Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dr Hilary Lloyd
9351 2836
hilary.lloyd@sydney.edu.au
Mon 2:00 5:30 pm (weeks 1 - 13) or by appointment
2.
3.
Discuss the rationale, mechanism of action, effectiveness and safety of several classes of
medicinal used in the community including anticholinesterases, opioid analgesics, drugs used to
treat respiratory conditions and gut disorders
Describe the cellular mechanisms underlying drug addiction and explain the effects of
psychoactive drugs on behaviour
Understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how drugs enhance sporting
performance, and current understanding of the effectiveness and mechanism of action of
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
complementary drugs
Outline the processes involved in drug discovery and development, and critically evaluate
clinical trial design and methodology
Explain the methodology and critique the experimental design of class experiments, and analyse
and present laboratory results using technology-based resources
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of ICT and essential software, such as word processing and
spreadsheets
Demonstrate greater confidence and effectiveness in communication, informally and formally
with peers, and within small and larger group settings, and both written and oral
Provide examples of development of personal skills such as confidence, social responsibility
and integrity
Work more effectively and confidently in a group using the skills and attitudes acquired (e.g.
active listening, clear communication, valuing contribution from others)
Total
Hours
26
2
8
8
When
(Semester weeks)
Weeks 1 13
Week 2
Weeks 3 & 9
Weeks 6 & 13
When
(Day of week)
Tue & Thu
Tue/Wed/Thu
Tue/Wed/Thu
Tue/Wed/Thu
Time
of Day
10 11 am
1 3 pm
1 5 pm
1 5 pm
10
Week 2
Weeks 4 & 8
Week 11
Tue/Wed/Thu
Tue/Wed/Thu
Tue/Wed/Thu
3 5 pm
1 4 pm
1 3 pm
54
Learning Commitments
The University allocates a number of credit points (CPs), usually 6, to each UoS in a degree program.
One CP is equal to 1.5 to 2 hours per week of student time spent engaged in activities related to that
UoS (i.e. a total of 117-156 hours for the semester). In PHARMACOLGY: DRUGS AND PEOPLE
(6CP), this time is split between face-to-face time (62 hours), and self-directed learning study outside
class (individual and group work: 65 hours). Students should regard the time allocated to self-directed
study time as a reasonable indication of the amount of time that is required in order to perform at a
satisfactory level; to perform at a higher standard additional time is advised. A summary of the total
face-to-face and self-directed time commitment is:
Face-to face
Self-directed
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26
28
nil
26
15
04
16
4
127 hours
Learner Preparation
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Assumed knowledge or
skills
Computer access
requirements
Preliminary reading
required
Individual/
Group
Assessment
Condition
Length
Mark
Weight*
Submission
Week
Due
(Day as
advised)
Quiz 1
Individual
10 min
10
N/A
N/A
Week 4
*Research Topic 1
Individual
2.5%
Turnitin
Week 4
Individual
Max 500
words
5 min
100
Oral Presentation
Grade
5%
Lab Report 1
(Introduction, Methods,
Results)
Lab Report 1
(Discussion)
Peer Evaluation 1
Group
Compulsory
(Formative)
Compulsory
(Formative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Max 750
words
100
5%
Email
tutor
Turnitin
Week 4, 8
OR 11
Week 5
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Formative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Max 750
words
N/A
100
5%
Turnitin
Week 5
N/A
N/A
In-class
Week 6
10 min
10
2%
N/A
Week 8
Max 500
words
10 min
100
2.5%
Turnitin
Week 8
10
2%
N/A
Week 11
Max 500
words
Max 750
words
100
2.5%
Turnitin
Week 11
100
5%
Turnitin
Week 11
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Compulsory
(Summative)
Max 750
words
N/A
100
5%
Turnitin
Week 11
N/A
4%
In-class
Week 13
10 min
10
2%
N/A
StuVac
2h
100
60%
Final
Exam
Period
Final
Exam
Period
Individual
Individual
Quiz 2
Individual
Research Topic 2
Individual
Quiz 3
Individual
Research Topic 3
Individual
Lab Report 2
(Introduction, Methods,
Results)
Lab Report 2
(Discussion)
Peer Evaluation 2
Group
Individual
Individual
Quiz 4
Individual
Final Exam*
Individual
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Assessment Tasks
Quizzes 1 - 4
Description of task
Grading criteria
Research Topics
Description of task
Grading criteria
All students will be required to research and write 3 x one page research article (max
word length 500) on a topic identified in each of the three workshops, and of their
choosing.
A marking matrix will be used to grade research topics using the standard grading
system (HD, DI, CR, PS, FA). Each research topic is worth 2.5%, and the best 2 of 3
will count towards the final mark (semester + exam).
Oral Presentations
Description of task
Grading criteria
Lab Reports
Description of task
Grading criteria
A written report (max 2,000 words) is required for each of the two wet labs. For each of
these the Introduction, Methods and Results will be a group effort (group size will be 4
6 students) whereas all students will write an individual Discussion based on the
groups lab results. Separate reference lists will need to be compiled for the group and
individual sections of the report.
