting steady state plasma concentration; calculate steady state concentrations after a particular dose and dosing interval
- Describe common routes of drug metabolism and drug transport and predict changes in pharmacokinetics associated with inter-individual variability
- Explain how drug transporters present in the small intestine, liver, kidney and blood-brain barrier may impact on disposition of drugs and potential drug-drug interactions
- Evaluate and predict how pharmacokinetics may alter in various disease states and patient groups (pregnancy, obesity, geriatrics, paediatrics)
- Generate a drug regimen based on therapeutic drug monitoring principles
- Discuss particular examples where drug-drug interactions impact on pharmacokinetics and patient therapy
- Explain and exemplify formulation principles of colloidal and solid in liquid dispersions, aerosol systems and foams, ointments, gels, suppositories, pessaries and modified release pharmaceutical drug delivery systems
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 70%; in-semester assessments: 30%.
Chief examiner(s)
Suzanne Caliph
Contact hours
30 x 1hour lectures, 4 x 3hour tutorials.
Prerequisites
PAC1222 Drug Delivery I
PAC2232 Drug Delivery & Disposition
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3252 - Drug delivery II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to equip students with fundamental and applied knowledge required to understand and assess pharmaceutical pre-formulation, formulation, sterilization and packaging of parenteral products, with special emphasis on drug product stability, including the kinetics and mechanisms of drug degradation and functional group reactivity. The unit is also designed to provide students with an understanding of aseptic processing, disinfection and preservation.
This will involve the study of:
- Preformulation/Formulation/ Containers and Closures
- Drug Stability
- Contamination control and sterilisation
- Biotechnology products
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Estimate rate constants, half-lives and shelf-lives for drug substances and products; Interpret pH-rate profiles for typical drugs and understand the main physicochemical properties that control chemical reaction rates.
- Understand organic chemical reaction mechanisms for degradation of common drug functional groups; apply this knowledge to stabilization of drugs that are susceptible to hydrolysis, oxidation and photochemical degradation.
- Understand basic features of drug inactivation by physical means.
- Provide a summary of the necessary preformulation tools for new drug characterisation.
- Given information on the bulk, physicochemical and stability properties of a drug, provide a clear strategy for the choice and development of a formulation of that drug.
- Discuss the formulation of injections, including the purpose of all excipients used, and the general processes for the manufacture of injections including reconstitutable injections.
- Discuss issues in the use of glass, plastic and rubber packaging materials.
- Discuss contamination control and aseptic processing of sterile pharmaceuticals.
- Describe sterilization processes, validation, sterility assurance and end product sterility testing.
- Discuss microbial stability issues of pharmaceuticals and principles and practices of disinfection and preservation.
- Appreciate the spectrum of disciplines involved in pharmaceutical biotechnology products.
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 80%; workshop assessments: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Richard Prankerd
Contact hours
35 x 1hour lectures, 4 x 3hour workshops.
Prerequisites
PAC1211
PAC1222
PAC2232
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3351 - Context for practice I
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit builds on the knowledge and understanding of a range of topics which are relevant to the practice of pharmacy.
Students will be introduced to the concepts underlying pharmacy management, harm reduction, pharmacy legislation, management of poisoning and overdose, the principles of medication safety and accurate dispensing under time pressure.
Students will submit assignments, participate in tutorials and practicals, and undertake some self-directed learning, all of which will enhance their learning experience.
This will involve the study of:
- Pharmacy management
- Pharmacy legislation
- Medication safety
- Harm reduction
- Poisoning and overdose
- Accurate dispensing
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the principles of management in the context of pharmacy practice with a focus on personal management skills and human resources management;
- Discuss the legal requirements for best pharmacy practice and apply these principles in various practice situations;
- Discuss the principles and procedures of medication safety initiatives in hospitals;
- Describe the principles of harm reduction, its importance in the social context and the role of pharmacists;
- Discuss the principles and procedures underlying the management of poisoning and overdose; and
- Dispense multiple prescriptions, including extemporaneous products, with accuracy under time pressure.
Assessment
Parkville Campus: Final exam (2 hour): 70%; mid-semester exam: 10%; assignment: 10%; quiz:10%.
Sunway Campus: Final exam (2 hour): 70%; management assignment: 10%; legislation quiz: 5%; legislation assignment: 5%; harm minimization quiz: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Johnson George
Contact hours
31 x one hour lectures, 3 x one hour tutorial/assessments, 1 x three hour tutorial/assessment, 2 x two hour practicals.
Prerequisites
PAC2331 Pharmacists as Communicators
PAC2342 Pharmacy in a Public Health Context
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3362 - Context for practice II
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
In this unit students will acquire or further develop knowledge relating to the:
- Ethical principles in relation to the practice of pharmacy.
In this unit students will develop an appreciation of:
- The competency standards for the practice of pharmacy in Australia;
- The Australian healthcare system;
- Alternative therapies available in Australia;
- The practice of pharmacy in hospital and rural settings;
- Drug information services.
In this unit students will develop an understanding of;
- Aged care services;
- The principles of multiple-medication management and the skills for performing multiple medication management reviews.
In this unit students will further develop abilities in:
- Performing pharmaceutical calculations;
- Dispensing multiple prescriptions with 100% accuracy in different settings using commercial disensing programs;
- Providing relaible drug information to health professionals and consumers; and
- Undertaking comprehensive medication reviews in different practice settings.
This will involve the study of:
- Ethics in Pharmacy Practice
- Competency and standards
- The Australian healthcare system
- Aged care services
- Multiple medication management
- Hospital practice
- Drug information services
- IV lines
- Pharmacovigilance
- Rural practice
- Alternative therapies
As part of this unit students will submit assignments, participate in tutorials, attend practicals, and undertake some self-directed learning, all of which will enhance their learning experience.
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit the student should be able to:
- Describe the role of the pharmacist in patient care, the ethical codes that guide the profession of pharmacy and apply those in a practice setting;
- Describe the Australian health care system, alternative therapies, competency and practice standards documents, and aged care services;
- Apply the principles of multiple medication management and problem solving skills to clinical situations in various practice settings;
- Describe the practice of pharmacy in hospital and rural settings;
- Describe the principles and procedures in the provision of drug information;
- Perform pharmaceutical calculations relevant to the practice of pharmacy;
- Prepare and dispense extemporaneous preparations and dispense proprietary products with 100% accuracy in different practice settings using commercial disensing programs;
- Provide reliable and unabiased drug information to health professionals and consumers;
- Undertake comprehensive medication reviews in different practice settings;
- Communicate effectively with patients and other health professionals.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hours): 50%; Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (2 hours): 40%; Medication Management Assignment: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Johnson George
Contact hours
31 x one hour lectures, 1 x two hour tutorial, 5 x two hour practicals.
Prerequisites
PAC 2331 Pharmacists as Communicators
PAC 2342 Pharmacy in a Public Health Context
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3421 - Integrated therapeutics: Respiratory and gastrointestinal disease
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit provides an introduction to disease state management. It will cover concepts that span the range of diseases such as issues related to the management of paediatric and geriatric patients and the use and interpretation of laboratory tests for diagnosis and monitoring.
This unit provides a foundation of basic knowledge required for the diagnosis and management of patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. This unit will relate the pathophysiology of these disorders with the rational design and clinical use of drugs. The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with each area are presented in detail in an integrated fashion.
This will involve the study of:
- Pathophysiology of respiratory diseases
- Chemistry of drugs used in respiratory diseases
- Pharmacology of drugs used in respiratory diseases
- Respiratory disease state management
- Pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases
- Chemistry of drugs used in gastrointestinal diseases
- Pharmacology of drugs used in gastrointestinal diseases
- Gastrointestinal disease state management
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the epidemiology and concepts of disease state management of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases including the concepts affecting the management of various types of patients (e.g. paediatric and geriatric patients).
- Evaluate a patient's laboratory test results to assist with the diagnosis or management of disease.
- Describe the normal function of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, and the signs and symptoms likely to be seen in patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Recognise when referral for medical assessment is required with a particular emphasis on cardinal symptoms.
- Relate modifications of physiological and molecular mechanisms to the observed disorder.
- Describe the chemistry of the different types of drugs used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and the chemical and biological principals behind the development of a range of drugs used to treat these disorders.
- Describe drug and non-drug therapy options for the management of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and primary and secondary prevention strategies for respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
- Evaluate a patient's disease state, identify any drug therapy problems and recommend appropriate resolutions of those problems.
- Formulate a medical management program for specific patients based on their medical, medication and psychosocial histories and laboratory test results.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 70%; on-going assessments: 30%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Dan Malone
Contact hours
36 x 1hour lectures, 3 x 3hour tutorials
Prerequisites
PAC1111 Introduction to Physiology
PAC1132 Systems Physiology
PAC2171 Basis of Drug Action I
PAC2182 Basis of Drug Action II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3432 - Integrated therapeutics: Infectious disease
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The aim of this unit is to provide an introduction to disease state management and concepts common to a range of disease states and to provide an integrated foundation of basic knowledge of the chemistry, pharmacology and therapeutics required for the diagnosis and management of patients with infectious diseases. This unit also aims to develop students' generic skills in critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, leadership and working in teams.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the epidemiology of a range of infectious diseases
- Discuss the chemistry, classification, functions and pharmaceutical aspects of a range of antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-parasitic agents
- Explain the pathophysiology of infectious diseases
- Describe the mechanism of action of various classes of antimicrobials agents
- Describe the structure-activity relationships and mechanism of action of anti-infective agents
- Describe the signs and symptoms likely to be seen in patients with the disorders
- Diagnose minor infections by consideration of signs and symptoms.
- Recognise when referral for medical assessment is required with a particular emphasis on cardinal symptoms.
- Discuss the role of the immune system in hypersensitivity reactions, the development of immunity and auto-immune diseases
- Discuss the role of antimicrobials and their uses for various disease states
- Describe the problems of infectious disease world-wide and the major problems of resistance
- Identify the possibility of interactions between certain antimicrobials and other drugs and conditions
- Recognise the role of the pharmacist in communicating with the patients and liaising with other health care professionals to monitor patient care.
- Formulate a medical management program for a specific patient based on a diagnosis.
- Identify any drug therapy problems and recommend appropriate resolutions of those problems
- Work in a team to achieve a common goal
Assessment
Problem based learning exercises and assignment: 20%; examination: 80%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Chalmers
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures; 6 hours of tutorials
Prerequisites
PAC2412 Integrated Therapeutics: Introduction and Cardiovascular
PAC3191 Microbiology and immunology
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3512 - Current aspects of pharmaceutical research
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Quota applies
This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For more information see http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/undergrad/courses/pharmacyelectives.html
Synopsis
The unit provides students with an experience in current aspects of research within the faculty and will provide students with an appreciation of the fundamentals of research philosophy and methodology.
Students will undertake a literature research project addressing an issue/problem in the pharmaceutical sciences or pharmacy practice areas. (Please note: There is no guarantee that students will be placed in their preferred reserach area as places are limited.)
This unit will expand the student's knowledge of research and enhance skills in information literacy, scientific writing and research. The unit is compatible with Monash's goals for research lead teaching.
Outcomes
The aim of this unit is to provide students the opportunity to gain further skills in research and problem solving, and an understanding of current research activities within the faculty. The unit is designed for the student who wishes to enhance these skills for a career in pharmacy or who might wish to pursue further study in research orientated postgraduate programs.
At the end of this unit students will be expected to have developed:
- an understanding of recent some advances in research in pharmaceutical science or pharmacy practice and a detailed knowledge of the literature within the area of their project
- an ability to define an approach to solving a research problem, undertake literature searches effectively, critically analyse and interpret the literature with a view to solving the problem and planning and writing a research report
- an appreciation of basic research philosophies and approaches
Assessment
Discussion of plan for literature review (oral communication with supervisor): 20%;
Presentation of a detailed literature review (written report): 80%
Chief examiner(s)
Professor Colin Pouton
Contact hours
6 hours of lectures, and 66 hours of directed project work
Prerequisites
PAC2232, PAC2412 and PAC2182
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3522 - Applied research project
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Quota applies
This unit is quota restricted. Selection is merit-based and students must apply for the unit. For more information please see http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/undergrad/pac3522research-project.html
Synopsis
This unit will provide students with a preliminary training in research in pharmaceutical science or pharmacy practice within the faculty as well as provide the knowledge of research philosophy and approaches.
