Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Biomedical Sciences School
Systems Pharmacology introduces students to the action of drugs on whole systems and provides an integrated approach to how drugs affect human physiology. Students will learn the effect of drugs on major physiological systems and how these effects can be beneficial or detrimental. Experimental experience is expanded to develop practical skills in core pharmacology methodology, drug measurements and drug effects.
BIOM3401 is designed to teach principles of the use of drugs as medicines to treat human diseases. The course examines a range of common human diseases, and describes how and why drugs are used, how they work and what adverse effects they can ellicit.
Course requirements
Assumed background
An understanding of basic biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and pharmacology, such as obtained by successful completion of first year chemistry; and first and second year biomedical science courses.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOM2402
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOM2011
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
BIOM3008
Course contact
Course coordinator
School enquiries
Student and Academic Administration Team
The SBMS Student and Academic Administration Team is located on Level 1 of the Sir William Macgregor Building (64-130).
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Jenny Fung
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course focuses on the major classes of drugs used in humans. It aims to provide an understanding of:
1) the mechanisms through which drugs exert therapeutic effects in major human diseases
2) the concept of selective toxicity and adverse effects of drugs
3) the roles of pharmacological agonists and antagonists in human diseases states
4) the importance of experimental evidence inﾠattaining knowledge and understanding of drugs used in therapy
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Construct arguments based on evidence on the roles of pharmacological agents in disease
LO2.
Provide a strong basis for understanding of how drugs interact with the body and which possible limitations to drug therapy may exist
LO3.
Demonstrate an understanding of why drugs sometimes fail to work under specific circumstances, as observed in resistance, and mechanisms of common side-effects
LO4.
Define pharmacokinetic parameters, and how they are used in pharmacology and therapeutics
LO5.
Apply laboratory skills in experimental pharmacology to acquire data, especially relating to the evaluation of potential new clinical entities
LO6.
Write a report using scientific language and grammar, and to present and critically analyse experimental data as relevant to published scientific and clinical literature
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Examination
|
25% |
In-semester Saturday 27/03/2026 - 3/05/2026 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol | 20% |
30/03/2026 - 2/04/2026
G1: 30/03/26; G2: 31/03/26; G3: 1/04/26; G4: 2/04/26 13:00 |
| Project | Organ Bath: Flowchart | 2% |
20/04/2026 - 23/04/2026
Start of practical - G1: 20/04/26; G2: 21/04/26; G3: 22/04/26; G4: 23/04/26 13:00 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Organ Bath: Report
|
18% |
11/05/2026 - 14/05/2026
G1: 11/05/26; G2: 12/05/26; G3: 13/05/26; G4: 14/05/26 13:00 |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
35% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
In-Semester Examination
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
27/03/2026 - 3/05/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The exam will be an open book invigilated exam held on campus, undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform. Students will be required to bring a laptop to the exam that meets the device requirements for Inspera. It is important that you check before the exam that your laptop meets the device requirements for using the Inspera Assessment platform. If you do not own a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. The Library website Get familiar with Inspera provides the latest information for students about using Inspera. Further information about the exam will be provided on Blackboard.
This In-semester exam will cover Modules 1, 2 and 3 of the course.
This exam will be of open-book and open-note format. This means that you may take any paper-based materials you like into the examination room. This includes course notes, assessment items, books and so on.
Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must obtain a combined PASS mark from the In-Semester exam and End-of-Semester examExam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Open book examination - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
No late submission permitted
Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/03/2026 - 2/04/2026
G1: 30/03/26; G2: 31/03/26; G3: 1/04/26; G4: 2/04/26 13:00
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Lab Report consisting of data analysis of control and treated subjects. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the Schools website, to Turnitin by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A request for an extension must be submitted through my.UQ as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time.
Requests for extension received more than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.
If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified penalty listed under Late Submission will be applied to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date.
