PHARMACY 111G : Drugs and Society
Medical and Health Sciences
2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The use of drugs has always been a feature of human society, and the basis for such use has been complex and varied. Whether for medicinal, cultural, recreational or spiritual use, all societies demonstrate drug taking behaviour. This course will discuss drugs, drug mechanism, drug treatment of different disease, drug targeting and their place in human societies, with a particular emphasis on the use of drugs and medicines in contemporary New Zealand. Several topics will be covered within each of five themes revolving around drugs and society.
In 2024 this course will be offered mainly in face-to-face mode (but still have a couple of lectures that might be delivered in a blended learning mode to provide students with the flexibility of learning online). We encourage students to participate in face-to-face tutorials where key learning points are discussed and dialogue around critical thinking is applied.
Course Contacts
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the basic principles behind the action of medicines on the body i.e. pharmacology (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Explain the basic concepts of drug safety and optimal use of medicines (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Demonstrate a critical and informed understanding of the use of common alternative and complementary medicines such as herbal and homeopathic remedies (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Demonstrate an understanding of drug treatment options for common diseases in New Zealand, such as infections, cancer, skin, and mental health disorders (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Develop an awareness of the future for drugs and societies, particularly the issues and developments arising in western societies (Capability 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6)
- Demonstrate an understanding of how research evidence is used as the basis for the use of drugs in society (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Five MCQ Quizzes | 20% | Individual Test |
| Essay | 30% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Five MCQ Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Essay | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
A grade of at least 50% is needed to pass the course. Additionally, both the essay and the final exam should be completed to pass the course.
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 26 hours of lectures, 6 x one hour tutorials, 115 hours of reading and thinking about the content and also time to work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
In 2024 this course will be offered mainly in face-to-face mode (but still have a couple of lectures that might be delivered in a blended learning mode to provide students with the flexibility of learning online). We encourage students to participate in face-to-face tutorials where key learning points are discussed and dialogue around critical thinking is applied.
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is not required for the MCQ tests.
Final exam will be delivered online via Inspera.
Lectures and other learning activities (such as tutorials) will be available as recordings.
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.
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.
Other Information
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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, 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.