Students will participate in a hands-on research project within the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (MIPS) or the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS) under the supervision of an academic staff member. The project will enhance students' skills in all aspects of research.
Outcomes
The aim of this unit is to provide students the opportunity to gain skills in research and an understanding of current research activities within the faculty. The unit is designed for the student who may wish to pursue further study in research-orientated postgraduate programs. The elective aims to:
- provide students with experience in an area of research
- provide students with an insight into future opportunities in the area of research
- encourage and attract high quality students interested in pursuing a career in research, the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry or academia
At the end of this elective, students will be expected to have developed:
- an understanding of some recent advances in research in pharmaceutical science or pharmacy practice and the literature within their area of research
- an appreciation of the need to define a hypothesis, design an approach to test the hypothesis, plan the experiments, undertake the experiments, analyse and interpret the data and write a research report
- an appreciation of basic research philosophies and approaches
Assessment
Written report: 50%; Supervisor mark: 50%, comprising 10% for each of: initiative; technical capability; attention to detail; teamwork; project understanding.
Chief examiner(s)
Professor Chris Porter
Contact hours
Students will participate in a small number of lectures and undertake a research project equivalent to 72 hours of learning. The research project will be 4 weeks in duration and will take place in either November/December or January/February prior to fourth year.
Prerequisites
All third year units except the elective unit (students take this unit in the summer break between third and fourth year)
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/undergrad/pac3522research-project.html
PAC3532 - International experience in pharmacy
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Quota applies
This unit is quota restricted. Selection is merit-based and students must apply for this unit. For information please see http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/undergrad/pac3532international-elective.html
Synopsis
During the international experience in pharmacy, the student, having already completed a community or hospital pharmacy placement in Australia, will explore some of the issues which influence pharmacy practice and which underpin the provision of health care generally, by completing a four week placement in at an international site, in one or more placement settings. The student will have the opportunity to compare and contrast health care provision in Australia with the situation in another country.
The student will seek opportunities to be involved in the everyday practice of
pharmacy. Some guidance will be provided by the unit coordinator, workbook and assessment tasks, but there will be freedom to pursue other activities under the supervision and guidance of an on-site preceptor. These activities may include, for example, educational and research activities.
Pharmacy practice is undergoing rapid change as healthcare systems adapt to a rapidly ageing population, and as health authorities battle to control costs associated with expensive medicines. Students will learn about the healthcare and social issues in their host country, and are strongly encouraged to participate in activities in the community during their time on the international pharmacy experience.
Outcomes
The aim of this international experience in pharmacy unit is to allow students to broaden their understanding of the practice of pharmacy in another country. A greater understanding will assist students to put the Australian 'scene' in perspective, and may serve to foster ideas of better ways to practise as a pharmacist.
At the end of this placement students will be expected to have developed:
- an understanding of:
- the health care system in their host country, with a particular emphasis on the roles of pharmacists
- the dispensing and counselling processes in the host country
- how the health care system and practice of pharmacy in the host country compares with that in Australia
- an ability to:
- provide primary health care in the context of the health care system in the host country
- provide comprehensive patient-centred care
- dispense prescriptions
- an appreciation of:
- the strengths and weaknesses of pharmacy practice in the host country
- the need to apply organisational skills in the practice of pharmacy.
Assessment
The work experience will be assessed by preceptor report (10%), activity and reflective journal (40%), a written assignment (30%) and an oral presentation to peers (20%).
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Kay Stewart
Contact hours
The student will be required to complete a practice experience for four weeks in a suitable international practice site(s) under the supervision of an on-site preceptor(s). The student will undertake directed learning, complete a workbook and reflective diary, undertake assignments and give a presentation to other students and staff on their return.
Prerequisites
PAC3362 Context for Practice 2
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/undergrad/pac3532international-elective.html
PAC3542 - Leadership
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Quota applies
This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For more information see http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/undergrad/courses/pharmacyelectives.html
Synopsis
Many pharmacy graduates will be employed in positions where they will need to lead or supervise others or be leaders in introduction of new professional pharmacy services. An understanding of the principles of leadership and how to manage and implement change will therefore be important to effective professional practice. Students will develop and practice these skills through a range of team-based and individual activities and a group project.
Outcomes
The aim of this unit is to provide an introduction to leadership principles and concepts of change management in the context of pharmacy practice. It will differentiate leadership from management and will consider the basic theories of leadership and team-building. Students will develop skills in identifying opportunities for change, implementing and evaluating change in an evidence-based manner.
This unit also aims to develop students' generic skills in critical thinking, communication and problem-solving.
At the completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Describe the concepts of good leadership
- Identify their personal leadership characteristics
- Describe the principles associated with change management
- Work in a team
- Lead a team
Assessment
Peer-assessment will be used to assess team-work and leadership skills.
Assignments will be used to provide an assessment of the ability to apply leadership skills, the development of teams and the change management process.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Jennifer Marriott
Kevin McNamara
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC3552 - Community engagement
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The Community Engagement (CE) is a community-based project that offers our students an unrivalled opportunity to understand issues of social justice and equity and relate these to the practice of pharmacy. Empathy in this area is an essential part of good pharmacy practice. Through the completion of a community placement, our students have the opportunity to observe the outstanding human skills of multi-disciplinary teams in a community setting and be actively involved in the work of the host agency. Through the project, students have a specific opportunity to explore community responses to social justice issues; reflect upon their own attitudes and behaviours; and relate these to an evolving understanding of the relationship between medicine, pharmacy, healthcare professionalism and social justice. The project requires students to consider their own knowledge, values and skills in relation to the impact of political, social, and economic determinants on people's lives. It will allow students to better understand the use of contemporary approaches in service delivery, and it will also serve as an opportunity to explore alternative strategies to health and well-being of their patients in their future practice.
The project provides students with an opportunity to gain a unique learning experience off-campus, based within a community organisation involved in the provision of clinical, health and social care to needy individuals (see Appendix A for list of organisations). Practical involvement with their community-based placements provide an opportunity for students to understand what these organisations do, why they need to do so and how they serve individuals, families and communities. This community-centred approach will allow pharmacy students to experience health and social care issues at a grassroots level.
Students will undertake a group project in their community placement under guidance of academic convenors (AA) from Monash University and field educator (FE) from the organisations involved. Both AA and FE will provide support, guidance and manage academic progress of the students' projects They will also assist students during the planning and implementation of the projects. The students will also develop skills in communicating their project work orally, visually, and in written form to fellow students, faculty, and community groups or organisations with whom they will be working. The knowledge and skills gained through the lectures and workshops, as well as through readings will be applied in the real world during the conduct of these projects.
Outcomes
This unit aims to help the students develop as professionals and as individuals and their understanding of the distribution and determinants of health. It also aims to facilitate the acquiring of knowledge about the effects of being disadvantaged on health and the development of skills while working in the community.
At the end of the placement, the students should demonstrate an understanding of; or develop skills in:
- the way the organisation works
- professional relationships within and external to the organisation
- the users of the services provided by the agencies and the issues encountered
- the relationships between the service providers and the clients/communities served
- the impact of political, economic and social policies on the organisation, staff professional practice and service users
- communication, ethical awareness, socio-cultural understanding; professional behaviour with diverse populations
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- understand the "whole person", and in particular the social and economic context of health and illness
- appreciate the interplay of medical, scientific, social, cultural, political, economic and ethical factors in health promotion
- develop knowledge of barriers faced by people in accessing services, their relevance to medicine and individuals health
- develop an understanding of social and public policy and how it impacts on individuals health
- develop an appreciation of how and why community organisations deliver their services
- Develop skills in communicating placement experience to an audience by different methods (oral and written presentations)
Assessment
Successful completion of this unit requires students to complete all phases of the project. This includes formulating a personal learning plan (a plan describing the placement goals and how these are achieved), completing their placement, carrying out the agency activity (group project), and finally presenting their projects. They must also complete a peer assessment (assessment of group dynamics and contribution of individual members towards project completion) and receive a favourable assessment from the field educator (FE's assessment).
personal learning plan: 10%; project report: 50%; project presentation: 40%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ong Chin Eng
Dr Uma Devi M Palanisamy
Contact hours
74 hours of formal study per semester (6 hours of lectures, 4 hours of tutorials, 64 hours of placement).
Prerequisites
PAC2331 and PAC2342
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PAC4261 - Drug delivery and development
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit will provide students with a detailed understanding of the specific biopharmaceutical and formulation considerations for non-oral drug delivery routes, including transdermal, pulmonary, nasal, buccal, rectal, vaginal, ocular, intramuscular and subcutaneous. The unit will also address advanced oral drug delivery technologies and targeted drug delivery systems.
The unit will provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge of pharmaceutics and further develop skills in evaluating scientific literature and preparing professional written reports.
The unit will explain the drug development process for novel therapeutic agents and generic drugs. These processes will be illustrated through the presentation of several case studies. Case studies will also be presented to highlight the importance of good manufacturing practices and quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry.
Outcomes
This aim of this unit is to expand the student's knowledge of biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and formulation considerations for a range of non-oral drug delivery routes, advanced oral drug delivery technologies and targeted drug delivery systems.
The unit will also provide students with an overview of the drug development process from pre-clinical stages through to product registration. Additionally, this unit aims to develop students' generic skills in evaluation of scientific literature, critical thinking, problem-solving, report writing, leadership and working in teams.
In this unit students will develop an appreciation of:
- The role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration and its responsibilities in ensuring the safe, efficacy, and quality of medicines available in Australia
- The process of clinical drug development
- The importance of Good Manufacturing Practices in the pharmaceutical industry
In this unit, students will develop an understanding of:
- The biopharmaceutical barriers to effective drug delivery various routes of drug delivery
- The formulation approaches that can be employed to overcome the biopharmaceutical barriers to effective drug delivery via various routes of drug delivery
- The advantages and disadvantages of various routes of delivery
- Situations when one route of delivery is preferred over another route of drug delivery
- The need for a quality system in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and
- The process for drug registration for a generic formulation compared to a novel therapeutic drug
- Phase I, II and III clinical trials
In this unit students will develope skills in:
- Analysis of pharmaceutical formulations and identification of key excipients
- Locating and evaluating scientific literature on pharmaceutical drug formulations
- Working effectively in teams
- Time management and meeting deadlines
- Writing scientific reports that reflect an understanding of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical rationale behind a specific pharmaceutical formulation
- Preparing high quality, well formatted and presented written documents
Upon completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the biopharmaceutical barriers to effective drug delivery various routes of drug delivery
- Discuss the formulation approaches that can be employed to overcome the biopharmaceutical barriers to effective drug delivery via various routes of drug delivery
- Analyse pharmaceutical formulations and identify key excipients and describe the potential functions of the excipients in the formulation
- Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of various routes of delivery
- Identify situations when one route of delivery is preferential to another route of delivery for a drug
- Discuss the need for a quality system in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and the role of Good Manufacturing Practices
- Explain why the process for drug registration for a generic formulation can be different to a novel therapeutic drug
- Summarise the purpose of Phase I, II and III clinical trials
- Describe the role of the TGA and its responsibilities in ensuring the safe, efficacy, and quality of medicines available in Australia
- Explain the process of clinical drug development
- Propose a rationale behind a specific pharmaceutical formulation
- Prepare a high quality, well formatted and presented written document
Assessment
group assignments: 25%; on-line quizzes: 10%; final exam (3 hour): 65%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Michelle McIntosh
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester which includes:
20 x 1 hour lectures
2 x 3 hour workshops
The remainder of the time is self-directed study and assignment preparation
Prerequisites
PAC3241 and PAC3252
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PAC4371 - Professional experience placement program
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
To enhance students' knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relevant to the practice of pharmacy; to further develop skills in communication and problem solving; and to provide the opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills under supervision in various practice settings through the Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Program.
Outcomes
Students will develop practice skills in a range of settings by applying the knowledge and understanding they have gleaned from other units within the course.
Specific learning outcomes for each PEP type are listed in the relevant student PEP manual.
Assessment
This unit will be assessed as satifying faculty requirements (SFR), which comprises for each of four PEPs:
Satisfactory completion of the PEP, including attendance at the briefing, full attendance at the placement site and attendance at the debrief;
Assessment by preceptors, in discussion with the student, using purpose-designed standard feedback forms;
A student evaluation of each PEP; and
A reflective report on a specified topic for reach PEP.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Kay Stewart
Contact hours
Placements of 420 hours (4 x 3 weeks x 5 days x 8 hours), four 1 hour briefings prior to placement (4/5 of class, for each placement, in lecture theatre) and four 1 hour small group debriefing sessions following placement.
Prerequisites
PAC3351 and PAC3362.
Students must take PAC4371 in their final year of study and must only be enrolled in fourth year units to ensure there are no clashes with placements.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PAC4382 - Context for practice III
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The aim of this unit is to further prepare students for practice as pharmacists.
This unit builds particularly on the third year units of the Pharmacy Practice stream (PAC3351, PAC3362) and the Professional Experience Placement program (PAC4371).
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Appreciate the leadership role of the pharmacist
- Plan life-long learning in the context required by the Pharmacy Board of Australia for registration purposes
- Dispense legally and accurately, including being proficient in pharmaceutical calculations
- Describe various extended roles of pharmacists
Assessment
Assignments 25%; Open book pactical examination 30% (includes hurdle pharmaceutical calculations quiz 10%); final examination 45%.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Kay Stewart (Parkville); Ms Lee Wang Wang (Sunway)
Contact hours
48 contact hours and 24 hours of self-directed learning
Prerequisites
PAC3351, PAC3362 and PAC4371. (Note: the result for PAC4371 may be WH but students must have completed at least three Practical Experience Placements.)
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PAC4441 - Integrated therapeutics: Endocrinology and renal
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit will provide an understanding of the pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy and management of various endocrine conditions and renal disease. Specifically, the unit will cover the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenocortical dysfunction, diabetes, men's and women's health and acute, chronic and drug-induced renal disease. Students will perform a number of tasks which will foster the development of critical thinking and oral and written communication skills.
Drug therapy principles for the aforementioned conditions and patient groups will be emphasised enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to provide clinical pharmacy services within these areas.
Outcomes
This unit aims to provide the foundations for understanding the main endocrine (hormone) systems in man, diseases of the endocrine system and pharmacotherapies that act through these systems. It will
also provide the basic knowledge required for the diagnosis and management of patients with renal disease.
- The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with each area will be presented in detail in an integrated fashion.
- The signs and symptoms associated with these conditions
- The chemistry of the different classes of drugs used in the management of these disorders.
- The concepts of structure-activity relationships for the drugs used in the management of these disorders.
- The pharmacology of the drugs used in the management of these disorders.
- The signs and symptoms, emphasising cardinal symptoms, of many conditions associated with these areas.
- The management of thyroid disease, diabetes and men's and women's health issues including drug and non-drug therapies.
- Management of renal disease including drug and non-drug therapies
- Current best practice for the management of these conditions with emphasis on the role of the pharmacist.
- Individual differences which may occur in these disorders and how they can be managed.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Betty Exintaris (Parkville); Mr David Chong (Sunway)
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PAC4451 - Integrated therapeutics: Dermatology and pain
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide the foundations for the management of dermatological conditions including patients who have wounds. It also covers the principles of
- pain pathways
- pain management for pain arising from a variety of sources and
- management of musculoskeletal disorders - rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis arthritis and gout.
The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with pain management are presented in detail in an integrated fashion.
Drug therapy principles for particular conditions and patient groups will be emphasized enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to provide clinical pharmacy services within these areas.
Students will perform a number of tasks that will help foster the development of critical thinking and oral and written communication skills, leadership and teamwork.
Outcomes
- The pathophysiology of pain and a range of musculoskeletal and dermatological conditions (including wounds);
- Skin structure and skin pathology;
- The signs and symptoms associated with a range of musculoskeletal and dermatological conditions (including wounds);
- The chemistry of the different classes of drugs used in the management of these disorders;
- The concepts of structure-activity relationships for the drugs used in the management of these disorders;
- The pharmacology of the drugs used in the management of these disorders;
- The pharmacology and pathways associated with nociception;
- The signs and symptoms, emphasising cardinal symptoms, of many conditions associated with these areas.
- Current best practice for the management of pain and musculoskeletal conditions, including drug and non-drug therapies, with emphasis on the role of the pharmacist.
- Current best practice for the management common dermatological and acute and chronic wounds, including drug and non-drug therapies, with emphasis on the role of the pharmacist.
- Individual differences which may occur in these disorders and how they can be managed.
Assessment
Mid-semester tests (online): 5%; problem-based tutorials: 20%; final exam: 75%
Chief examiner(s)
David Manallack
Contact hours
72 hours of directed learning per semester
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PAC4462 - Integrated therapeutics: Neurology and oncology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to lay a foundation of knowledge about diseases and disorders in neurology and oncology and to provide the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and use of drugs in the management of conditions of this type.
The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with each area are presented in detail in an integrated fashion.
Drug therapy principles for particular conditions and patient groups will be emphasised enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to provide clinical pharmacy services within these areas.
Specifically the unit will cover epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke and a range of common malignancies such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, bowel cancer, skin cancer, leukaemia, lung cancer, etc.
It will also deal with principles of palliative care and management of patients at the end of life.
Students will perform a number of tasks which will help with the development of critical thinking skills and oral and written communication skills.
Outcomes
- This unit aims to lay a foundation of knowledge about diseases and disorders in neurology and oncology and to provide the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and use of drugs in the management of conditions of this type.
- The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with each area are presented in detail in an integrated fashion.
- Drug therapy principles for particular conditions and patient groups will be emphasised enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to provide clinical pharmacy services within these areas.
- Specifically the unit will cover epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke and a range of common malignancies such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, bowel cancer, skin cancer, leukaemia, lung cancer, etc. It will also deal with principles of palliative care and management of patients at the end of life.
- Students will perform a number of tasks which will help with the development of critical thinking skills and oral and written communication skills.
Assessment
In-semester MCQ or short answer tests: 20%;Practical assessments (case-based exercises): 10%; final exam (3 hour): 70%
Chief examiner(s)
Phillip Bergen
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester (36 hours of lectures, 2 x 3 hour practicals, 2 whole class tutorials, self-directed learning).
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PAC4472 - Integrated therapeutics: Psychiatry
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit provides the basic knowledge required for the management of patients with a range of common mental health disorders. The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with each area are presented in detail in an integrated fashion.
Drug therapy principles for particular conditions and patient groups will be emphasised enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to provide clinical pharmacy services within these areas.
In particular, this unit will teach the chemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of drugs used to treat mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, dementia/delirium, insomnia, schizophrenia and child and adolescent mental health disorders.
Students will perform a number of tasks which will foster the development of critical thinking and oral and written communication skills.
Outcomes
- The anatomy and terminology of the central nervous system
- The pathophysiology of a range of common psychiatric disorders
- The chemistry of medications used in the management of psychiatric disorders
- The concepts of structure activity relationshsip for the drugs used in the managemernt of psychiatric disorders
- The pharmacology of the drugs used in the management of psychiatric disorders
- The chemistry and pharmacology of drugs of abuse
- The signs and symptoms, emphasising cardinal symptoms, of common psychiatric disorders.
- Diagnosing and differentiating psychiatric disorders.
- Management of psychiatric disorders including drug and non-drug therapies
- Current best practice for the medical management of these conditions with emphasis on the role of the pharmacist.
- Individual differences which may occur in these disorders and how they can be managed.
Assessment
Tutorial: 5%; Workshops: 20%; In-semester assessment: 5%; and Final Exam: 70%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Dan Malone
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester
36 Lectures per semester: 3 x1 hour per week (av)
Tutorials, workshops and problem based learning exercises: 27 hours
Assignment: 6 hours
In semester Tests 2 x 45 min: 3 hours
Prerequisites
PAC1111 Introduction to Physiology
PAC1132 Systems Physiology
PAC2171 Basis of Drug Action I
PAC2182 Basis of Drug Action II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PAC4482 - Advanced therapeutics
6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit builds on the knowledge and skills developed in the seven Integrated Therapeutics units.
This unit is predominantly conducted through group project work to provide the necessary skills for Continued Profession Development, improve oral and written communication and literature search and evaluation skills. It includes an online discussion group to familiarise students with the teaching methods utilised in the Monash Intern Training Program and an interactive virtual patient to facilitate Interprofessional Learning. Students will perform a number of tasks which will help with the development of critical thinking skills and develop their skills in decision-making and case-presentation.
The unit comprises three activities:
- Activity 1: Literature review of selected topics.This will include a literature review and presentation completed in small groups.
- Activity 2: Complex patient care. This will consist of two 3 week moderated discussion group blocks.
- Activity 3: Interprofessional Practice.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Retrieve and evaluate information on a range of topics.
- Present information relating to a topic in a coherent manner.
- Work in a team to achieve a common goal.
- Communicate effectively to peers, both in oral and written form
- Describe issues related to the management of patients with multiple diseases/acute illnesses.
- Evaluate individual patients' disease state management for multiple diseases.
- Determine appropriate therapeutic goals for a patient with multiple disease states and/or acute illnesses.
- Determine an appropriate monitoring program to allow assessment of management goals.
- Identify and analyse therapeutic management problems in patients with multiple disease states and determine appropriate monitoring regimens and management options that demonstrate the principles of evidence-based practice and quality use of medicines.
- Formulate an appropriate management plan for a patient based on the use drug and non-drug therapies.
- Conduct a Medication Management review for patients with multiple medication management.
- Identify solutions to a range of therapeutic issues in patients with multiple management problems.
- Contribute to the multidisciplinary management of a patient.
- Describe the role of the pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team.
- Recognise when referral for medical assessment is required with a particular emphasis on cardinal symptoms.
- Evaluate a patient's laboratory test results to assist with the diagnosis or management of disease.
- Evaluate a patient's disease state and the use of appropriate medications
- Identify any drug therapy problems and recommend appropriate resolutions of those problems.
- Formulate a medical management program for specific patients based on their medical, medication and psychosocial histories and laboratory test results.
Assessment
Activity 1: Literature Review of allocated topic 30%
Activity 2: Complex patient discussion group 20%
Activity 3: Interprofessional learning 0% (hurdle requirement)
End of semester (closed-book) Examination 50%
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Jennifer Marriott (Parkville); Dr Wong (Sunway)
Contact hours
72 hours of formal study per semester
Prerequisites
PAC3421, PAC3432, PAC4441, PAC4451
Co-requisites
PAC4472, PAC4462
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1011 - Physiology I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Notes
Synopsis
This unit lays a foundation of knowledge about mammalian systems and provides the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and use of drugs. Students will be introduced to the physiological basis of disease. Each organ and system will be considered, and one or more examples of disease states which are amenable to pharmacotherapy will be discussed in detail. The course aims to provide a basic understanding of the functions of organs and systems such as the nervous, endocrinological and cardiovascular systems; however, an equal emphasis will be placed on one of the key components of drug discovery, the choice of therapeutic target based on a thorough understanding of the disease process. The principle aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of basic biological principles and how these can be applied in pharmaceutical sciences as a basis for later work in other subjects within the course.
This involves:
- Introduction to Pharmaceutical Biology
- Body systems, organs, cells
- Information flow
- Nervous system
- Cardiovascular system
- Endocrinology
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the structure of each major organ / organ system considered within the course;
- Explain the function of each major organ / organ system considered within the course;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the physiological basis for the most common disease states to affect each organ / organ system considered within the course;
- Provide a detailed explanation of the rationale for the use of at least one drug therapy for each organ / organ system considered within the course, relating the drug target to the disease state;
- Research a topic in the area of physiology, and present the findings of such research to peers at an appropriate scientific level.
Assessment
Fortnightly quizzes: 10%; oral presentations: 15%; practical/PBL classes: 15%; final examination (2 hours): 60%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Jennifer Short
Contact hours
45 contact hours per semester: 24 hours of lectures, 6 hours of oral presentations/debates, 6 hours of practical, 3 hours of problem based learning and 6 hours of tutorials
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1012 - Physiology II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Notes
Synopsis
This unit builds and extends on concepts learnt in PSC1081 Physiology I. Whole body systems will be considered, and examples of disease states which are amenable to pharmacotherapy will be discussed in detail. The subject aims to provide an overview of the functions of the respiratory, digestive and urinogenital systems; an equal emphasis will be placed on one of the key components of drug discovery and the choice of therapeutic target based on a thorough understanding of the disease process.
This will involve the study of:
- Special senses
- Respiratory system
- Urogenital system
- Digestive system
- Focus on disease
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the structure of each major organ / organ system considered within the course.
- Explain the function of each major organ / organ system considered within the course.
- Explain the physiological basis for the most common disease states to affect each organ / organ system considered within the course.
