units

PAC1111

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

18 September 2017 31 December 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 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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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.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
OfferedMalaysia First semester 2015 (Day)
Parkville First semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Jennifer Short (Parkville); Dr Ong Chin Eng (Malaysia)

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 the basic biochemistry and molecular biology of the cell, and will then consider in detail the structure and function of the nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and endocrine 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.

Topics to be covered will include:

  • introduction to physiology
  • cells,tissues, organs and systems
  • membranes
  • DNA replication, gene transcription and translation
  • introductory biochemistry
  • the nervous system
  • cardiovascular physiology
  • muscle
  • endocrinology.

Outcomes

At the end of this unit, students can be expected to:

  1. Describe the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including RNA transcription / translation processes, energy utilisation, and the role of the major classes of macromolecules;
  2. Explain the function of each major organ / organ system considered within the course, with reference to the structure;
  3. Explain the physiological basis for the most common disease states to affect each organ / organ system considered within the course;
  4. Analyse simple examples of cellular and organ dysfunction, and be able to explain the likely consequences for the function of the system;
  5. 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): 50%; mid semester test: 10%; end semester test: 10%; practical/case study assessments: 15%; an elective written assignment task: 10%; and in-class assessment 5%.

Workload requirements

Contact hours for on-campus students:

  • Twenty four 1-hour lectures (with 12 hours allocated for preparation)
  • Four 1-hour tutorials
  • One 3-hour practical class
  • Four 2-hour case based learning sessions
  • Two 1-hour in-semester tests

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jennifer Short

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

http://www.monash.edu/pharm/current/