PHA3032 - Neuro and endocrine pharmacology - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

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

Faculty

Science

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Bradley Broughton

Coordinator(s)

Dr Bradley Broughton
Dr Klaudia Budzyn

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2019 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

PHA3011 and one of PHA3021, BMS3021 or BMS3031

Synopsis

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.

Outcomes

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.

Assessment

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Examination (3 hours): 50% (Hurdle)

Assignment: 15% (Hurdle)

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

Tests: 15%

This unit is subject to the Hurdle and Threshold Standards policiesHurdle and Threshold Standards policies (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy-2017.html) of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences.

Workload requirements

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

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study