- Provide a detailed explanation of the rationale for the use of at least one drug therapy for each organ / organ system considered within the course, relating the drug target to the disease state.
- Analyse simple examples organ dysfunction, and be able to explain the likely consequences for the function of the system.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 60%; online quiz: 10%; oral presentation: 10%; practical work: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Betty Exintaris
Contact hours
24 x 1 hour lectures
Four x 1 hour introductory practicals
Four x 3 hour practicals
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1021 - Organic chemistry I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide a specialist background in organic chemistry and provide a fundamental background for other aspects of pharmaceutical sciences. Topics include:
- Chemical Structure Bonding and Shape
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
- Alkenes and Alkynes
- Chirality
- Haloalkanes
- Alcohols, Ethers & Thiols
- Benzene and Its Derivatives
- Spectroscopy/Pharmaceutical Analysis
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Apply the key concepts in chemical structure and bonding, including functional groups, to the rationalisation of reactions of organic molecules;
- Explain the role of molecular shapes and electronic distributions as the basis for drug-receptor interactions;
- Be proficient in basic laboratory techniques.
Assessment
Written examination (3 hours): 80%; practical test: 10%; practical classes: 5%; tutorial classes: 5%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Bim Graham
Contact hours
51 contact hours per semester: thirty 1 hour lectures, five 3 hour practicals and six 1 hour tutorials.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1022 - Organic chemistry II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The two main aims of this unit are to:
- To provide the specialist background in organic chemistry.
- To provide essential fundamental background for other aspects of pharmaceutical sciences.
This unit provides students with introduction to the chemistry of biomolecules. Topics include:
- Amines
- Coordination compounds
- Aldehydes and Ketones
- Carboxylic Acids and Functional Derivatives
- Enolate Anions
- Organic Polymer Chemistry
- Carbohydrates
- Amino Acids and Proteins
- Nucleic Acids
- Lipids
- Drug Stability & Metabolism
- Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Apply the key concepts in chemical structure and bonding, including functional groups and biomolecules, to the rationalisation of reactions of organic molecules;
- Explain the role of molecular shapes and electronic distributions as the basis for drug-receptor interactions;
- Be proficient in basic laboratory techniques.
Assessment
Written examination (3 hours): 80%; practical test: 10%; practical classes: 5%; tutorial classes: 5%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Bim Graham
Contact hours
54 contact hours per semester: thirty 1 hour lectures, six three hour practicals and six 1 hour tutorials
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1031 - Physical chemistry I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Notes
Synopsis
This unit provides a basic understanding of physical chemistry and together with Physical Chemistry II (PSC1032) provides the conceptual and intellectual foundation for further studies in pharmaceutical science units in 2nd and 3rd year.
Students will develop an:
- Understanding of the physicochemical principles that underpin pharmaceutical chemistry, drug design and formulation design.
- Ability to undertake calculations concerning the physicochemical properties of pharmaceuticals and aspects of pharmaceutical products.
- Ability to measure some fundamental properties of pharmaceutical materials through practical exercises.
- Appreciation of the principles involved in the formulation of liquid products, including one and two phase liquid systems.
This will involve:
- Basics of excipients
- Ionic equilibria
- States of matter
- Thermodynamics
- Phase equilibria
- Electrochemistry
- Acid-base equilibria of functional groups
- Chemical kinetics
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe differences between the various states of matter, and the concepts of phase equilibria (phase rule, degrees of freedom, miscibility, azeotropes, eutectics) and calculate degrees of freedom for systems with defined components and phase behaviour.
- Define thermodynamic quantities and laws of thermodynamics, describe concepts of state functions, state variables, and the ideal state.
- Define acidity and basicity constants in the context of species in solution, describe the principles behind the role of buffers, and discuss their importance in pharmacy. Perform calculations to describe the influence of pH on properties of species in solution.
- Recognise the most common organic functional groups that exhibit acidic or basic behaviour in aqueous solutions.
- Describe and perform calculations involving oxidation potentials and discuss their relevance in pharmaceutical products.
- Describe kinetics terminology including reaction rate, rate constant, order of reaction, elementary step, rate determining step and catalysis. Describe kinetic theories. Describe the relationships between and conduct calculations involving reaction rates, concentration, and temperature and activation energy.
- Be proficient in basic laboratory techniques, including familiarity with SI units.
Assessment
Written examination (3 hours): 70%; practical test: 10%; practical classes: 10%; tutorial classes: 5%; written quiz: 5%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Elizabeth Yuriev
Contact hours
72 contact hours per semester
Prohibitions
PSC1071
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1032 - Physical chemistry II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Notes
Synopsis
Solutions, self-assembled systems, multiphase liquid systems and the properties of solids that yield pharmaceutical solutions are key to the performance and manufacture of pharmaceutical products. This unit aims to build on PSC1071 Physical Chemistry II to provide students with a firm understanding of the physical chemistry that underpins the properties and dissolution of pharmaceutical solids and additives to form solutions. In particular an understanding of the physicochemical properties of pharmaceutical solids (drugs and excipients), their transfer into solution form and properties of those solutions from a pharmaceutical science perspective will set the foundation for students to understand the impact of these properties and concepts in pharmaceutical and other formulated products. The key concepts are related directly to aspects of a suite of representative pharmaceutical products allowing the students to put the concepts into a relevant context. The understanding of these principles will also assist students in their understanding in some areas of chemistry, physiology and biology.
This will involve:
- Physical chemistry of solutions
- Solids, semisolids and solubility
- Interfacially active molecules and their use in formulation
- Acid-base functional groups
Outcomes
Students will develop an:
- Understanding of the physicochemical principles that underpin the important processes of pharmaceutical solids dissolving to form a solution. In particular an understanding of dissolution, solubility and distribution are critical in many areas of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science.
- Understanding of the physical chemistry of solutions once formed will be gained through this unit, including the influence of ionizable functional groups and structure on solution behaviour.
- Understanding of the behaviour of surface active agents at interfaces and in solution, and how micelles can improve drug solubilization.
- Understand the physicochemical principles behind the formulation of liquid products, including one and two phase liquid systems.
- Understanding of the behaviour and properties of pharmaceutical solids and semisolids.
- Understanding of rheological concepts for fluids
- Understanding of the role and effect of components (excipients) used to produce solution based dose forms in the pharmacy field.
- Ability to undertake calculations concerning the physico-chemical properties of drug solutions.
- Ability to measure fundamental solution properties through practical exercises.
At the end of this unit students be expected to:
- Describe the various forms of pharmaceutical solids and their impact on drug solution properties.
- Describe the properties of polymers in solution and their rheological aspects.
- Be able to calculate various rheological properties.
- Describe the differences between the terms solution, supersaturation, solubility, solubility parameter, dissolution, distribution (in a physical chemistry sense) and partitioning.
- Describe the factors that influence ideal and non-ideal solubility.
- Describe strategies typically used to improve drug solubility.
- Describe the impact of ionization on partitioning.
- Outline the theories for prediction of drug solubility from solid state properties.
- Calculate changes in solubility with pH for ionisable compounds.
- Calculate and express solution concentrations in molarity, molality, mol fraction and equivalents.
- Describe the physical chemical concepts of solutions of non-electrolytes in terms of vapour pressure, Raoult's Law and Henry's Law.
- Describe the physical chemical concepts of solutions of electrolytes in terms of molar conductivity, Kolrausch's Law, activity and ionic strength.
- Use Kolrausch's Law to calculate molar conductivities using the van't Hoff Factor. Calculate partial pressures for ideal and non-ideal systems given concentrations and activity coefficients. Calculate ionic strength using activity coefficients, Debye Huckel approximation and the extended Debye Huckel theory.
- Outline the common colligative properties and perform simple calculations to quantify these properties.
- Describe the meaning and importance of isotonicity in pharmacy, and perform simple calculations of isotonicity. Describe methods of determination of tonicity of pharmaceutical solutions.
- Describe each component of Fick's first law of diffusion in relation to drug transport across biological membranes.
- Calculate the percentage of ionized and unionized species of an ionizable drug molecule at different pH values and describe the impact of such pH changes on overall drug absorption across a biological membrane.
- Describe the behaviour of surface active molecules at interfaces
- Describe the different classes of surface active molecules and their effect on surface tension
- Describe the location and behaviour of surface active molecules in multiphase systems, particularly emulsions
- Calculate hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, and quantities of surfactants required to form emulsions of a required HLB value.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 70%; written quizzes: 20%; written practical test: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ian Larson
Contact hours
72 contact hours per semester
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1041 - Mathematics for pharmaceutical scientists
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
To provide students with the basic mathematical skills in the context of a Pharmaceutical Science background, to enable them to perform calculations and understand the quantitative relationships in subjects taught later in the course.
This involves:
- Basic mathematical skills
- Basic statistical skills
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Be able to make calculations such as dilutions accurately.
- Be able to present data graphically and to interpret the shapes of graphs.
- To be able to use functions involving logarithms and exponents.
- To understand the process of differentiation and integration and to be able to perform these processes by a number of techniques.
- To be able to quantify the relationship between variables using such techniques as regression and correlation.
- Describe the statistical principles behind significance testing of experimental data.
- Analyse statistically experimental data and determine statistical significance.
- Appreciate the importance of statistics in pharmaceutical sciences.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 80%; online assessments: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Daniel Tokarev
Contact hours
32 hours of lectures; 8 hours of tutorials
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC1042 - Introduction to pharmaceutical sciences
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit is designed to introduce the students to the major fields of the applied sciences in which pharmaceutical scientists specialise. Participants are introduced to the following areas as they apply to the chemistry, biology and formulation of medicines and related products:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Drug Discovery Biology
- Formulation Science
Students will also have the opportunity to attend specialised seminars on pharmaceutical science research.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe how drugs have been discovered in the past and how molecular biological methods have revolutionised the science of drug discovery
- Understand how molecular, cellular, tissue and in vivo biological assays each play a role in drug discovery
- Understand the principles involved in chemical synthesis of drugs
- Appreciate the principles of chemical structure-based drug design
- Understand the processes of lead optimization
- Understand the underlying requirements for formulating products
- Understand fundamentals of formulating different types of product including; suspensions, emulsions, semi-solids, powders and compacts
- Understand how poisons and dangerous substances are controlled by legislation
- Produce a project plan with Gannt Charts, Work Breakdown Structures
- Use Microsoft project to produce project plans
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 60%; written quizzes: 10%; practical: 10%; oral presentation: 10%; project management oral presentation and team project: 10%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Morton
Contact hours
36 lectures, 6 hours of tutorials and 30 hours practical work. Students are also expected to attend plant tours and workshops on pharmaceutical science research. Successful completion of this unit will require participants to allocate an average of 1.5 hours additional study time per week for 12 weeks (a total of 72 hours per study period).
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/index.html
PSC2011 - Pharmaceutical biochemistry
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
An introduction to biomolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleotides) and their functions. An introduction to protein 3-D structure determination, crystallisation and structures of receptors, membrane proteins, antibodies and co-factors. An understanding of enzyme inhibition and classification of enzyme inhibitors. Stereochemistry and conformational analysis of carbohydrates. The process of cellular (organism) information flow including DNA and RNA synthesis and protein metabolism. Metabolism including energy metabolism (glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation); carbohydrate and fat metabolism including cholesterol metabolism and mechanisms of lipid transport and the overall integration of metabolism and its relation to metabolic diseases.
This will involve the study of:
- Proteins
- Nucleic Acids and Information Flow
- Carbohydrates and Lipids
- Metabolism
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- discuss methods used in elucidating the 3-D structures of proteins, identify domains in protein structures with similar or different functions and appreciate the applications of protein engineering.
- understand how enzymes can catalyse specific reactions, explain how a receptor is activated and understand how antibodies recognise and bind to antigens.
- classify enzyme inhibitors into different types and discuss the advantages and disadvantages for each type.
- discuss stereochemistry and conformational analysis of carbohydrates.
- able to demonstrate fatty acids nomenclature and classify lipids into different types.
- demonstrate their understanding of nucleotides, nucleic acids and the nature of information transfer by discussing aspects of the process from an enzymatic to biomolecular level.
- demonstrate their understanding of the principle metabolic pathways and the basis of their regulation and connections by describing their roles and how they are regulated.
- demonstrate their understanding of integrated biochemical and physiological functions, pathophysiological and biochemical or genetic perturbations as they affect bodily functions by describing how the metabolic pathways are regulated under normal fed and fasting conditions and a diseased condition such as diabetes mellitus type 1.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 70%; written test: 10%; practical test: 10%; practical work: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Ossama El-Kabbani
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures, 5 hours of tutorials and 3 practical classes
Prerequisites
Organic chemistry (PSC1021, PSC1022) and physiology (PSC1081 and PSC1082).
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2021 - Analytical methods
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Analytical Methods lays a foundation of knowledge for the analytical identification and quantitation of chemical entities used in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries (eg. polymers, cosmetics & paints). The subject provides the participant with basic principles and concepts of atomic and molecular spectroscopy (spectrochemical methods of analysis), separation (chromatographic) methodologies, compositions of solutions & chemical equilibria, classical (titrimetric) methods of analysis and electroanalytical methods of analysis.
This will involve:
- Chemical Equilibria
- Classical Methods of Analysis
- Analytical Separations
- Spectrochemical Methods of Analysis
- Electrochemical Methods of Analysis
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the chemical compositions of aqueous solutions, the effects of electrolytes on chemical equilibria and solve equilibrium calculations for simple and complex systems.
- Describe the basic principles underlying gravimetric and titrimetric methods of analysis (including precipitation titrations, neutralization titrations, complex acid/base systems, complexation reactions and titrations and non-aqueous titrations) and perform simple calculations to determine the concentrations of species of interest.
- Develop an understanding of basic separations and chromatographic theory and apply this knowledge in predicting the separation, identification and quantitation of compounds.
- Acquire knowledge of commonly used instrumental techniques for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of compounds, namely GLC and HPLC.
- Explain the basic properties of electromagnetic radiation and the interactions between radiation and matter on an atomic and molecular level and calculate specific spectrochemical descriptors (energy, frequency, wavelength, % transmittance and absorbance).
- Describe the functions of instrumental components used in optical spectrometry.
- Describe the basic principles and applications of molecular absorption, molecular fluorescence and atomic absorption/emission spectroscopy.
- Describe the fundamental principles of electrochemistry in terms of oxidation/reduction reactions, perform simple electrochemical calculations based upon the Nernst equation and describe the application of electrochemical techniques (oxidation/reduction titrations, potentiometry and voltammetry) to the analysis of commercially significant compounds.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 60%; written assessments: 10%; practical experiments: 20%; practical exam: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ben Capuano
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures; nine 4 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PSC1021 Organic chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic chemistry II
PSC1041 Mathematics for pharmaceutical sciences
PSC1071 Physical chemistry I
PSC1072 Physical chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2062 - Pharmacology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
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).
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Identify how chemicals exert biological actions.
- Show how these actions can be affected by modulators of the signal transduction cascade.
- Describe how the autonomic nervous system regulates specific body functions.
- Vividly describe some aspects of neurotransmitter signaling and interactions in the CNS.
- Reveal the wonder of cardiovascular system pharmacology.
- Showcase the pharmacological activities of reproductive and glandular systems.
- 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/
PSC2092 - Molecular cell biology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to introduce students to essential elements of cell biology. Participants in this unit will cover Introductory Microbiology; Eukaryotic Cell Biology; and Development and Cancer. The subject provides an essential foundation for understanding cell biology and its use in biological research and the pharmaceutical industry.
This will involve:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology (introduction)
- Molecular Biology and Genomics
- Cell signalling
- Development
- Cancer
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of basic microbiology including basic technologies, classification of microorganisms, and principles of microbial genetics
- explain and analyse molecular biology experiments
- demonstrate an understanding of eukaryotic cell biology by being able to explain the processes of normal cell function including comparing and contrasting how cellular processes are regulated by signalling
- Compare and contrast how organisms develop and respond to internal and environmental signals
- explain how cell control can be deregulated and predict its consequences
- analyse experiments and experimental techniques that are used in the study of cell biology
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 65%; mid-semester exam: 7.5%; practical / tutorial assessments: 22.5%.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Helen Irving
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures; 3 hours whole class tutorials; 6 hours computer aided learning; 3 hours problem based learning; seven 3 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PSC1081 Physiology I
PSC1082 Physiology II
PSC1021 Organic Chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic Chemistry II
PSC2011 Pharmaceutical Biochemistry
or equivalent subjects.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2121 - Synthetic chemistry I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Synthetic Chemistry A lays a foundation of knowledge about the structure and reactivity of the key functional groups found in pharmaceuticals. Participants in this unit will also be introduced to the art of designing and performing multi-step syntheses of bioactive compounds. Knowledge in this area will be further extended in the semester two unit, Synthetic Chemistry B.
This will involve:
- Electrophilic addition reactions and stereochemistry
- Substitution and elimination reactions
- Aromatic compounds
- Carbonyl compounds
- Additional oxidation-reduction reactions and amines
Outcomes
At the end of this unit the student will be expected to;
- have a detailed knowledge the structure and properties of the common functional groups contained in pharmaceuticals
- be able to name organic molecules according to IUPAC nomenclature
- understand the reactivity of these functional groups
- understand basic reaction mechanisms
- understand basic reaction kinetics and thermodynamics relevant to organic synthesis
- have the practical ability to perform a basic chemical reaction / synthetic step
- have the practical ability to isolate and purify reaction products.
Assessment
Final exam: 50%; mid-semester exam: 20%; practical reports: 20%; practical exam: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Professor Peter Scammells
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures; nine 4 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PSC1021 Organic Chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic Chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2122 - Synthetic chemistry II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This subject aims to provide students with an understanding of:
- the principles of coordination and bio-inorganic chemistry and how these relate to the design and synthesis of metal-based and metal-chelating therapeutic agents
- the utility of organometallic reagents in organic synthesis
- the fundamentals of pericyclic reactions and their application to the synthesis of bioactive compounds
- the chemistry used to prepare heterocycles and their substituted derivatives, including several important heterocyclic drugs
This will involve:
- Coordination chemistry and inorganic medicinal chemistry
- Organometallic reagents in synthesis
- Pericyclic chemistry
- Synthesis of heterocycles
- Reactions of aromatic heterocycles
- Synthesis of heterocyclic drugs
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe and rationalise the properties of simple coordination complexes
- Describe synthetic routes for preparing coordination complexes
- Explain how a variety of metal-based therapeutic agents work
- Draw mechanisms and rationalise the outcome of a range of organometallic, pericyclic and heterocyclic reactions
- Apply knowledge of organometallic, pericyclic and heterocyclic reactions to the design of synthetic routes for preparing simple organic compounds
- Describe the syntheses of several important heterocyclic drugs
- Demonstrate the development of synthetic laboratory skills appropriate for a 2nd year student
- Demonstrate the development of written communications skills appropriate for a 2nd year student
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 70%; practical assessments: 20%; practical exam:10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Bernard Flynn
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures; nine 4 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PSC1021 Organic Chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic Chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2141 - Computational chemistry
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit provides an introduction to the techniques and applications of molecular modelling with particular emphasis on methods used in drug design. The unit contains two streams:
- modelling methods; which introduces quantum mechanics, molecular mechanics, energy optimisation and molecular simulation and
- modelling applications; which covers quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR), pharmacophores, structure-based drug design and homology modelling.
This will involve:
- Modelling methods in computational chemistry
- Applications of molecular modelling
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will have:
- A broad understanding of computational chemistry and its application to drug bimolecular problems.
- An understanding of common molecular modelling terminology. - An appreciation of the factors involved in performing quantum mechanical (QM) calculations and the information that these calculations can provide.
- An appreciation of molecular mechanisms energy calculations and the information that these calculations can provide.
- An understanding of the components making up molecular mechanic force fields including bond stretching, angle bending and dihedral angle terms and nonbonded interactions (van der Waals and electrostatic).
- An understanding of molecular potential energy surfaces and the concepts of global and local minima. - An appreciation of energy optimisation methods including steepest descents and conjugate gradient methods.
- An appreciation of approaches to finding global energy minima.
- An understanding of the Boltzmann distribution and the relationship between temperature and the population of energetic states.
- An appreciation of molecular simulation methods.
- An understanding of drug physicochemical properties including electronic, steric and hydrophobic characteristics.
- An understanding of the statistical methods used to develop QSAR equations
- An appreciation of the application of QSAR in drug discovery.
- An appreciation of impact of drug physicochemical parameters on biopharmaceutical properties.
- Un understanding of the pharmacophore concept and its use in drug discovery.
- An appreciation of structure and ligand-based drug design.
- An appreciation of homology modelling methods.
- The ability to use a specific molecular modelling package to study molecular conformation and analyse drug-receptor interactions.
- Describe the molecular interactions which govern molecular structure including bonded, non-bonded and electrostatic interactions.
After completing this unit the student will have the following practical skills:
- Perform simple molecular modeling studies using the molecular modeling package Sybyl.
- Describe the processes involved in molecular mechanics energy calculations.
- Explain the processes involved in running quantum mechanics calculations.
- Interpret and critique a QSAR equation.
- Generate statistically acceptable QSAR equations from physicochemical parameters and biological activity data.
- Derive simple pharmacophore models.
- Describe protein-ligand interactions and how an understanding of these can be applied to drug design.
- Investigate a research topic using literature sources and write a simple report.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 70%; mid-semester exam: 10%; practical assessment: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Chalmers
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures; nine 4 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PSC1021 Organic Chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic Chemistry II
PSC1041 Mathematics for Pharmaceutical Scientists
PSC1071 Physical Chemistry I
PSC1072 Physical Chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2182 - Introduction to spectroscopy
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
An introduction to the major techniques which underpin the practical aspects of compound identification for medicinal chemistry: UV spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, Mass spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy.
Outcomes
After completing this unit students will be expected to be able to:
- Describe how spectroscopic techniques can be used in the process of identification of small drug like molecules.
- Describe briefly the phenomena behind the spectroscopic techniques.
- Analyse UV, IR, 1D NMR and Mass spectra of an unknown molecules and to use these to determine their structure.
- Analyse 2D NMR spectra as a means to assign the NMR spectra of more complex molecules.
- Demonstrate the correct reporting of spectroscopic data as used in medicinal chemistry.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 60%; Mid-semester exam: 20%; Practical assessments: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr James Swarbrick
Contact hours
36 hours of lectures; 3 hours of tutorials; 7 hours computer aided learning; five 3 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PSC1021 and PSC1022 or equivalent
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2202 - Product development I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
There are three main aspects associated with Product Development in the pharmaceutical industry: quality, safety and efficacy. This unit will focus on Quality. The lecture material and activities are designed to give students the necessary background and exposure to the various aspects of Product Development that impact on the Quality of Therapeutic Products and regulatory controls that are used to ensure quality is maintained.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- the development processes for therapeutic goods
- the labeling requirements specifically for therapeutic goods
- the many facets of GMP, GLP and quality assurance,
- intellectual property,
- product approval processes in Australia, the USA and Rest of World
- clinical trials
- issues and processes in the marketing of pharmaceutical products,
The students will gain industry relevant expertise in:
- assembling product specification documentation,
- writing controlled documents such as standard operating procedures (SOPs)
The unit also includes an Industry Week with the primary aim of the students gaining an appreciation of how the product development process is conducted in a real world situation. Debrief sessions provide a forum for students to present a summary of their experience in Industry Week and how aspects of the course work related to their experience, providing the students with valuable public speaking/communication experience.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the various stages in Drug Product Development and product registration process.
- Source required information on drugs, dosage forms, drug products and test methods from pharmacopoeia to support product development activities.
- Prepare a specification document for a pharmaceutical product including a valid label.
- Discuss the issues associated with development and quality control under GLP conditions.
- Describe what is meant by quality assurance and how it relates to manufacturing processes and product development.
- Describe what is involved in obtaining a GMP license to manufacture therapeutic goods, and the recording and documentation required to maintain it.
- Prepare a Standard Operating Procedure.
- Describe the approval processes for therapeutic products.
- Provide a description of the different stages of clinical trials.
- Describe terminology and basic concepts around intellectual property.
- Discuss the issues involved in the marketing of pharmaceutical products.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hours): 60%; written assessments: 40%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Laurence Orlando
Contact hours
22 hours of lectures; 11 hours of tutorials; 2 hours of presentations; 30 hours practical classes (industry week).
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2241 - Colloid chemistry
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit lays a foundation of knowledge about the characterisation and behaviour of colloid sized particles and the role their surfaces play in determining this behaviour. It also provides an introduction to the structure and behaviour of surfactant based systems.
