MEDSCI 735 : Concepts in Pharmacology

Medical and Health Sciences

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores cellular and molecular mechanisms of drug action and drug discovery and development from the perspective of in silico modelling, biochemical assessment, intracellular signalling and human disease. Considers the pharmacokinetic processes involved in achieving clinically-relevant drug concentrations, the link between concentration and effect, the time course of effect and factors that may influence both clinical effectiveness and drug toxicity.

Course Overview

This course is designed to develop skills through a variety of opportunities; e.g. assessments, individual feedback. This requires regular in person attendance and engagement. 

Course Requirements

Restriction: MEDSCI 321

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
Graduate Profile: Master of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe 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, 2 and 4)
  2. Interpret the role of input, distribution, and elimination processes on drug concentration and how physicochemical properties of drugs relate to pharmacokinetic principles. (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  3. Appraise the role of exposure, concentration and time on toxicity and its consequent impact on biochemistry and the clinical effectiveness of drugs. (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  4. Locate , analyse, and critique the pharmacological literature to demonstrate an understanding of current issues and debates in drug therapy and use. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussions 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Presentation 15% Individual Coursework
Essay 15% Individual Coursework
Assignment 40% Individual Coursework
Peer Assessment and Reflection 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Discussions
Presentation
Essay
Assignment
Peer Assessment and Reflection

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, a 2 hr oral presentation session, 46 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 80 hours of work on assignments. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
Learning activities including tutorials may not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

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.

Powerpoint slides delivered at the lectures will be provided to students electronically through Canvas. Presentations may be modified prior to delivery at the discretion of each lecturer.

Supplemental reading for discussion and the assessments is available via the Talis Reading List.

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.

Student feedback in MEDSCI 735 is ongoing due to the strong relationships between staff and students. Students enjoy the course, especially the many skills developed and the process of studying one drug from development to clinical use. 

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.

Published on 27/10/2022 09:53 a.m.