Pharmacology is the study of the properties and biological actions of drugs and chemicals and the keys role they play in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. In this unit of study you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts in pharmacology: a) principles of drug action, b) pharmacokinetics and precision medicine, c) drug design, and d) drug development and regulation. Additionally, you will learn the tools pharmacologists use in their investigations and develop skills in laboratory and problem-based enquiry. In both face-to-face and online learning environments you will learn the core concepts underpinning pharmacology and will have the opportunity to explore and apply these concepts through practicals, computer-aided learning and problem-based workshops. By undertaking this unit you will not only learn to view health and disease through the lens of a pharmacologist, you will further develop valuable skills in critical thinking and problem solving, communication, digital literacy, teamwork and interdisciplinary effectiveness. This unit will help you to develop a coherent and connected knowledge of the medical sciences and their broad applications, while also giving you the foundations for increasing your disciplinary expertise in pharmacology.

The prevention, control and treatment of many diseases and conditions remain major challenges within contemporary society. These challenges provide unique opportunities for pharmacologists to discover novel molecular targets for drug action. In this unit of study you will examine six major conditions that affect a range of body systems where improvements in treatment using pharmacotherapies are needed. In learning about unresolved issues, you will also evaluate the complexities of pharmacological treatment, including: ethical considerations, strength of evidence of drug efficacy, as well as safety and tolerability aspects of drug use. Using the tools of pharmacological enquiry you will further your practical and cognitive skills through laboratory- and problem-based enquiry. In both face-to-face and online learning environments you will explore a range of pharmacotherapeutic options currently available and will have the opportunity to research and apply your knowledge and understanding to unresolved health-related problems. By undertaking this unit you will develop your disciplinary expertise in pharmacology and further your skills in critical thinking, problem solving, communication, digital literacy, teamwork and interdisciplinary effectiveness.

This unit of study is designed to introduce students with a basic understanding of pharmacology to the discipline of toxicology. The study of toxicology is central to the assessment of drug safety in drug development and in the explanation of toxicology associated with registered drugs (adverse drug reactions) and drug-drug interactions. These issues as well as the pharmacogenetic basis of adverse reactions will be considered. Environmental toxicology, particularly toxic reactions to environmental agents such as asbestos and pesticides, and target organ toxicology (lung, liver, CNS) are also covered. The diverse world of plants and animal toxins will also be explored. As a final consequence of exposure to many toxicants, the biology and causes of cancer are discussed. As part of the unit students are introduced to basic ideas about the collection and analysis of data from human and animal populations, both in the structured situation of clinical trials, forensic problems and in analysis of epidemiological data.

This unit will consist of the lecture and practical components of PCOL3011. Students will be set special advanced assignments and additional practical data management activities related to the material covered in lectures and practical work. These may also involve advanced practical work or detailed investigation of a theoretical problem.

This unit of study is designed to introduce students with a basic understanding of pharmacology to the field of medicinal chemistry associated with drug design and development. The course covers the fundamental aspects of drug discovery and development with reference to the essentials of chemistry and illustrates drug development with examples that include neuraminidase inhibitors and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The role of computers in drug design is emphasised by classwork and assignments on molecular modelling and structure-activity relationships. The course also extends to a section on the design of diverse pharmacological agents which include compounds for imaging by positron emission tomography (PET), and kinase inhibitors.

This unit will consist of the lecture and practical components of PCOL3012. Students will be set special advanced assignments related to the material covered in core areas. These may also involve advanced practical work or detailed investigation of a theoretical problem.

This unit of study extends on pharmacological knowledge acquired in the 2000 level pharnacology units of study with a major emphasis on gaining an understanding of the scientific basis of current and novel approaches to pharmacological treatment for major health challenges of the 21st century. Lecture topics, tutorials and laboratory sessions cover drug treatment of arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes and protein misfolding disorders. New approaches to the development of next-generation targeted drugs are also introduced. As part of this course all students will extend the practical skills in understanding scientific literature, statistical analysis, critical problem solving and analytical thinking. Each student will conduct a capstone elective project (laboratory or literature-based) in applied pharmacology supervised by academic members of the department.nt.

This unit will consist of the same lecture series as PCOL3021. The tutorials and practical sessions will extend the work provided in PCOL321 to challenge deeper learning in the effect of drug therapy on pathophysiology of chronic diseases.

This unit of study builds on pharmacological knowledge acquired in the 2000 level pharmacology units of study with a major emphasis on gaining an understanding of neuropharmacology. The neuropharmacology of the major neurotransmitters and their role in neuropsychiatric diseases is explored together with the treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, movement disorders, stroke, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, pain and schizophrenia. Each student will conduct a capstone elective project (laboratory or literature-based) in applied pharmacology supervised by academic members of the department.

This unit of study builds on pharmacological knowledge acquired in the 2000 level pharmacology units of study with a major emphasis on gaining an understanding of neuropharmacology. The neuropharmacology of the major neurotransmitters and their role in neuropsychiatric diseases is explored together with the treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, movement disorders, stroke, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, pain and schizophrenia. Each student will conduct a capstone elective project (laboratory or literature-based) in applied pharmacology supervised by academic members of the department.