James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

PP2150 - Introduction to Medical Pharmacology

Subject Description

The general principles of drug action, focussing on the major targets for drug action, drug-receptor interactions, chemotherapy, drug design, pharmacognosy and drug screening, toxicology and measurements in pharmacology.

Learning Outcomes

• describe the approaches to the development of new pharmaceutical agents, including drug design, drug screening and natural product pharmacology
• understand how drug treatments may be aimed at specific targets, increasing the efficacy of treatment and reducing side effects
• describe how drugs are able to affect the functioning of living systems
• describe the principles of selective toxicity and the development of antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and cancer chemotherapy agents
• explore the rationale behind drug formulations and different routes of administration, the time course of drug action, drug metabolism and toxicology

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (60%) - Individual
• Written > Literature review - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Proposal - (10%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Achieve an overall percentage of 50% or more; Achieve a minimum of 50% for the final theory exam

Availabilities