PHARMCOL 399 : Capstone: Integrated Pharmacology

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A capstone that applies fundamental principles of pharmacology and toxicology to the safe, effective and responsible use of drugs through investigation of a current area of pharmacological research. Emphasises experimental design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation, as the scientific basis for rational, evidence-based decision-making.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDSCI 204 and 30 points from MEDSCI 203, 205, 206, BIOSCI 203, and 30 points from MEDSCI 318-320

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: University

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply the concepts and theories in pharmacology across the sub-disciplines of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicology. (Capability 1)
  2. Evaluate the ethical issues surrounding pharmacological research and drug use, including the context of ethical oversight and drug use in New Zealand (Capability 6)
  3. Evaluate existing knowledge critically and use an evidence-based approach to define problems in the context of pharmacology principles and in New Zealand populations (Capability 1, 2 and 6)
  4. Apply methods used within the field of pharmacology to seek solutions to selected problems associated with drug development and use (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  5. Demonstrate an ability to lead research work, by working individually and within a team, and display competence in the practical skills required to undertake pharmacological research (Capability 4 and 5)
  6. Demonstrate the application of competence in numeracy and data handling, data presentation and literacy to analyse experimental data and generate reports appropriate to the discipline of pharmacology (Capability 4)
  7. Communicate key pharmacological principles and data effectively and appropriately based on the target audience (Capability 4 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Group Assessment 10% Peer Coursework
Visual display of data 30% Individual Coursework
Experimental Design 15% Individual Coursework
Literature review 15% Individual Coursework
Integrated written assignment 30% Individual Coursework
CV and myCDES portfolio Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Group Assessment
Visual display of data
Experimental Design
Literature review
Integrated written assignment
CV and myCDES portfolio
CV and myCDES portfolio is a 'must complete' component required to pass the course 

Learning Resources

The Pharmacology Capstone course is designed to utilise the disciplinary knowledge and skills acquired in prerequisite courses

Course Contacts

Rachel Cameron (r.cameron@auckland.ac.nz) and Malcolm Tingle (m.tingle@auckland.ac.nz)

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 will spend 2 h per week in student-led interactive face-to-face  workshops,  and 16 hours in practical laboratories during the mid-semester break. You will expect to spend 6-8 hours per week in locating, reading and thinking about the content, preparing progress reports and working on assignments. 

There will be a total of 40 hours of contact time and 110 hours of self-directed learning.

Other Information

Working individually, students will demonstrate competence in practical and data handling skills through the execution of student-designed experiments. Working in small groups, students will analyse and interpret their data for presentation in  written, oral and visual formats. 
Students are strongly encouraged to BYOD: mobile phones will not be sufficient. 

Digital 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.

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.

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 at 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.

To apply for an extension, students need to contact the Course Coordinator and supply documentation (e.g. doctor’s certificate/collaborating note from a counsellor) before the due date. Please note that your application is a request only and it should not be assumed that an extension will be granted. Retrospective approval for an extension will be given only in exceptional circumstances.
Except where the Course Coordinator has authorised an extension of time for the submission of student work, work handed in after the deadline will incur a late penalty of 5% for each 12-hour period (or part thereof) that the assessment is overdue. This applies to all written work, including but not limited to lab reports, essays, seminar papers / presentations, assignments, posters, etc. Submission of written work is only complete when an electronic copy has been submitted through the appropriate platform (e.g. Turnitin or Canvas). Please retain your submission confirmation e-receipt / take a time stamped screenshot as evidence of timely submission.  

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.

2020 will be the first offering of this course

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 14/12/2019 06:29 a.m.