PHA3032 - Neuro and endocrine pharmacology - 2018

This unit provides an integrated understanding of how drugs affect neuronal and endocrine function. Four major areas are covered: major neurotransmitters within the brain, reproductive endocrinology, metabolism and disorders of pancreatic and thyroid function, mood and pain, and, neurodegenerative disorders. The focus is on mechanisms of action, use and side effects of drugs affecting a range of neuronal and endocrine functions and includes topics such as drugs used in anaesthesia and sedation, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia and psychoses, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, reproduction and contraception, diabetes, thyroid function and metabolism and calcium homeostasis.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of central neurotransmitter and endocrine systems to predict the effects of drugs;
2. Integrate and reconstruct knowledge underlying the cellular mechanisms of neuro- and endocrine pharmacology to predict outcomes in the whole animal;
3. Present, analyse and interpret data from a range of experiment types and discuss this in the context of current scientific literature;
4. Execute experiments in neuropharmacology and endocrine pharmacology to present, analyse and report the data obtained;
5. Source, integrate and critically evaluate the scientific literature to address a defined pharmacological problem relating to neuro- or endocrine pharmacology.

Examination (3 hours): 50% (Hurdle)

Assignment: 15% (Hurdle)

Practicals and in-class exercises: 20% (Hurdle)

Tests: 15%

This unit is subject to the [[http://www.med.monash.edu.au/

policies/assessment-policy-2017.html][Hurdle and Threshold

Standards policies]] of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences.

Two 1-hour lectures and three hours of laboratory or self-directed learning/ tutorial per week

See also Unit timetable information

Pharmacology