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
How compounds are identified, selected & developed into drug products. Drug discovery, drug design, lead development, assay cascade, drug candidate selection, patenting, intellectual property, product formulation, clinical trials, toxicological testing, spin-off & large pharmaceutical companies, role of regulatory bodies.
This course will introduce you to Drug Discovery and Development, a rapidly expanding and critical component of contemporary biotechnology. The focus of the course is on the processes in the pipeline behind identifying novel drugs and their targets, and the steps required to take drugs intendedﾠfor human use to the pharmaceutical market, including the preclinical and clinical development process.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The assumed background is a basic understanding ofﾠbiochemical and pharmacological concepts. A student who has covered only one of these areas at Level 2 should be able to cope, but in this case you should discuss your background knowledge with the course coordinators early in the semester.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOC2000 or BIOM2402 or CHEM2002 or CHEM2052 or CHEM2050 or CHEM2901 or CHEM2902
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 Lavinia Proctor
Guest lecturer
Dr Dianne Jackson-Matthews
Dr John Morrison
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course will provide an understanding of how drug targets and compounds and are identified, and developed into drug products for final human consumption. It will cover drug and target discovery, product formulation, preclinical and clinical evaluation of drugs and the role of regulatory bodies, licensing, and final registration of these compounds for human use.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and evaluate a range of approaches to the discovery of drugs and drug targets
LO2.
Research and critically evaluate studies in drug discovery and development
LO3.
List and analyse the processes involved in clinical and preclinical evaluation of drugs
LO4.
Evaluate issues associated with the pharmaceutical industry, including licensing agreements, registration of drugs and roles of regulatory agencies
LO5.
Develop and deliver, through a range of styles of oral presentation, arguments around topical issues in drug discovery and development
LO6.
Work and learn collaboratively, capitalising on the diverse abilities, backgrounds and perspectives within the group
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation, Role play/ Simulation |
Pharmaco Debate - Role Play
|
20% |
15/04/2026 - 22/04/2026 |
| Reflection |
Pharmaco Debate - Peer Assessment
|
5% |
23/04/2026 1:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection |
Worksheet - AI in Drug Development
|
10% |
7/05/2026 1:00 pm
Worksheet will largely be completed during the workshop and is due for submission the day after the workshop. |
| Presentation, Role play/ Simulation |
Licensing Negotiation
|
15% |
20/05/2026 |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
50% |
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
Pharmaco Debate - Role Play
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
15/04/2026 - 22/04/2026
Task description
Prepared debate on a topic relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and drug development. Presentations will be face to face on campus. Presentations will be recorded. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
Preparation of debate:
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Presentation of debate:
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.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
No late submissions permitted.
Pharmaco Debate - Peer Assessment
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
23/04/2026 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
Task description
A component (5% of the final course mark) of the Pharmaco debate assessment will be a peer group assessment. You will provide a score out of 5 for each of your debate group members that reflects their contribution to your group’s activities in preparation for the debate. 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
Submission is online in Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A maximum of 7 days has been set for this assessment as it is part of a series, and is associated with the Pharmaco Debate Role Play assessment.
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
No late submissions permitted.
Worksheet - AI in Drug Development
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
7/05/2026 1:00 pm
Worksheet will largely be completed during the workshop and is due for submission the day after the workshop.
Task description
AI is applicable and increasingly used in all aspects of drug design and development. During the workshop we will look at some examples of this. You will chose one particular approach and research it in more depth by answering a set of questions set out in the form of a worksheet. The worksheet will be submitted to TII. This assignment is worth 10% of the total course mark. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
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 or 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.
Licensing Negotiation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
20/05/2026
Task description
A mock negotiation of license for a product, which will involve the negotiation of a deal between two parties. The licence negotiation will be face to face on campus. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
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.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
No late submissions permitted.
End of Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
Task description
The exam will be a closed 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.
A mixture of essay, and multi-part essay questions. Details of the examination format will be provided in class and on the course Blackboard site during the semester.
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
To pass this course you must meet ALL the following hurdle requirements: You must obtain a PASS mark on the 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 hurdles, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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 items 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 items 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 items of 45% - 49% OR A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 50% or greater, but less than a pass in any of the assessment hurdles 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 items of 50% - 64%, AND successful completion of assessment hurdles 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 items of 65% - 74%, AND successful completion of assessment hurdles 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 items of 75% - 84%, AND successful completion of assessment hurdles 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 items of 85% - 100%, AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information". |
Additional course grading information
To pass this course you must meet ALL the following hurdle requirements:
• You must obtain a PASS mark on the 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 hurdles, 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture Series Each week there will be an equivalent of two hours of lectures during which important and current concepts in Drug Design and Development will be discussed. These lectures will be delivered in person, and also recorded for later viewing, or may be pre-recorded. Topics covered include: Drug development pipeline Different classes of drugs Target discovery and validation Drugs from Nature Compound libraries and high throughput screening (HTS) Rational drug design Drug repurposing Vaccine development New modalities in drug design Preclinical testing Drug delivery and formulation Regulations - Good laboratory and Good manufacturing practices Drug registration Clinical trials Paths to commercialisation |
Workshop |
Workshop Series The workshop sessions (up to 3 hours per week) will consist of a variety of activities including: Some additional lectures Preclinical workshop (preparation of a preclinical development plan for a hypothetical drug candidate) Clinical workshop (discussion-based session on clinical trial concepts) Different Drugs for Different Diseases (discussion around what drug features are suitable for different conditions) AI in Drug Development (Worksheet to be completed as Assessment Task) Free time to prepare for the Pharmacodebate and Licensing negotiation assessment tasks. Assessment tasks Pharmacodebate and Licensing negotiations. |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 5 |
Team Based Learning |
Pharmacodebates Prepared group debates on topical issues related to the pharmaceutical industry. |
Week 10 (04 May - 10 May) |
Excursion |
Excursion to Viatris Excursion to the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Viatris |
Week 11 (11 May - 17 May) |
Team Based Learning |
AI in Drug Development workshop Team based workshop on AI in drug development. Worksheet to be completed as assessment. |
Week 12 (18 May - 24 May) |
Team Based Learning |
Licensing Negotiation Licensing Negotiation in class assessment task. |
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: