Course coordinator
Dr Shakti Shrestha
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences School
A foundational course in pharmacy practice and medicines management. It introduces medicines, the pharmaceutical sciences and professional practice. You will begin to develop a professional identity as a pharmacist and be able to describe the roles of pharmacists in society.
PHRM1101 is designed to develop basic professional practice knowledge, skills and attributes, and to introduce the pharmaceutical and clinical sciences. The course covers the professional and ethical responsibilities and data required for medications to be sold in Australia, how and who can give medications, and what does that mean for pharmacists and our patients. It also investigates the "Molecule to medicine" pathway, beginning with understanding the chemistry that relates to medications, learning how these principles affect the way the medication works (medicinal chemistry), and how medicines are delivered into the body .
This isﾠthe introductory courseﾠin the 'Pharmacy Practice and Medicines Management'ﾠstreamﾠof the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)ﾠleading into PHRM1102,ﾠPHRM2101, and beyond. It also serves as an introduction to the Pharmaceutical Sciences stream leading into PHRM2201.
Course requirements
Assumed background
No prior experience of pharmacy practice is required.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PHRM1011
Restrictions
Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Tutor
Dr Nazanin Ghahreman-Falconer
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Shakti Shrestha
Associate Professor Adam La Caze
Dr Ben Ross
Dr Janina Ladwig
Dr Jared Miles
Tutor
Dr Meng-Wong Taing
Ms Jennifer Chen
Mr Angus Harrop
Mr Will Olsen
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce first-year pharmacy students to essential elements of their profession, focusing on fundamental scientific and professional knowledge and skills.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and discuss the roles, responsibilities and contributions of pharmacists in society.
LO2.
Apply foundational concepts in chemistry that are important for understanding the action of drugs.
LO3.
Apply the foundational principles of drug therapy, drug delivery, dose form design, compounding and pharmaceutical calculations in a pharmacy practice context.
LO4.
Describe processes and regulations regarding medicines in the Australian health system.
LO5.
Collaborate effectively with colleagues to make informed team decisions and demonstrate communication skills.
LO6.
Develop patient-centred care strategies such as respect, building rapport, and attentiveness to patients' specific needs.
LO7.
Display effective oral communication skills.
LO8.
Develop critical thinking skills by evaluating information from reputable sources; interpreting evidence, and making and justifying inferences and judgments.
LO9.
Reflect on your development as a health professional to identify gaps in and challenges to your learning.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation, Quiz |
Ongoing Engagement Activities
|
25% |
Info Source Activity - 7/03/2025 5:00 pm Team Intro Post - 7/03/2025 5:00 pm Ethics Discussions - 10/03/2025 5:00 pm PCC Discussions - 31/03/2025 5:00 pm Chemistry Quiz 1 - 14/04/2025 5:00 pm Chemistry Quiz 2 - 28/04/2025 5:00 pm Chemistry Quiz 3 - 6/05/2025 5:00 pm Med Chem Team Presentation - 30/05/2025 Compounding Prac Report - 30/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Written Assignment | 15% |
3/04/2025 5:00 pm |
| Role play/ Simulation |
OSCE Oral Consultation Exam
|
15% |
4/04/2025 |
| Reflection |
OSCE Oral Consultation Reflection
|
10% |
17/04/2025 5:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Video Group Assignment
|
15% |
16/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Pharmaceutical Sciences Exam
|
20% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
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
Ongoing Engagement Activities
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation, Quiz
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Info Source Activity - 7/03/2025 5:00 pm
Team Intro Post - 7/03/2025 5:00 pm
Ethics Discussions - 10/03/2025 5:00 pm
PCC Discussions - 31/03/2025 5:00 pm
Chemistry Quiz 1 - 14/04/2025 5:00 pm
Chemistry Quiz 2 - 28/04/2025 5:00 pm
Chemistry Quiz 3 - 6/05/2025 5:00 pm
Med Chem Team Presentation - 30/05/2025
Compounding Prac Report - 30/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
These ongoing engagement activities occur periodically throughout semester and are associated with specific Modules of the course.
- Pharmacy Profession Module: Group Introduction (1%), Information Sources Activity (1%), Ethics discussions (2%)
- Medicines in Australia Module: No activities to allow time for assignment work
- Patient-centred Care Module: Patient-centred care discussions (1%)
- Chemistry Module: Weekly Chemistry Quiz (2%, 2%, 4%)
- Medicinal Chemistry Module: Medicinal Chemistry Team Presentation (8% - marked as a group assessment)
- Drug Delivery Module: Practical Report (4% - marked as a group assessment)
The due dates, details, and marking criteria of each engagement activity will be explicitly stated in advance on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) and UQ Extend.
The Medicinal Chemistry Team Presentation is marked on the final group product - the individual mark is then adjusted to reflect individuals’ contributions to the task using peer assessment.
The Drug Delivery Practical Report is marked on the final group product, and all members of the group will receive the same mark.
All other ongoing engagement activities are marked as individual contributions to the group.
Submission guidelines
The submission details of each engagement activity will be explicitly stated in advance on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) and UQ Extend.
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.
For the Medicinal Chemistry Team Presentation and Drug Delivery Practical Report, you can request an extension on behalf of your group, provided that at least 50% of your group members also agree to the request for an extension. Download and complete the form below, and attach this form to your extension request: extension-to-group-assessment.pdf
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.
Written Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
3/04/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L08
Task description
Over the first few weeks of this semester you’ll learn a lot of theory on the pharmacy profession, regulations, different types of information and resources, and how to access them. And this assignment is where you’ll apply it all. You will be allocated a specific drug on which to complete the assignment. The assignment is divided into multiple sections as a guide for the relevant modules, knowledge, resources, and skills you will be applying. Each broad section contains several sub-sections composed of multiple questions. Make sure you respond to all questions and all parts of the question.
General Points:
- This is an individual assignment, and responses will be checked for collusion, plagiarism, and un-referenced Artificial Intelligence (AI) use. AI provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use generative AI in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of generative AI tool in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
- You do not need to cite UQ Extend content, but where other sources of information are used they should be referenced after each response using APA 7th citation style.
- Unless stated, there is no specific word limit for each question or the assignment overall.
- The marking criteria/rubric for this assessment task is available on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Submission guidelines
This assignment will be submitted electronically in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for the course
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.
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.
OSCE Oral Consultation Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
4/04/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L06, L07
Task description
The Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) will assess the ability to communicate with a patient in a Pharmacy context, with a focus on providing patient-centred care.
- The OSCE is a 5 minute consultation with an examiner acting as a patient and will be held face-to-face at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
- All students must arrive before the start of the session to sign in with their student ID. Students will remain in a holding room until they are called to perform their exam. Students may leave as soon as they have completed their exam.
- The oral assessment is a CLOSED BOOK exam, so students are not permitted to bring ANY materials to either station. This includes, but is not limited to, pens, calculators, notes, textbooks, phones, computers, tablets, etc.
- The OSCE will be audio-recorded and retained as per university policy. The recording will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed if required for the purposes of moderation of marking; provision of feedback to the student; and/or re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
- This assessment task is to be completed in-person.
- The marking criteria/rubric for this assessment task is available on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- The grade for this assessment will also be used to identify students who might benefit from free Pharmacy-specific language workshops offered in the following semesters.
Hurdle requirements
The OSCE must be attempted in order to pass PHRM1101. Students are not required to pass the OSCE.Submission guidelines
The OSCE will be performed in person at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in an exam slot timetabled by the School.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
OSCE Oral Consultation Reflection
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
17/04/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L09
Task description
As a health professional, you should always be thinking about what you’re doing in practice not only beforehand and while doing it, but also afterwards. This is called reflection, and it is a key skill for health professionals to evaluate and improve their knowledge and skills for the future.
- Following the release of your marks for the OSCE oral consultation you will be required to submit a reflection on your performance and identify areas for future improvement.
- The reflection will follow the 4Rs framework.
- Further details and the marking criteria/rubric for this assessment task is available on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- 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.
Hurdle requirements
An attempt must be submitted for the OSCE Reflection in order to pass PHRM1101. Students do not need to pass the OSCE Reflection.Submission guidelines
The OSCE Reflection will be submitted on ePortfolio (accessed via Learn.UQ). A guide is available on Learn.UQ.
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.
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.