A marking matrix is used to grade case reports using the standard grading system (HD,
DI, CR, PS, FA). Each report is worth 10% of the final mark (semester + exam), with
both the group and individual contributions being worth 5% each.
Peer Evaluation
Description of task
Grading criteria
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All students are required to submit a peer evaluation after submission of their lab
report.
Three criteria are used: contribution, quality of work, teamwork. Each criterion is rated
and marked as Excellent (3 marks); Good (2 marks); Satisfactory (1 mark);
Unsatisfactory (0 marks). The first evaluation is formative; the second summative and
is worth 4% of the total marks possible.
PCOL2012
Final Exam
Description of task
Grading criteria
One 2 h written examination will be held at the end of semester, which will cover
material presented in lectures, workshops and labs (wet and dry). The exam will
consist of around 45 single correct/incorrect option questions (MCQs) and eight short
answer questions (SAQs) two for each module. Four of the eight SAQs must be
answered, with ONE question from each answer being answered.
The degree of difficulty of approximately half the correct/incorrect option questions are
rated as PS/CR level; the remaining half DI/HD. A marking matrix with equivalent
standards that are applied to research topics and lab reports will be used to grade
SAQs (HD, DI, CR, PS, FA).
Feedback Schedule
Task / Component
Quizzes
Research Topics
Oral Presentations
Lab Reports
Peer Assessment
Final Examination
Type of Feedback
A distribution of marks for the first
THREE quizzes will be posted on
LMS: students may seek
individual feedback from the UoS
co-ordinator/curriculum support
officer about their performance in
the quiz
Students will receive written
feedback on their research topics
and tutors will give COLLECTIVE
feedback on assignments in
workshops: students may seek
individual feedback from the
marker/their tutor
Marks will be posted on LMS:
students may seek individual
feedback from their tutors
Students will receive written
feedback on their lab reports:
students may seek individual
feedback from the marker
Marks will be posted on LMS
Students may seek individual
feedback from the UoS coordinator following release of
results and/or review their papers
on the scheduled exam review
day.
Timeframe
Weeks 4, 8 and 11
Weeks 6, 10 and 13
Weeks 4, 8 OR 11
StuVac
Nov/Dec after release of exam
results
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The following indicates how this policy relates specifically to practices in Pharmacology: Drugs and
People (PCOL2012)
Collaboration between students is encouraged as a valued educational practice, and is a requirement
for group assignments. Note that:
Students are asked to work within groups for the purpose of collecting, collating, analysing,
interpreting and synthesizing information relating to specified group activities
When a group lab report is specified, all students within the group are expected to provide
input into the final product, although the group may decide how best to achieve this end
Reference materials and sources must be appropriately acknowledged. This includes both
materials sourced electronically or in other formats such as print.
It is acceptable to quote short pieces of text directly, placing the quoted text within quotation
marks and providing appropriate referencing. It is not acceptable to include significant sections
of text, with or without referencing
Examinations
No communication, of any sort, is permitted between a student sitting an examination and any
person other than an examination supervisor for the duration of the examination
The University of Sydney has a clear policy and procedures for dealing with academic dishonesty. A
clear explanation of what constitutes academic dishonesty and the policy and procedures can be
found at in the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Dishonesty and
Plagiarism in Coursework Procedures 2015. These policies are available at:
(http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/254&RendNum=0)
Please note that the Policy requires all written assignments to be submitted using the text-matching
software Turnitin. All assignments needing to be submitted via Turnitin are outlined in the
Assessment Information Table available in this Unit of Study Outline.
If students are uncertain about what is acceptable, they are asked to seek advice
from their tutor or the UoS Coordinator before presenting or submitting their work
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Special Consideration
While studying at the University of Sydney, a student may need to apply for Special Consideration or
special arrangements as follows:
Special Consideration may be granted where well-documented illness, injury or misadventure occurs
to the student (or to someone the student has primary carers responsibility for) during semester or the
exam period.
Further information on eligibility, document requirements and how to apply is available at
http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/special_consideration/index.shtml
Applications for special consideration must be made using the Universitys formal online application
process no later than three (3) working days after the assessment occurrence or due date (unless a
reasonable explanation for a delay is provided).
Longer term health or emotional issues are best managed with adjustments to course assessments as
part of an Academic Plan developed in discussion between the student and Disabilities Services
http://sydney.edu.au/study/academic-support/disability-support.html
Special Arrangements may be granted for certain personal circumstances - for example the birth of a
child, or religious or cultural commitments - or for essential community commitments - for example
compulsory legal absence (e.g. Jury duty), elite sporting or cultural commitments (representing the
University, state or country), or Australian Defence Force or Emergency Service commitments (e.g.
Army Reserve).
2
3
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11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Recreational Drugs 1
Legally available drugs of abuse are described, such as: alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Their
primary mechanisms of action are overviewed, and different pharmacological effects are explained,
based on the distribution of protein targets in the brain and body. Different unique societal and
health impacts are covered.
Recreational Drugs 2
Illegal drugs of abuse are described such as MDMA, cocaine and LSD. The primary mechanisms of
action and different pharmacological effects of these drugs are explained based on the distribution
of protein targets in the brain and body. Different unique societal and health impacts are covered.
Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
The psychoactive effects of cannabis are overviewed. The main pharmacological constituents of the
plant are described as well as the nature of the endogenous cannabinoid system. Potential
therapeutic and toxic actions of the drug are discussed.
Pain Pathways
This lecture describes how pain is transmitted in the nervous system from peripheral nociceptive
nerves to the spinal cord and the CNS. The descending analgesic system is also explained as well
as the neurochemistry of both the ascending and descending pathways.
Opioid Analgesics
The gold standard analgesic agents used in the clinic such as morphine, codeine and pethidine are
examined. The nature of endogenous opioid peptides is overviewed as well as opioid receptor
proteins. New advances in opioid therapies are introduced.
Drugs in Sport
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) annual list of Prohibited Substances. The pharmacology behind
the different classes of performance enhancing drugs and masking substances. How effective are
they? Side effects? Methods of detection. Issues blood sampling, out of competition testing,
surveillance, long term storage of samples, DNA profiling, markers in recombinant proteins, e.g.
EPO.
Review 1: Have Your Say!
Interactive session reviewing the course material covered in the first two modules
Module 3: Drug Treatment of Allergies and GI Disorders
Drugs and the Gastrointestinal Tract 1
This lecture outlines the mechanisms that regulate acid secretion from parietal cells and describes
the major classes of drugs that modify acid secretion, which are used to treat peptic ulcer and
gastro-oesophageal disease.
Drugs and the Gastrointestinal Tract 2
Covers the basic mechanisms underlying how contents in the gut are transported (peristalsis).
Disorders of the GIT may involve abnormal motility, absorption or secretion resulting in pain,
constipation and/or diarrhoea. Treatments available for these conditions will be described.
Theory and Experimental Design of Laboratory 2
How our understanding of peristalsis is unmasked using a pharmacological approach is reviewed in
this lecture along with the experimental design and data analysis of the second practical class.
Inflammatory Mediators 2: Histamine and Eicosanoids
Covers: (1) the synthesis, storage and metabolism of histamine with a specific focus on the mast
cell and the allergic response and (2) the synthesis, physiological roles and effects of eicosanoids
(3) the key role of cyclo-oxygenase in inflammation
Treatment of Hayfever and Anaphylaxis
This lecture will cover the pharmacological evolution of hayfever treatment. The lecture finishes with
the medication used to treat a severe allergic/anaphylactic reaction that may occur, for example,
with the consumption of peanuts.
Old Drug, New Mechanism of Action
This lecture tells the story of nedocromil and our recent understanding of how it works to stabilise
mast cells.
Module 4: Introduction to Drug Discovery and Development
Drug Discovery: Target Identification and Design
Focuses on the initial stages of the drug development process. Concepts covered include: target
selection, finding a lead (natural products, compound libraries, existing drugs, endogenous
mediators, combinatorial chemistry, computer aided means and serendipity) and the optimisation of
activity.
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23
24
25
26
Preclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology
Describes the process from target identification through to clinical investigation of new drugs.
Metabolism and toxicology in animals and in vitro models is explored.
Clinical Trials
Describes the 4 phases of clinical trial investigations of new drugs.
Clinical Trial Design Design and Statistics
The title says it all!
Herbal Medicines: Safety and Efficacy
Herbal medicines in Australia TGA Office of Complementary Medicines. Australian Register of
Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) Listed and Registered Products. Why do consumers use herbal
medicines? How effective are they? Quality control of herbal medicines. Drug-herbal interactions.
Food or medicine?
Review 2: Wrap-Up and Your Final Exam Questions
Putting it all in perspective a review of PCOL2011. An outline of the exam format and a discussion
of exam preparation will be included in the lecture.
N/A
ESSENTIAL TEXTBOOK
Rang HP, Ritter JM, Flower RJ, Henderson G (2016) Rang & Dales Pharmacology, 8th
edition, ELSEVIER Churchill Livingstone.
This text is recommended for both intermediate/2nd year and senior/3rd year
Pharmacology and is quite detailed.
STUDY AID
Medical Pharmacology at a Glance, 7th edn (Blackwell Scientific Publications, 2012).
This textbook provides a succinct coverage of Pharmacology. Each topic is
summarised in diagrammatic form together with a concise written account of the topic.
REFERENCE TEXTBOOK
Goodman LS, Gilman A, Brunton LL, Lazo JS, Parker K L (2012). Goodman &
Gilman's
the
Pharmacological
Basis
of
Therapeutics
12th
edition.
This is a comprehensive textbook on Pharmacology. It includes far more information
than standard textbooks and goes way beyond what you are expected to know.
However, we encourage you to consult this textbook as a valuable reference.
References
Examples of useful journals:
Web sites
Australian Prescriber
British Journal of Pharmacology
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
British Medical Journal
Medical Journal of Australia
Nature Reviews (e.g. Cardiology, Drug Discovery)
Pharmacological Reviews
The Lancet
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Relevant university
policies
MEDLINE
PubMed
Google Scholar
Medicines Complete
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