Organ Bath: Flowchart
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 2%
- Due date
20/04/2026 - 23/04/2026
Start of practical - G1: 20/04/26; G2: 21/04/26; G3: 22/04/26; G4: 23/04/26 13:00
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05, L06
Task description
This assessment item is the production of a flowchart for your practical and will constitute a breakdown of the experimental design. This should be based on the mechanisms of action of the drugs on the respective tissues and your approach in identifying your unknown(s). Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website (under Undergraduate - Assessment), to Turnitin by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A request for an extension must be submitted through my.UQ as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time.
Requests for extension received more than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.
If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified penalty listed under Late Submission will be applied to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date.
Organ Bath: Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
11/05/2026 - 14/05/2026
G1: 11/05/26; G2: 12/05/26; G3: 13/05/26; G4: 14/05/26 13:00
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05, L06
Task description
This report will include strategy and data analysis from the two weeks of work, with deductive reasoning around the identity of unknown(s) in your assigned sample. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website (under Undergraduate - Assessment), to Turnitin by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A request for an extension must be submitted through my.UQ as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time.
Requests for extension received more than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.
If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified penalty listed under Late Submission will be applied to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date.
End of Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The exam will be an open book invigilated exam held on campus, undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform. Students will be required to bring a laptop to the exam that meets the device requirements for Inspera. It is important that you check before the exam that your laptop meets the device requirements for using the Inspera Assessment platform. If you do not own a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. The Library website Get familiar with Inspera provides the latest information for students about using Inspera. Further information about the exam will be provided on Blackboard.
Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
This is an open book examination. You will be notified regarding the materials that you are permitted to consult during the examination well ahead of your exam.
This examination must be completed individually. You are NOT permitted to share this exam with any un-authorised person. You must NOT make a copy of any of the material in the exam by any means.
This exam will be assessing all BIOM3401 lecture and practical material. Details of the examination format will be provided on the course Blackboard site during the semester, and covered in an online lecture.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must obtain a combined PASS mark from the In-Semester exam and End-of-Semester examExam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Open book examination - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
No late submission permitted
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 0% - 29%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 30% - 44%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 45% - 49% OR A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 50% or greater,ﾠbut less than a pass in any of the assessment hurdle outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 50% - 64%ﾠAND successful completion of assessment hurdle as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 65% - 74%ﾠAND successful completion of assessment hurdle as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 75% - 84%ﾠAND successful completion of assessment hurdle as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment tasks of 85% - 100%ﾠAND successful completion of assessment hurdle as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
Additional course grading information
To pass this course you must meet the following hurdle requirement:
- You must obtain a COMBINED PASS mark from the In-Semester exam and End-of-Semester exam
If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-offs set to achieve a 4 or higher for the course and does NOT successfully complete the hurdle, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
The supplementary assessment may be in the form of an exam (written or oral), a written submission or another assessment as determined by the Course Coordinator. It may be made up of multiple components and will allow students to meet any outstanding Learning Outcomes. The final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary assessment only and a passing grade will be awarded only if a student passes the supplementary assessment. Assessment items such as Inspera exams or In-Person invigilated quizzes (even if conducted via an online platform) cannot be completed off-Campus and students are expected to return to Campus to complete these types of assessment items.
