MEDSCI 321 : Special Topic: Concepts in Pharmacology
Medical and Health Sciences
2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Requirements
Course Contacts
Malcolm Tingle (m.tingle@auckland.ac.nz) and Leslie Schwarcz (l.schwarcz@auckland.ac.nz)
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the nature and classification of types of drug targets; including receptor-ligand relationships and signal transduction systems; agonism and antagonism; potency and efficacy; dose/concentration response relationships. (Capability 1)
- Summarise the role of input, distribution and elimination processes on drug concentration, and explain how physicochemical properties of drugs relate to pharmacokinetic principles. (Capability 1)
- Discuss the relevance of non-clinical species to the prediction of human drug safety as well as the basis and consequences of drug interactions and adverse effects. (Capability 1 and 2)
- Apply scientific reasoning and methods to experimental design for drug concentration and drug toxicity. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
- Identify , locate, analyse, interpret and integrate scientific information then communicate and acknowledge such published literature (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Understand and describe current issues and debates in drug therapy and use. (Capability 1, 4 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Workshops and quizzes | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Poster | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Essays | 60% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Workshops and quizzes | ||||||||||
| Poster | ||||||||||
| Essays | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 22 hours of workshops, 2 hours of test, 46 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 80 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Online
Attendance is required at scheduled online activities including workshops to receive credit for components of the course.
The course will include live online events including group discussions, and workshops and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is not required for the test.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
N.B. This course is run in parallel with a post-graduate course. There is a once a week two hour workshop in place of lectures.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
- Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
- Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
This course was offered in 2021 for the first time and student numbers were below the threshold for SET
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.