Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 1
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy School
This course will provide information on how drugs are absorbed, distributed and cleared from the body and will define and apply basic pharmacokinetic parameters. Knowledge on the basic principles of poisoning including medicines, natural substances and household products will also be provided.
This course introduces the following topics: (1) basic concepts of how drugs are absorbed, distributed and eliminated (cleared), including by routes of metabolic biotransformation; (2) the toxicology of substances from various sources, including how poisoning can be treated and managed.
The course develops pharmacokinetic concepts, and their application to the administration of drugs, using worked examples.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The course introduces students to the biological fate of drugs in the body and to the toxicology of foreign compounds. The course assumes no previous knowledge of pharmacokinetics or toxicology.
Restrictions
Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Irina Vetter
Tutor
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
For scheduled times and venues, refer to mySI-net timetable. The topic for each lecture week by week including holidays and assessment weeks and times can be found on BlackBoard.
Aims and outcomes
To introduce the basic concepts and principles of pharmacokinetics
To introduce the toxicology of various substances including medicinesﾠandﾠthe treatment ofﾠpoisoning
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe how drugs are absorbed, distributed, and cleared / eliminated from the body
LO2.
Define and apply basic pharmacokinetic parameters and use them in drug dosage calculations
LO3.
Describe the major mechanisms through which drugs are metabolised in the human body and explain some consequential adverse drug reactions
LO4.
Describe the basic principles of poisoning from various sources including medicines, natural substances, and household products
LO5.
Apply theoretical knowledge on pharmacokinetics and toxicology to analyse published research data and solve problems
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Quizzes
|
40% |
Quiz 1 19/08/2024 - 23/08/2024 Quiz 2 9/09/2024 - 13/09/2024 Quiz 3 16/09/2024 - 20/09/2024 Quiz 4 14/10/2024 - 18/10/2024 Quiz 5 21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024
Quizzes will be available from 5pm of the day of the lecture until Friday 3pm of that week. Once started, quizzes will be open for one hour, for one attempt only. |
| Examination |
Written examination
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Online Quizzes
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
Quiz 1 19/08/2024 - 23/08/2024
Quiz 2 9/09/2024 - 13/09/2024
Quiz 3 16/09/2024 - 20/09/2024
Quiz 4 14/10/2024 - 18/10/2024
Quiz 5 21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024
Quizzes will be available from 5pm of the day of the lecture until Friday 3pm of that week. Once started, quizzes will be open for one hour, for one attempt only.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
This is a series five online quizzes containing a random selection of questions from pools of questions.
Quiz 1 is worth 10%
The topic of Quiz 1 is Absorption, bioavailability, volume of distribution, clearance and half-life.
The quizzes will be open during the period indicated and students will have a single attempt only.
This will be marked electronically for correct answers. Each correct answer is worth 0.5 mark, with a total of 10 marks available.
Students should work independently, access the questions via Blackboard, and submit their answers via Blackboard.
Quiz 2 is worth 8%
The questions for this Quiz 2 are based on the Smith et al. and Hennig et al. publications (8%). The publications are available via Blackboard before the Quiz starts.
The quizzes will be open during the period indicated and students will have a single attempt only. This will be marked electronically for correct answers. Each correct answer is worth 0.5 mark, with a total of 8 marks available.
Students should work independently, access the questions via Blackboard, and submit their answers via Blackboard.
Quiz 3 is worth 9%
The quizzes will be open during the period indicated and students will have a single attempt only. This will be marked electronically for correct answers. Each correct answer is worth 0.5 mark, with a total of 9 marks available.
Students should work independently, access the questions via Blackboard, and submit their answers via Blackboard.
Quiz 4 is worth 4%
The topics of Quiz 4 are questions arising from the article by Isbister et al. The publication is available via Blackboard
The quizzes will be open during the period indicated and students will have a single attempt only. This will be marked electronically for correct answers. Each correct answer is worth 0.5 mark, with a total of 4 marks available.
Students should work independently, access the questions via Blackboard, and submit their answers via Blackboard.
Quiz 5 is worth 9%
The questions for Quiz 5 are based on the toxicology material. This will be marked electronically for correct answers. Each correct answer is worth 0.5 mark, with a total of 9 marks available.
The quizzes will be open during the period indicated and students will have a single attempt only.
Students should work independently, access the questions via Blackboard, and submit their answers via Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Students should work independently, access the questions via Blackboard, and submit their answers via Blackboard.
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.
Written examination
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The written examination will consist of multiple choice questions (MCQ) and short answer questions (SAQ).
All parts of the course, both lectures and practicals, may be covered by this written examination.
Approved calculators may be used in the exam. See the website for information about which calculators are approved: https://my.uq.edu.au/services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/sitting-exam/approved-calculators
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 |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| 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) | 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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
See Blackboard for additional materials to complement lectures. Please post questions relating to PHRM2050 on the Blackboard feedback forum.
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 |
Lectures in Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology Lectures will be held online over zoom or available via recordings on Learn.UQ: Week 1 - Course Introduction and basic pharmacokinetics Weeks 2-3 - Basic pharmacokinetics Week 4 - No lecture Week 5 -Tutorial Weeks 6-8 - Drug elimination Week 9 - Tutorial Week 10 - Introduction to basic toxicology from a pharmacist perspective Week 11 - Sources of poisons and toxins Week 12 - Mechanisms of toxicity Week 13 - Treatment of poisons Tutorials will be held in place of lectures in weeks 5 and 9 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 9 |
Not Timetabled |
Online Resources Various videos on basic pharmacokinetics. See Learn.UQ for information. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 - Calculations This tutorial will take place in week 5. Application of basic pharmacokinetic concepts; F, ka, CL and V. Each tutorial is one hour duration. See timetable. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 This tutorial will take place in week 9. Application of pharmacokinetics with a focus on drug elimination. Each tutorial is one hour duration. See timetable. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
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.