Overview
In this unit, you will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy relevant to your health profession. You will explore the mechanism of action of major drug classes used in pharmacological interventions or procedures in patient management relevant to your profession. You will be required to demonstrate critical analysis of this content and align this with current practice in your respective professions.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites:Pre-requisite for all courses except CV69: BMSC11005 Foundations of BiochemistryPre-requisite for CV69: ECHO11004 Biochemistry for Cardiac Pharmacology
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student emails; SUTE
The oral feedback students received for the written assessment task was comprehensive and constructive.
Continue to provide oral feedback for the written assessment task.
Feedback from SUTE
The unit provides useful information about 'on-the-job' pharmaceuticals and common prescription drugs in Australia.
Continue to provide course-specific material as well as content on common prescription medications.
Feedback from SUTE
The 'real-world' drug examples provided in the tutorials made the unit more interesting.
Continue to integrate clinical ('real-world') examples into the unit material.
- Discuss the basic principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug design
- Discuss the indications, pharmacological action, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of the major medication groups used in your health profession
- Discuss pharmacological applications associated with common procedures undertaken with your health profession
- Critically analyse the scientific literature relating to drugs and medicines within your health profession.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
| 3 - Online Test - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
All core readings for this unit are provided for free on the unit's Moodle site. If you would like additional readings, you may wish to purchase 'Pharmacology for Health Professionals' (complete details below). This textbook contains relevant information, but it is not used directly in BMSC12014, so purchasing it is completely optional.
Pharmacology for Health Professionals
Authors: Knights, Rowland, Darroch, Bushell, Hatje and Reinke
6th Edition (2022)
ISBN: 9780729544627
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.irwin@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Module 1 | Introduction to Pharmacology
Chapter
Module 1 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Unit Overview
Module/Topic
Module 2 | Introduction to Pharmacodynamics
Chapter
Module 2 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 1
Module/Topic
Module 3 | Introduction to Pharmacokinetics
Chapter
Module 3 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 2
Module/Topic
Module 4 | Introduction to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Drug Development
Chapter
Module 4 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 3
Module/Topic
Module 5 | Common Prescription Drugs I
Drugs for Cardiovascular Diseases
Chapter
Module 5 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 4
Introductory Pharmacology Quiz Opens: Week 5 Tuesday (2 Apr 2024) 12:01 am AEST
Introductory Pharmacology Quiz Due: Week 5 Friday (5 Apr 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Vacation Week | Catch-up, Assessment Preparation, Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 6 | Common Prescription Drugs II
Drugs for Diabetes Mellitus
Chapter
Module 6 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 5
Module/Topic
Module 7 | Pharmacology in Practice I
CG95/CM40: Emergency Cardiovascular Medicine I
CV69: Drugs used in Echocardiography Procedures I
Chapter
Module 7 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 6
Module/Topic
Module 8 | Pharmacology in Practice II
CG95/CM40: Emergency Cardiovascular Medicine II
CV69: Drugs used in Echocardiography Procedures II
Chapter
Module 8 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 7
Module/Topic
Module 9 | Pharmacology in Practice III
CG95/CM40: Drugs for treating emergency respiratory, allergy, gastrointestinal and endocrine conditions
CV69: Drugs which affect echocardiographic findings
Chapter
Module 9 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 8
Written Assignment Due: Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Module 10 | Pharmacology in Practice IV
CG95/CM40: CNS drugs and antidotes delivered by paramedics
CV69: Drugs which cause cardiotoxicity
Chapter
Module 10 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 9
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 10
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Revision
Online Test Opens: Week 12 Tuesday (28 May 2024) 12:01 am AEST
Online Test Due: Week 12 Friday (31 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Contact details for Teaching Staff
The unit coordinator for BMSC12014 is Jordon Irwin. Jordon can be reached via email (j.irwin@cqu.edu.au), phone (07 4923 2550) and the Q&A forum on Moodle.
Unit Modules
BMSC12014 comprises three main blocks of content: 'introductory pharmacology' (Modules 1 to 4), 'common prescription drugs' (Modules 5 and 6), and 'pharmacology in practice' (Modules 7 to 10). Students from all courses complete the same 'introductory pharmacology' and 'common prescription drug' modules. The 'pharmacology in practice' modules are course-specific to ensure that you learn about drugs directly relevant to your healthcare profession.
Lectures and Tutorials
The lectures for this unit are pre-recorded and available on the unit’s Moodle site. Live tutorials are delivered weekly on Zoom, but they are also recorded and made available for later viewing on the Moodle site.
Readings in this Unit
All readings come from the 'Pharmacology Handbook', available on the Moodle site. If you would like to do additional reading, you are welcome to purchase the following textbook: 'Pharmacology for Health Professionals' by Knights, Rowland, Darroch, Bushell, Hatje and Reinke. Please note that this textbook is not directly used in the unit, so purchasing it is completely optional. All the resources needed to succeed in BMSC12014 are available for free on the Moodle site.
Unit Study Commitment
As per Australian education standards, this unit has a Study Commitment of 150 hours total engagement for the term. A suggestion for how you should allocate your weekly study commitment for BMSC12014 is as follows:
3-4 hours watching lectures and tutorials.
1-2 hours completing the Pharmacology Handbook readings.
2-3 hours completing the weekly revision activities.
2-3 hours preparing for the Introductory Pharmacology Quiz, Written Assessment or Online Test.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
A solid understanding of molecular drug targets, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic drug monitoring, and drug development is essential for understanding the use of drugs in healthcare. After covering these concepts in Modules 1 to 4, you will complete an Online Quiz.
You are allowed only one (1) attempt for this assessment task, and your score from the Online Quiz will contribute 20% to your final grade. No collusion, AI chatbot or teamwork is permitted when completing the Introductory Pharmacology Quiz.
The Introductory Pharmacology Quiz will open at 12:01 am on Tuesday 2nd April 2024 (Week 5) and will close at 11:59 pm on Friday 5th April 2024 (Week 5). This quiz will assess the topics covered during Weeks 1 to 4, i.e., the 'introductory pharmacology' modules. All times shown are AEST.
1
Other
Week 5 Friday (5 Apr 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
The Introductory Pharmacology Quiz will end once you click submit or when the time limit has been exhausted.
Week 6 Friday (19 Apr 2024)
The Introductory Pharmacology Quiz will be graded manually, and the results will be returned via Moodle within two (2) weeks of submission.
Marks will be awarded for correct responses.
- Discuss the basic principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug design
2 Written Assessment
In this assessment task, you will use clinical guidelines and scientific literature to complete a series of tasks. For some activities, the sources you need to use will be provided, while for others, you will need to conduct your own research.
To answer the questions, you must critically analyse clinical guidelines/scientific literature and discuss the indications, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, precautions and/or applications of drugs which are used in your health profession. The questions and resources necessary for completing this assignment are available on the BMSC12014 Moodle site.
Your score from the Case Study Drug Review will contribute 30% to your final grade. No collusion, AI chatbot or teamwork is permitted when preparing your submission.
Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
In the absence of an approved extension, a 5% late penalty will be applied per day that the task remains unsubmitted.
Week 11 Friday (24 May 2024)
Results and feedback will be returned via Moodle within two (2) weeks of submission.
A brief overview of the assessment criteria is as follows:
- Knowledge and understanding – the submission should contain accurate and comprehensive information about the mechanism of action, routes of administration, indications, side effects, drug interactions, precautions, contraindications and/or applications of drugs relevant to your health profession.
- Critical thinking – critical analysis of decision-making processes and scientific literature must be demonstrated.
- Research – an ability to differentiate between scholarly and non-scholarly sources of information must be demonstrated. Only peer-reviewed Journal articles are to be used as references.
- Communication – all responses should be coherent, concise and demonstrate correct spelling and grammar.
- Discuss the indications, pharmacological action, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of the major medication groups used in your health profession
- Discuss pharmacological applications associated with common procedures undertaken with your health profession
- Critically analyse the scientific literature relating to drugs and medicines within your health profession.
3 Online Test
At the end of the term, you will complete an Online Test that assesses your knowledge of the drugs presented in Modules 5 to 10.
You are allowed only one (1) attempt for this assessment task, and your score from the Online Test will account for 50% of your final grade. No collusion, AI chatbot or teamwork is permitted during the completion of the Online Test.
The Online Test will be accessible from 12:01 am on Tuesday 28th May 2024 (Week 12) and will remain open until 11:59 pm on Friday 31st May 2024 (Week 12). This test will evaluate the topics covered during Weeks 5 to 10, i.e., the 'common prescription drugs' and 'pharmacology in practice' modules. All times shown are AEST.
Week 12 Friday (31 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
The Online Test will end once you click submit or when the time limit has been exhausted.
Exam Week Friday (14 June 2024)
The Online Test will be manually graded, and the results will be returned via Moodle within two (2) weeks of submission.
Marks will be awarded for correct responses.
- Discuss the basic principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug design
- Discuss the indications, pharmacological action, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of the major medication groups used in your health profession
- Discuss pharmacological applications associated with common procedures undertaken with your health profession
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