Video Group Assignment
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
16/05/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
Through UQ Extend content and Seminars you learn a lot of complicated and technical theory. However, one of the most important skills for a pharmacist is to translate technical clinical and pharmaceutical information for our patients, adjusting our communication to our audience. You will demonstrate these skills in this assignment, for which you have been asked by some local pharmacies and medical centres who are administering vaccines to produce a short video and information leaflet encouraging their patients to get vaccinated this season.
- You will complete this assignment as a group (everyone must appear and speak in the video)
- You will be allocated a specific vaccine on which to complete the assignment.
- You will be required to make a video, no longer than 3 minutes on the vaccine, supported by written information (an information leaflet) to further clarify information.
- Use APA 7th style referencing in-text and at the bottom of the video, and include a reference list at the end of the video and leaflet
- More details and the marking criteria/rubric for this assessment task is available on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use generative AI in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of generative AI tool in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This assignment and subsequent peer assessment will be submitted electronically in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for the course.
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.
As this is a group assignment, extensions must be discussed with group members in a timely manner. Extension requests for a group assessment item require at least 50% of your group members to also agree to the request for an extension and completion of the form at this link: Applying for an assessment 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.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L08
Task description
This exam will assess you on the pharmaceutical science content of PHRM1101, including the Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Drug Delivery modules. The exam will require you to demonstrate and apply your content knowledge in the context of an allocated drug.
- This is a CLOSED book, on-campus invigilated exam.
- Students will be completing and submitting the exam using their own device (laptop).
- The exam will be undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform. Go to the Inspera Assessment Information page link to navigate to the Library Services web page which provides further information on: how to access Inspera, on-campus invigilated exams in Inspera, device requirements, familiarisation opportunities, submitting assessment and access to the Student Laptop Scheme and short-term laptop-loans.
- The exam may contain a mixture of question types including multiple choice questions (MCQ), multiple response questions, matching/pairing, calculations, hotspot, drag and drop, graphic matching, and short answer questions (SAQs).
- The questions will assess content from UQ Extend, Seminars, Workshops, Practicals and online quiz questions.
Hurdle requirements
A mark of at least 50% on this exam is required to pass PHRM1101.Exam 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 | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Pens/stationery |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Students will be completing and submitting the exam using their own device (laptop) using the Inspera eAssessment platform.
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) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory coat | For your health and safety, you will not be allowed to enter the laboratory without this item | own item needed |
| Safety glasses | For your health and safety, you will not be allowed to enter the laboratory without this item | own item needed |
| Laptop computer | You will be required to bring your own laptop computer for the end of semester invigilated in-person exam | own item needed |
| Calculator | Casio FX82 series or UQ approved (labelled) calculator only | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
The PHRM1101 Course Intro Seminar willﾠuse Zoom. Instructions for installing Zoom can be found on my.UQ. You must access Zoom using your UQ account.
You will use Microsoft Teams for collaborating with colleagues throughout the course. A guide for linking to the PHRM1101 Team is available on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
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 |
Not Timetabled |
UQ Extend Weekly online self-directed learning content is to be covered before the related Seminar and Workshop/Practical Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08, L09 |
Team Based Learning |
Team-Based Learning (TBL) Weekly timetabled sessions to enable group study and work on assessments. Facilitated in person by staff to answer questions. Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Seminar |
Weekly Seminars Seminar to Explain and Elaborate on UQ Extend concepts covered that week (in person + recorded). Seminars are run interactively with the whole cohort in the learning theatre. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08 |
|
Workshop |
Workshops Workshop to apply UQ Extend and Seminar concepts (in person ONLY, not recorded). Workshops are run interactively with smaller groups (~30 students) and may involve guided and/or self-directed activities and worksheets, and verbal communication practice. Workshops occur in most weeks, and attendance is recorded. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Course Intro Seminar Introduction to PHRM1101. This seminar is online, conducted over Zoom. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Practical |
Medicinal Chemistry Practical Practical to apply UQ Extend and Seminar concepts (in person ONLY). Lab coat, safety glasses and enclosed shoes must be worn or entry will not be permitted. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Practical |
Drug Delivery & Compounding Practical Practical to apply UQ Extend and Seminar concepts (in person ONLY). Lab coat, safety glasses and enclosed shoes must be worn or entry will not be permitted. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05, L08 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Symposium |
Med Chem Team Presentation Med Chem Team Presentation (in person only) Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05, L07, L08 |
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.