This will involve:
- Colloidal systems
- Sedimentation and Diffusion
- Osmotic pressure
- Rheology
- Surface tension and Contact angles
- Insoluble and Soluble Monolayers
- Surfactant systems
- van der Waals forces
- Electrical double layers and Electrokinetics
- Colloid Stability and DLVO theory
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- describe lyophilic and lyophobic colloids;
- differentiate between and illustrate kinetic and thermodynamic stability;
- differentiate between solutions and dispersions;
- define and describe rheological behaviour of suspensions and solutions;
- predict suspension stability in terms of DLVO theory;
- describe DLVO theory and its components;
- describe different types of interaction that can occur between particles in different concentration of polymer - both adsorbing and non-adsorbing;
- illustrate and describe the total energy of interaction between surfaces.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 60%; written assignments: 20%; practical reports: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ian Larson
Contact hours
6 hours of directed learning per week
Prerequisites
PSC1071 Physical Chemistry I
PSC1072 Physical Chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2271 - Formulation chemistry I
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit contributes to the conceptual and intellectual foundation for further studies in Formulation Science units in 2nd and 3rd year . Areas covered include excipient properties and uses, and the basics for formulating different types of liquid homogeneous and heterogenous systems.
This will involve:
- Properties of excipients
- Liquid formulation design
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Classify formulation excipients. These include carbohydrates/polysaccharides, lipids, thickeners, lubricants, humectants, preservatives, organoleptics and synthetic polymer excipients
- Understand the physical and structural chemistry of the major classes of formulation excipients.
- Understand product classes of different forms, general use of excipients in different classes of products, design and optimisation of liquid formulations.
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 85%; written/presentation/oral assessments: 15%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Richard Prankerd
Contact hours
25 hours of lectures; 8 hours of tutorials; 1 hour presentation
Prerequisites
PSC1021 Organic Chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic Chemistry II
PSC1071 Physical Chemistry I
PSC1072 Physical Chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC2272 - Formulation chemistry II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit provides the conceptual and intellectual foundation for further studies in Formulation Science units in 3rd year. Broad areas covered include detailed study of chemical and physical stability in liquid and in solid pharmaceutical systems; overview of biotechnologically produced proteins, including their manufacture, characterisation, stability and delivery; the design and formulation of lyophilised solids for reconstitution; and a survey of polymeric excipients.
This will involve:
- Overview of reaction kinetics (general consequences; basic equations)
- Effects of physicochemical properties on reaction rates; acid-base equilibria of functional groups
- pH-rate profiles
- Nucleophilic reaction mechanisms
- Free radical reactions (oxidation; photodegradation)
- Solid state degradation (chemical degradation; moisture uptake; physical changes)
- Lyophilisation
- Advanced Degradation mechanisms
- Protein therapeutics
- Polymer excipients
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Understand and competently use standard methods for quantitative analysis of concentration-time profiles, to obtain degradation rate constants, half-lives and shelf-lives
- Understand the physicochemical factors that influence reaction rates, especially the roles of temperature and acid-base equilibria
- Understand mechanisms for chemical degradation of typical organic drugs and excipients, and their applicability to new situations, with emphasis on:
- nucleophilic reactions; and
- free radical reactions
- Understand and apply methods for minimising the extent of degradation reactions, thus leading to increased life-times of formulated products
- Appreciate the complex kinetics involved in oxidation, photochemical and solid state degradation
- Understand the key physicochemical issues for therapeutic proteins
- Understand the key aspects of protein formulation by lyophilisation
- Show a broad understanding of polymer types, properties and uses in formulations
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 80%; practical assessments: 15%; mini-exam: 5%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Richard Prankerd
Contact hours
32 hours of lectures; 10 hours of tutorials; six 3 hour practical classes
Prerequisites
PSC1021 Organic Chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic Chemistry II
PSC1071 Physical Chemistry I
PSC1072 Physical Chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC3032 - Current aspects of pharmaceutical biology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
To introduce students to essential elements of pharmaceutical biology. Specifically this unit will introduce students to the pharmacological principles of drug research.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to comprehend:
- applications of stem cell biology in drug discovery and therapeutics,
- analysis of function in cellular screening models,
- opportunities in cell based-therapies,
- novel targets for design of anti-cancer agents,
- RNA interference and gene therapy,
- cancer immunotherapy and vaccine design,
- protein pharmaceuticals, and
- 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/
PSC3042 - Disease states and pharmacological intervention
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit builds on the previous physiology and pharmacology units and aims to describe the pathophysiology of the following important disorders: hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and depression. This unit will provide a solid grounding of knowledge as to how biological systems are affected by these diseases and how drugs can be used to modify these changes and rebalance a person's physiology. Logical approaches to designing experiments using different biological research methods to identify new therapeutic targets for these disorders will also be explored.
This will involve the study of:
- Hypertension
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Schizophrenia
- Parkinson's disease
- Diabetes
- Depression
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of the six diseases under study.
- Describe the physiological mechanisms which have been affected by these disorders.
- Explain how affected physiological mechanisms can be manipulated by currently used drugs.
- Design an experiment using various biological research methods to identify targets which may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of the disorders to be studied.
- Analyse data obtained from research data to see whether a new drug is considerably more effective than an established one.
- Explain the different pharmacological targets which can be exploited to rebalance a patient's physiology in the treatment of disease.
- Demonstrate the development of written and oral communication skills appropriate for 3rd year students - explain the pathophysiology for one disease state and one associated drug treatment, relating the drug target to the disease state.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 70%; Ongoing assessment and practical workshops: 30%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Sab Ventura
Prerequisites
PSC1042 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Sciences
PSC1082 Physiology II
PSC2062 Pharmacology
PSC2092 Molecular cell biology
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/
PSC3081 - Biopharmaceutics
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit builds upon previous learning related to physiology and physical chemistry to provide the student with an understanding of factors affecting absorption of drugs following oral administration and alternative routes of delivery. This unit introduces students to pharmacokinetics and how this may be affected by formulation design and route of administration.
This will involve:
- Oral drug absorption
- Pharmacokinetics
- Bioavailability
- Parenteral formulations
- Alternative routes of drug delivery
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Discuss the physiological and physicochemical factors affecting drug absorption across the small intestine
- Define and calculate pharmacokinetic parameters, including drug clearance, elimination half-life, volume of distribution, fraction unbound and fraction excreted unchanged in urine
- Calculate predicted plasma concentrations of drugs given the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug
- Define bioavailability and estimate the absolute and relative bioavailability of drugs given plasma concentration data
- Understand the physical, chemical and biological factors affecting parenteral drug delivery
- Understand formulation techniques for poorly water soluble drugs
- Discuss the factors affecting drug delivery to the eye, buccal cavity, nasal cavity, skin, lungs, vagina and rectum
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 75%; mini-exams: 20%; debate: 5%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Joseph Nicolazzo
Contact hours
34 x 1 hour lectures, 4 x 2 hour tutorials/presentations/conversations and 1 x 3 hour workshop/debate
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/
PSC3091 - Molecular basis of drug action
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit will introduce students to the different mechanisms of action by which drugs exert their biological activity. It will address the interactions between endogenous ligands and drugs with their receptors, enzymes or nucleic acids, and the way that drugs mimic, oppose or modify those interactions. Students will be introduced to the scope of medicinal chemistry techniques used in contemporary drug discovery.
This will involve the study of:
- G-protein coupled receptors
- Other Receptor types
- Ion Channels
- Nuclear Hormone Receptors
- Drugs interacting with Oligonucleotides
- Enzyme and Enzyme Inhibition
- Metal Ions in Enzymes and in Nucleic Acid Targeted Drugs
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- identify the common classes of receptor and link this to an ability to define receptor agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists and allosteric modulators. In addition students will be able to cite examples of how compounds acting at receptors act as therapeutic agents.
- describe various classes of enzymes by the reactions they catalyse and show an understanding of the kinetic properties of enzymes.
- describe the utility of substrate analogues, transition state analogues, and irreversibly binding compounds as enzyme inhibitors. This will also be linked to an ability to understand how enzyme inhibitors act as therapeutic agents.
- describe the role of metal ions in enzymatic processes.
- show how platinum-based drugs interact with oligonucleotides to disrupt cell processes and link this to an understanding of the importance of oligonucleotide structure to protein expression.
- show how ligands can recognize and modify DNA tertiary structure and link this with an ability to cite examples of how compounds acting at oligonucleotides function as therapeutics.
- distinguish ligand-based design, structure-based design and mechanism-based design strategies.
- understand the principles governing the generation of small molecule structure activity relationships.
- understand approaches to peptidomimetic design.
- acquire skills in researching information and to present the findings in a structured, logical and fluent manner.
- be proficient in chemical laboratory techniques and communicating the results in written form.
Assessment
poster presentation: 10%; practical sessions and reports: 20%; final exam: 70%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Manallack
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures and nine 4 hour practicals
Prerequisites
PSC1021 Organic chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic chemistry II
PSC2011 Pharmaceutical biochemistry
PSC2062 Pharmacology
PSC2092 Molecular cell biology
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/
PSC3092 - Computational chemistry in drug design
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The Computational Chemistry II unit will focus on computational chemistry techniques in conjunction with related disciplines to provide a fundamental background to the field of drug design and drug discovery. The subject will cover a range of topics in the area of drug lead identification: structure based design, pharmacophores, molecular properties and databases, an introduction to bioinformatics and a short synopsis of advanced Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) methods.
This will involve the study of:
Within the topic of "pharmacophores/molecular properties and databases" the following topics will be explored: Representations of molecular and biological data, molecular and biological databases, prediction of molecular properties, the concept of 'druglikeness', prediction of bioavailability, Lipinski's rule of five and related studies, bioassays and screening methods. Pharmacophore generation and pharmacophoric groups in conjunction with subsequent database searching methods will also be explored.
- Structure-based drug design
Within the topic of "structure-based drug design" the following topics will be explored":
docking, conformational and orientational searching (posing) and scoring methods. Applications of Structure-based drug design: virtual screening and de novo drug design.
The bioinformatics module will expose students to practical methods and the underlying algorithms used in contemporary software systems. Sequence alignment, BLAST searching and homology modelling will be covered.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe and explain the concept of druglikeness.
- Analyze and explain the importance of understanding molecular physicochemical properties in drug design.
- Outline the utility of databases in drug development.
- Apply molecular fingerprint methods to assessing molecular similarity
- Detail the application of virtual screening in lead identification.
- Describe the application of pharmacophores for the selection of screening candidates.
- Describe and apply basic methods in bioinformatics.
- Undertake projects that require researching information sources and to present the findings in a structured, logical and fluent manner.
- Conduct and be proficient in chemical laboratory techniques, and communicating the results in written form.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 70%; Workshop/practical exercises and assignments: 30%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Manallack
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures and four 3 hour practicals
Prerequisites
PSC2141 Computational chemistry
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/
PSC3112 - Drug discovery and development
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
To explain the processes whereby new drugs are discovered and developed, from initial ideas through to full clinical use in man, and to illustrate the interphase between the biosciences and pharmaceutical business.
This will involve:
- drug lead identification
- target identification and validation
- proteomics, genomics and pharmacogenomics
- drugs to treat infectious diseases and the use of bioisosteres in drug design
- Target identification, validation and biological evaluation
- the importance and application of pharmaceutics in drug development
- the clinical trial process
- Intellectual Property
- Computational aspects of drug discovery
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will have an understanding of:
- The major approaches to drug discovery
- The process of identifying a drug target and the steps required to validate that target
- Drugs that treat infectious diseases and approaches to developing those drugs
- The importance of pharmaceutics in drug development
- Regulatory requirements for drugs
- The clinical trial process
- Legal documentation of pharmaceutical product invention
- Computational methods in drug discovery
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 80%; written assignment: 10%; oral presentation: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr David Chalmers
Contact hours
36 x 1 hour lectures
Prerequisites
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
PSC3121 - Synthetic medicinal chemistry
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The principle aim of this subject is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of numerous aspects of synthetic organic chemistry, as it applies to modern medicinal chemistry.
The subject follows from PSC2121 and PSC2122, covering advanced organic synthesis and methodology. Topics include catalysis in synthesis, radical chemistry, organometallic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, reactive intermediates and stereochemistry, as well as retrosynthetic analysis. An understanding of reaction mechanisms will be emphasized throughout. The practical component reinforces aspects of the lecture course with laboratory experience.
This will involve:
- Catalysis and biocatalysis
- Organometallic reactions
- Radical reactions
- Heterocyclic Chemistry
- Asymmetric Synthesis
- Reactive Intermediates
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to demonstrate:
- a wider knowledge of synthetic methodology;
- a knowledge of the use of catalysis in synthetic chemistry;
- an understanding of radical reactions and their role in synthesis;
- a broader knowledge of organometallic and heterocyclic chemistry;
- a broader understanding of asymmetric synthesis and methods for the resolution of stereoisomers;
- the ability to undertake a retrosynthetic analysis and to design a synthesis of a target molecule;
- the ability to read and understand the synthetic organic chemistry literature;
- the practical ability to perform a routine synthesis in the laboratory and experience of most common operations in an synthetic chemistry laboratory;
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 60%; mid-semester exam: 10%; practical assessments: 20%; practical exam: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Jamie Simpson
Prerequisites
PSC2121 Synthetic Chemistry I
PSC2122 Synthetic Chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC3122 - Chemical technologies for the pharmaceutical sciences
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit describes the chemical technologies used in the drug discovery and development process to illustrate advanced chemistry. The unit will build on the previous units of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science. Assignments will be carried out in small teams and will help the students learn how teams work together. Topics include:
- Combinatorial Chemistry and Diversity-Oriented Synthesis: to introduce students to the fundamental principles of combinatorial and diversity-oriented synthesis, as applied to lead discovery and optimisation,
- Ionic Liquids: to introduce the properties and use of alternative solvents such as ionic liquids and supercritical fluids in the synthesis of drugs,
- Synchrotrons for medicinal chemists: to introduce students to synchrotron science and explore its uses and possible uses in chemistry and drug design,
- Click Chemistry and Fragment-based drug discovery: have a broad understanding of the various fragment-based approaches to drug discovery,
- Microreactors/ Microfluidics: to introduce the use of microreactors and microfluidics in synthesis and pharmaceutical preparation,
- Process chemistry: to introduce aspects of process development including reaction optimisation by minimizing handling, optimising transformations and reducing impurities. Large scale purification methods, reaction pathway, solvent and reagent sources.
Outcomes
After completion of this unit, students will understand the important modern chemical technologies in the pharmaceutical sciences, and be expected to be able to discuss the following topics:
- Combinatorial Chemistry and Diversity-Oriented Synthesis:
- Comprehend the basic principles and defining features of combinatorial chemistry and diversity-oriented synthesis;
- Appreciate the utility (and limitations) of combinatorial chemistry and diversity-oriented synthesis in identifying biologically active lead compounds;
- Describe several methods for identifying biologically active compounds within a combinatorial library;
- Contrast the methodology and equipment used in "mix-and-split" versus parallel syntheses, and solid-phase versus solution-phase syntheses;
- Comprehend the chemistry involved in solid-phase peptide synthesis and the synthesis of a number of heterocyclic compound libraries.
- Ionic Liquids:
- Have a knowledge of alternative solvents of use in synthetic chemistry applications, specifically as applied to synthesis of drugs and drug-like molecules - advantages and disadvantages;
- Be able to describe the types of ionic liquids, as well as their synthesis and properties;
- Have a knowledge of the use of ionic liquids in synthesis;
- Be able to describe the use of supercritical CO2 in synthesis, with specific reference to controlling stereoselectivity in drug synthesis;
- Be able to describe the use of high temperature water in synthesis.
- Synchrotrons for medicinal chemists:
- To explore how synchrotrons work and understand the properties of synchrotron light;
- To explore the advantages of using synchrotron sources when compared with laboratory sources;
- To develop an understanding of the great range of synchrotron beamlines and their primary uses;
- To explore in more detail the beamlines that are likely to be of use to medicinal chemists;
- To develop a knowledge of synchrotron applications in drug design, drug synthesis, drug analysis and drug interaction;
- Describe and understand how synchrotrons operate, have a knowledge of all the beamlines on the Australian synchrotron and understand the synchrotron advantages;
- Understand in greater detail the beamlines of importance to medicinal chemists;
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the applications of synchrotrons that are relevant to chemists;
- Click Chemistry and Fragment binding:
- Understand the process of identifying and linking low affinity molecular fragments to product higher affinity ligands for a target biomolecule;
- Have a detailed knowledge of the principles and key reactions involved in dynamic combinatorial chemistry and click chemistry;
- Appreciate the scope of reactions and methods used in linking fragments in situ
- Have a knowledge of the use of x-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry in fragment-based approaches to drug discovery;
- Be familiar with successful examples where a fragment based approach has resulted in high affinity ligands for protein targets.
- Microreactors/Microfluidics:
- To understand the benefits and problems associated with the use of microreactor and microfluidic methods in the synthesis of pharmaceutically important substances.
- Process Chemistry:
- To recognise the major factors which drive process chemistry;
- To recognise the challenges involved in transferring discovery processes into large scale process synthesis;
- Appreciate the roles that route, reagent, solvent selection, safety and waste generation play on chemical processing;
- Be able to apply knowledge of the above to transform an expedient synthesis into an optimal synthesis.
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 80%; written assignments: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Jamie Simpson
Contact hours
36 1 hour lectures and whole class tutorials as requested
Prerequisites
PSC2011 Pharmaceutical biochemistry
PSC2021 Analytical methods
PSC2121 Synthetic chemistry I
PSC2141 Computational chemistry I
PSC2062 Pharmacology
PSC2082 Introduction to spectroscopy
PSC2092 Molecular cell biology
PSC2122 Synthetic chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/
PSC3181 - Spectroscopy
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The subject expands on the use of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques and their applications in medicinal chemistry. After a review of structural elucidation via analysis of one dimensional NMR spectra, a range of more complex methods will be covered. The use of two dimensional NMR in the identification and characterisation of more complex organic compounds is introduced. Techniques for the assignment of spectra for more complex molecules will be described and the application of NMR spectroscopy to larger biomolecules including peptides will be introduced.
The energetic factors which drive the processes of drug-receptor interaction will be described and energetic factors that drive the processes of drug-receptor interactions will be discussed. The use of electronic spectroscopy, including absorption and fluorescence, for measurement of drug-protein binding will be described. The uses of other biophysical techniques including surface plasmon resonance and calorimetry will also be discussed. The use of NMR spectroscopy to measure the interaction of drugs with biological molecules and the effects of chemical and conformational exchange on the appearance and analysis of NMR spectra will be described.
This will involve:
- Thermodynamics
- Advanced NMR Spectroscopy
- Biophysical techniques for measurement of interactions
- Optical Spectroscopy
Outcomes
After completing this unit students will be expected to be able to:
- Analyse and interpret two dimensional spectra so as to identify the chemical structures of compounds;
- Define the term Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (NOE) and account for the observation of NOEs in one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectra of both small and large molecules;
- Analyse and interpret NOE data to determine the conformation of small molecules;
- Analyse and assign two-dimensional NMR spectra of small peptides;
- Describe quantitatively the relationship between enthalpy, entropy and free energy;
- Describe quantitatively the relationship between changes in free energy and equilibrium;
- Apply the concepts of this thermodynamics module to selected examples of biochemical energetics, protein-drug binding and drug-receptor interactions;
- Describe the principal NMR-based strategies for drug discovery and design;
- Detail the factors which govern photon-initiated electronic excitation, and describe the processes by which molecules can relax. In particular, to describe the phenomena and applications associated with fluorescence;
- Apply their knowledge of biophysical techniques including NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance and calorimetry to analyse experimental data describing drugs binding to their receptors
- Measure and record data relevant to the understanding of drug structure and and drug-receptor interactions;
- Perform numerical calculations based on experimental or theoretical data;
- Present written or oral results of experimental work.
Assessment
Final exam (2.5 hour): 60%; mid-semester exam: 20%; practical assessments: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Martin Scanlon
Contact hours
24 1 hour lectures, 12 1 hour tutorials and nine 4 hour practicals
Prerequisites
PSC2182 Introduction to Spectroscopy
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC3182 - Research project
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide students with a foundation for the development of research skills in the area of medicinal chemistry. Students will conduct preliminary medicinal chemistry research encompassing one or more of the core competencies that underpins the degree program, namely chemical synthesis, analysis, structural biology and computational chemistry.
This will involve:
- Synthetic organic chemistry
- Structural biology
- Computational chemistry
- Pharmacological screening
- X-ray crystallography
- Biochemistry
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will:
- Have an improved knowledge and better understanding of some aspects of the basic science concepts supporting medicinal chemistry;
- Be able to undertake a review of the literature and present an evaluation of the literature;
- Have a basic understanding of the process involved in developing and planning a research project;
- Be competent to use relevant analytical instrumentation, conduct experimental procedures and methodologies;
- Be able to undertake data manipulation and analysis and have a basic understanding the results;
- Be able to communicate the outcomes of the project in the form of an oral presentation and a written scientific report.
Assessment
written report (mini-thesis): 60%; laboratory work: 30%; oral presentation; 10%
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ben Capuano
Contact hours
12 6 hour practicals, Monday-Friday for Weeks 6-9 inclusive
Prerequisites
PSC2121 Synthetic chemistry I
PSC2122 Synthetic chemistry II
PSC2021 Analytical methods
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/
PSC3201 - Product development II
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide the student with applied "job-ready" pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical formulation skills through understanding and applying concepts like preformulation, formulation with ICH recommended statistical strategy of 'Design of Experiments', and subsequent manufacturing processes.
This unit covers:
- Milling and mixing
- Filling
- Material drying and handling
- Packaging and labelling operation
- Powder properties and material of construction
- Fundamental and derived properties of solid powders
- Preformulation principles
- Tabletting theory and practice
- Design of experiments principles and application
- Sterile products manufacture principles
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Understand the importance of Design of Experiments (DoE) in the ICH and Quality By Design (QbD) context in each stages of product development;
- Understand and manipulate high level Excel functions to produce an automatic calculation programs;
- Apply these functions to elaborate a DoE program to automatically run Plackett Burman screening DoEs and factorial plans that can be applied in the context of this unit, other units in the curriculum (PSC3202) as well as in Industries during their placement (PSC3252) and ultimately in their future professional activity;
- Interpret DoE results that are collected by the students during the tablet formulation practicals in this unit and draw conclusions about identification of critical process parameters;
- Write a report based on scientific publications including DoEs found in the literature;
- Enumerate and understand the various tests used in preformulation;
- Discuss the industrial context and purpose for, as well as the basic theory of processes for: particle size reduction, powder blending, material drying, material handling and transport;
- Appreciate the types of industrial equipment that may be used in manufacturing a range of formulated products including mixers, mills, material transport and filling machines, labeling machines, pumps and packaging machines, and be able to discuss factors associated with identifying the most appropriate equipment, and materials of construction as well as formulation factors that may be influenced by such different types of manufacturing machinery;
- Identify the specificities of sterile manufacturing;
- Have a basic appreciation of fine powder behaviour and characteristics, and material properties influencing formulation;
- Discuss the role and general properties to consider as well as applications of various types of packaging and various label types, and discuss methods/operations involved in production of packaging and labels;
- Manufacture spray dried powders and appreciate the different parameters involved in the quality of the resulting product.
Assessment
Final exam (2 hour): 70%; practical assessments: 10%; tutorial assessment: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Laurence Orlando
Contact hours
24 hour lectures, 28 hour practical, 20 hours tutorials.
Prerequisites
PSC2202 Product development I (formerly PSC2102)
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/
PSC3202 - Applied analytical methods
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This unit aims to provide the student with applied "job-ready" analytical competencies and allows students to develop skills in analytical method development and validation especially in the context of HPLC. This unit is taught according to a Problem Based Learning method in order to further enhance the "job- readiness" aspect of the learning.
This will involve:
- Essential analytical laboratory skills training
- GLP documentation organisation
- Team work organisation
- HPLC theoretical principles
- Knowledge of associated equipment
- Applied HPLC method development
- Applied HPLC method validation
- HPLC troubleshooting
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Correctly use pipettes, pH meters, balances, conduct volumetric dilutions and filtration;
- Correctly label equipment, write and codify and understand the importance of GLP documentation;
- Organise and work in a student team constituted of a project manager, a QA manager and scientists responsible for the instrument, solutions preparation and software (roles rotate every week) as in industry;
- Effectively use HPLC instruments to conduct analysis, applying all components of the HPLC process, solution and sample preparation, HPLC set-up and operation, HPLC instrument software;
- Understand and practically improve resolution by modifying capacity factor k', efficiency N (optimum linear velocity- Van Deemter equation), understand the concepts of band broadening and modify HPLC parameters to minimize it;
- Improve resolution by understanding and modifying selectivity using different columns and stationary phase chemistry;
- Understand the differences between isocratic and gradient methods, apply a gradient method to shorten the run time of a separation while maintaining an acceptable resolution;
- Manipulate the HPLC software to operate the HPLC system to accurately integrate a peak for quantitative analysis;
- Understand principles of Method Validation (linearity, range, LOD LOQ, precisions, accuracy, reproducibility, robustness), generate and analyse validation data in an iterative process in order to pass acceptance criteria as articulated in ICH guidelines;
- Use a Plackett Burman Design of experiment (developed by the students in PSC3201) to study the robustness of the developed method as specified in ICH guidelines;
- Identify, understand and exploit for improvement the differences between HPLC and UHPLC;
- Troubleshoot common HPLC problems, maintain HPLC systems and columns.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hours): 60%; Practical work: 30%; Workshop/discussions work: 10%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Laurence Orlando
Dr Michelle McIntosh
Contact hours
16 hours of workshops, 16 hours of discussion, 32 hours of practicals. 6 hours per week of self-study is also expected.
Prerequisites
PSC2021 Analytical methods
PSC3201 Product development II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC3252 - Industry project
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
The aim of the unit is to:
- Provide students with exposure to formulation science and other projects in an industrial setting;
- Give students experience in working in teams, problem solving and preparation of reports;
- Discuss career planning with Career Start experts;
- Discuss professional behaviour;
- Discuss how to present well in resumes and interviews;
- Expose students to real interviews with industrials for student placement selection;
- Write a pre-placement career plan;
- Give students the tools to confidently present their work in a self explanatory manner.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Understand how formulation science or other projects are run in the industry;
- Work in team in the context of a professional environment;
- Design an experimental approach to solving a problem;
- Prepare a technical report on experimental work conducted;
- Conduct a technical presentation;
- Identify areas of interest for their future career;
- Prepare for the professional world;
- Conduct interviews and write resumes.
Assessment
Satisfactory performance at industrial site and project written report.
Satisfactory presentation at the industry with a clear explanation of the context and the results and conclusions.
Satisfactory reports on career plan.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Laurence Orlando
Contact hours
140 hours of practical placements.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/
PSC3271 - Formulation chemistry III
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This subject will cover the formulation of agricultural products including herbicides and pesticides, personal care products, veterinary products and disinfectants and antiseptics.
This will involve:
- Agrochemicals
- Veterinary
- Personal Care products
- Cosmetics
- Antiseptics
Outcomes
After completing this unit students will be expected toable to:
- Understand Describe the regulatory framework around the use agricultural active ingredients, their transport and safe usage;
- Develop an understanding ofExplain the need for and use of adjuvants in the rational design of agricultural chemical applications;
- Have an appreciation of the use ofDescribe the use of experimental factorial design;
- Understand List the terms used in and have a knowledge of standards for, classes of, modes of action and tests of disinfectants and antiseptics;
- Understand thatExplain why animal anatomy and physiology, formulation properties, economics, convenience, disposition and pharmacokinetic profile are important in the design and action of veterinary formulations;
- Understand Explain the rational formulation of and need for moisturisers, cleansers and sunscreens.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 70%; antiseptic assignment/presentation: 10%; practical reports: 20%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ian Larson
Contact hours
24 1 hour lectures, one three hour tutorial/presentation and seven three hour practicals
Prerequisites
PSC2271 Formulation chemistry I
PSC2272 Formulation chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/
PSC3272 - Advanced formulation and nanotechnology
6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
This subject will cover advanced drug delivery nanotechnologies and parenteral formulations.
This will involve:
- Drug delivery nanotechnologies
- Microemulsions
- Liposomes
- Injectables
Outcomes
Describe the principles behind the formulation of nanotechnology drug delivery systems, microemulsions, liposomes and parenteral formulations.
Assessment
Final exam (3 hour): 70%; practical reports: 30%.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ben Boyd
Contact hours
24 1 hour lectures
Prerequisites
PSC2202 (formerly PSC2201) Product development I
PSC2271 Formulation chemistry I
PSC2272 Formulation chemistry II
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/muso
PSC6111 - Advanced medicinal chemistry and drug action
12 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.250 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Students will attend advanced compulsory course work sessions including non-assessable introductory programs, and assessable coursework components relevant to medicinal chemistry and drug action. The coursework will be taught within the research theme. Students will undertake coursework study equivalent to a minimum 40 hours of contact which directly supports the research project they are conducting. The coursework program will be overseen by the Faculty research training committee.
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit the participant will;
- Have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of medicinal chemistry and drug action research field
- Be proficient in safe work practices for a chemical laboratory
- Be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline
- Have a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
- Be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based studies
- Be able to present scientific results in a style suitable for publication
- Have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the pharmaceutical sciences discipline
Assessment
Course work activities will generally be confined to first semester and include a combination of tutorials, research specific lectures, non-assessable and assessable written work, (or examinations) relevant to the coursework material within their research area.
The assessment for coursework is worth 25% of the overall final mark.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Phillip Thompson
Prerequisites
The prerequisite for entry to the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is a bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation Science or other related field. An average overall credit grade or higher in the final year of the course, or equivalent qualifications and experience deemed by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Training Committee to be suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study is required.
PSC6112 - Research in medicinal chemistry and drug action
36 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.750 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Students will conduct a research project under the guidance and supervision of a member of the academic staff of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences theme: Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Action. The research project will be carried out according to the conventions of the chosen research area and in an established academic/research environment. Students will receive regular advice from their supervisors on the rationale and design of the research project, instruction in the relevant experimental techniques, feedback on the outcomes of their investigations, guidance in the presentation of their research findings, and ongoing assistance in learning methodologies. At the conclusion of the research project the findings will be presented in a mini research thesis. Students will receive advice and guidance, within specified guidelines, from their supervisors on the preparation and presentation of a research thesis with support from Faculty and University education support programs. The thesis will be examined by internal examiners and by the supervisor evaluation.
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit the participant will;
- Have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the drug delivery and lead optimization research field
- Be proficient in safe work practices for a chemical laboratory
- Be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline
- Have a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
- Be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based studies
- Be able to present scientific results in a style suitable for publication
- Have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the pharmaceutical sciences discipline
Assessment
The assessment for this unit will include the following:
Preliminary oral presentation 0
Mini-thesis 55
Final oral presentation 10
Supervisor's mark 10
The student will be required to conduct a literature review relevant to their research project and present a non-assessed preliminary oral presentation early in their candidature. This presentation will provide their interpretation of the background behind the project and the techniques required to conduct the research project.
The preparation of the mini-thesis throughout the candidature will be guided closely by the supervisor at all times.
Coursework activities will be conducted jointly to support the progression of the research work and the preparation of the final thesis. The final oral presentation is the culmination of the years work and should reflect the findings obtained, the students' interpretation of these and the conclusion they draw from their investigations.
The assessment for research is worth 75% of the overall final mark.
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Ossama El-Kabbani
Prerequisites
The prerequisite for entry to the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is a bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation Science or other related field. An average overall credit grade or higher in the final year of the course, or equivalent qualifications and experience deemed by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Training Committee to be suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study is required
PSC6211 - Advanced drug delivery and lead optimization
12 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.250 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Students will attend advanced compulsory course work sessions including non-assessable introductory programs, and assessable coursework components relevant to drug delivery and lead optimization. The coursework will be taught within the research theme. Students will undertake coursework study equivalent to a minimum 40 hours of contact which directly supports the research project they are conducting. The coursework program will be overseen by the Faculty research training committee.
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit the participant will;
- Have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the drug delivery and lead optimization research field
- Be proficient in safe work practices for a chemical laboratory
- Be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline
- Have a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
- Be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based studies
- Be able to present scientific results in a style suitable for publication
- Have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the pharmaceutical sciences discipline
Assessment
Course work activities will generally be confined to first semester and include a combination of tutorials, research specific lectures, non-assessable and assessable written work, (or examinations) relevant to the coursework material within their research area.
The assessment for coursework is worth 25% of the overall final mark.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Phillip Thompson
Prerequisites
The prerequisite for entry to the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is a bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation Science or other related field. An average overall credit grade or higher in the final year of the course, or equivalent qualifications and experience deemed by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Training Committee to be suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study is required.
PSC6212 - Research in drug delivery and lead optimization
36 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.750 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Students will conduct a research project under the guidance and supervision of a member of the academic staff of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences themes of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, and Centre for Drug Candidate Optimization (CDCO). The research project will be carried out according to the conventions of the chosen research area and in an established academic/research environment. Students will receive regular advice from their supervisors on the rationale and design of the research project, instruction in the relevant experimental techniques, feedback on the outcomes of their investigations, guidance in the presentation of their research findings, and ongoing assistance in learning methodologies. At the conclusion of the research project the findings will be presented in a mini research thesis. Students will receive advice and guidance, within specified guidelines, from their supervisors on the preparation and presentation of a research thesis with support from Faculty and University education support programs. The thesis will be examined by internal examiners and by the supervisor evaluation.
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit the participant will;
- Have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the drug delivery and lead optimization research field
- Be proficient in safe work practices for a chemical laboratory
- Be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline
- Have a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
- Be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based studies
- Be able to present scientific results in a style suitable for publication
- Have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the pharmaceutical sciences discipline
Assessment
Preliminary oral presentation 0
Mini-thesis 55
Final oral presentation 10
Supervisor's mark 10
The assessment for research is worth 75% of the overall final mark.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor David Taylor
Prerequisites
The prerequisite for entry to the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is a bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation Science or other related field. An average overall credit grade or higher in the final year of the course, or equivalent qualifications and experience deemed by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Training Committee to be suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study is required.
PSC6311 - Advanced medicine use and safety
12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Students will attend advanced compulsory course work sessions including non-assessable introductory programs, and assessable coursework components relevant to medicine use and safety. The coursework will be taught within the research theme. Students will undertake coursework study equivalent to a minimum 40 hours of contact which directly supports the research project they are conducting. The coursework program will be overseen by the Faculty research training committee.
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit the participant will;
- Have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of medicine use and safety research field
- Be proficient in safe work practices for a laboratory (if relevant)
- Be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline
- Have a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
- Be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based/or otherwise studies
- Be able to present scientific results in a style suitable for publication
- Have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the pharmaceutical sciences discipline
Assessment
Course work activities will generally be confined to first semester and include a combination of tutorials, research specific lectures, non-assessable and assessable written work, (or examinations) relevant to the coursework material within their research area.
The assessment for coursework is worth 25% of the overall final mark.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor Phillip Thompson
Prerequisites
The prerequisite for entry to the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is a bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation Science or other related field. An average overall credit grade or higher in the final year of the course, or equivalent qualifications and experience deemed by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Training Committee to be suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study is required.
PSC6312 - Research in medicine use and safety
36 points, SCA Band 2, 0.750 EFTSL
Refer to the specific
census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.
Synopsis
Students will conduct a research project under the guidance and supervision of a member of the academic staff of the CMUS themes. The research project will be carried out according to the conventions of the chosen research area and in an established academic/research environment. Students will receive regular advice from their supervisors on the rationale and design of the research project, instruction in the relevant experimental techniques, feedback on the outcomes of their investigations, guidance in the presentation of their research findings, and ongoing assistance in learning methodologies. At the conclusion of the research project the findings will be presented in a mini research thesis. Students will receive advice and guidance, within specified guidelines, from their supervisors on the preparation and presentation of a research thesis with support from Faculty and University education support programs. The thesis will be examined by internal examiners and by the supervisor evaluation.
Outcomes
At the completion of this unit the participant will;
- Have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the medicine use and safety research field
- Be proficient in safe work practices for a chemical laboratory
- Be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline
- Have a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
- Be able to execute and analyse a set of (laboratory-based/or otherwise) studies
- Be able to present scientific results in a style suitable for publication
- Have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the pharmaceutical sciences discipline
Assessment
The assessment for this unit will include the following:
Preliminary oral presentation 0
Mini-thesis 55
Final oral presentation 10
Supervisor's mark 10
The assessment for research is worth 75% of the overall final mark.
Chief examiner(s)
Associate Professor David Taylor
Prerequisites
The prerequisite for entry to the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is a bachelor degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation Science or other related field. An average overall credit grade or higher in the final year of the course, or equivalent qualifications and experience deemed by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Training Committee to be suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study is required.