Additional assessment information
Refer to the SBMS Assessment Guidelines for School specific assessment information.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Required - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Clean white laboratory coat, safety glasses and fully enclosed shoes. Students will not be permitted in the laboratory without these items. Each student must have their UQ Student Identification Card visibly displayed above the waist. While public health directions no longer require face masks to be worn, they are recommended when you cannot physically distance, you are a vulnerable person or caring for vulnerable people. Please note that cloth masks are not acceptable in laboratory classes in the School of Biomedical Sciences. | own item needed |
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Lecture |
Week 6: Module 4: Pharmacology of Gastrointestinal Tract [Woodruff] Wk 6-Tue: L1: Inflammation: Gastric reflux and ulcers (Woodruff) Wk 6-Tue: L2: Inflammation: Emesis, constipation and diarrhoea (Woodruff) |
Lecture |
Weeks 1-3: Module 1. Disposition of Drugs in Humans [Kaminskas] Wk 1-Tue: L1: ADME summary and formulation Wk 1-Tue: L2: Compartment models and area under the curve calculations Wk 2-Tue: L3: Protein binding, bioavailability and first pass metabolism Wk 2-Tue: L4: Volume of distribution and clearance Wk 3-Tue: L5: Patient dosing calculations and practice questions Wk 3-Tue: L6: When PK gets "weird"? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Practical |
Weeks 2-3: Prac 1. Alcohol pharmacokinetics. Week 2 Prelab session (1-4 pm; Mon G1, Tue G2, Wed G3, Thur G4) Week 3 Prac session (12-4 pm; Mon G1, Tue G2, Wed G3, Thur G4) Learning outcomes: L04, L05, L06 |
|
Lecture |
Weeks 4-5: Module 2. Drug Treatment for Infectious Diseases [Rash] Wk 4-Tue: L1: Introduction to antibacterials and resistance Wk 4-Tue: L2: Antibiotic mechanisms and treatment Wk 4-Tue: L3: Antibacterials continued. Wk 5-Tue: L4: Antifungals & Antivirals Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Lecture |
Weeks 5-6: Module 3. Drug Treatment for Inflamm. Diseases [Woodruff] & [Rash] Wk 5-Tue: L1: Inflammation: Treatment of IBD and RA (NSAIDs and SAIDs) (Woodruff) Wk 5-Tue: L2: Inflammation: Treatment of IBD and RA (disease modifiers)(Woodruff) Wk 6-Tue: L3: Inflammation: Pharmacology of Asthma (Rash) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Lecture |
Weeks 7-8: Module 4. Drug Treatment for Cancer [Fung] Wk 7-Tue: L1: Conventional Chemotherapy Wk 7-Tue: L2: Antibodies and kinase inhibitors (nanomeds) Wk 7-Tue: L3: Drug Treatments for Cancer 3 Wk 8-Tue: L4: Drug Treatments for Cancer 4 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Practical |
Weeks 7-9: Prac 2: Organ bath unknown drug prac. Week 7 - Planning: This session is for planning your strategy around the Identification of Unknowns (IOU) experiments. (Mon G1, Tue G2, Wed G3, Thu G4) Week 8 - Rat tissue: Experiments for analysis of the effects of compounds on tissues. (Mon G1, Tue G2, Wed G3, Thu G4) Week 9 - Guinea pig tissue: Experiments for analysis of the effects of compounds on tissues. (Mon G1, Tue G2, Wed G3, Thu G4) Learning outcomes: L05, L06 |
|
Lecture |
Weeks 8-10: Module 5. Drug Treatment for CV disease [Woodruff] & [Manchadi] Wk 8-Tue: L1: Atherosclerosis and lipid-lowering drugs (Manchadi). Wk 9-Tue: L2: Direct-acting antihypertensives (Woodruff) Wk 9-Tue: L3: Indirect-acting antihypertensives (Woodruff) Wk 10-Tue: L4: Pharmacology of heart failure (Manchadi) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Lecture |
Weeks 10-12: Module 6. CNS Pharmacology (Neurodegeneration and Mental Health) [Manchadi] Wk 10-Tue: L1: Mechanisms of Cell Death: Parkinson's, Wk 10-Tue: L2: Huntington's, Alzheimer's diseases and MND Wk 11-Tue: L3: Depression Wk 11-Tue: L4: Anxiety Wk 12-Tue: L5: Schizophrenia and Psychoses Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Workshop |
Week 11-12: Workshop. Parkinson's Diesease Wk 11 (Mon G1, Wed G3) Wk 12 (Tue G2, Thu G4) |
|
Lecture |
Week 12: EOS Exam Prep and Closing Comments [Rash] [Manchadi] Wk 12-Tue: EOS Exam Preparation |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: