Course coordinator
Dr Christine Staatz
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences School
Develop knowledge and skills in pharmacokinetics and the application of pharmacokinetic approaches to optimise drug dosage regimen design. You will extend your knowledge of the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination processes of drugs and factors affecting pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability. You will be able to explain and determine optimal dosage regimens based on drug and patient factors.
The purpose of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to enable a student to devise individualised dosing regimens. This includes an understanding of the absorption, disposition (distribution, biotransformation and excretion) of drugs and factors affecting pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability.
Course requirements
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHRM1101, PHRM1102
Restrictions
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Christine Staatz
Tutor
Dr Christine Staatz
Mx Anna Zipf
Mrs Kitty St Pierre
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
For scheduled times and venues, refer to your personalised timetable.
The topic of each learning activity can be found on Learn.UQ.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to develop student knowledge, skills and attitudes in the field of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply knowledge of the concept of clearance and use this knowledge to design appropriate steady-state dosing regimens.
LO2.
Identify components of clearance (hepatic and renal) and their relationships to perfusion, extraction ratio and organ function; and apply this information to predict how changes in these factors might influence a patients drug dosing requirements and treatment outcomes.
LO3.
Apply knowledge of the concepts related to apparent volume of distribution of a drug and use this knowledge in the selection of an appropriate starting dose.
LO4.
Apply the principles of non-compartmental analysis (NCA) and compartmental analysis and be able to appraise these methodologies.
LO5.
Apply knowledge of the concept of drug absorption and bioavailability and use this knowledge to assess how this might impact on a patients drug dosing requirements and treatment outcomes.
LO6.
Apply knowledge of the concept of non-linear pharmacokinetics and use this knowledge to assess how this might impact on a patients drug dosing requirements and treatment outcomes.
LO7.
Apply knowledge of the major mechanisms through which drugs are eliminated from the body and appreciate how variation in these processes may affected a patients drug dosing requirement and treatment outcomes.
LO8.
Explain the concept of therapeutic drug monitoring and target concentration intervention and how this might be applied to make dosing recommendations.
LO9.
Apply the concept of variability in pharmacokinetic parameters within a population due to physiological variables, pathological changes and genetic differences and critique their potential impact on drug dosing requirements and treatment outcomes.
LO10.
Explain and predict variation in patient dosage requirements and drug concentrations in terms of patient physiology, pathological changes, and genetic differences.
LO11.
Apply knowledge of the relationship between drug concentration and effect (pharmacodynamics) and make predictions based on this relationship.
LO12.
Apply knowledge of how to optimise a dosing regimen and design one, as well as evaluate alternative designs.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3, Quiz 4 (A series of 4 separate online quizzes)
|
40% (10% per quiz ) |
Quiz 1 - 24/03/2025 5:00 pm Quiz 2 - 7/04/2025 5:00 pm Quiz 3 - 6/05/2025 5:00 pm Quiz 4 - 26/05/2025 5:00 pm
Each quiz has a separate due date. Complete and submit the quiz in the time (usually 7 days) prior to this deadline. |
| Project |
Designing a drug dosage regimen
|
20% |
16/04/2025 5:00 pm
Complete and submit the assignment prior to this deadline. |
| Examination |
Digital, on-campus, invigilated exam in Inspera
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3, Quiz 4 (A series of 4 separate online quizzes)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 40% (10% per quiz )
- Due date
Quiz 1 - 24/03/2025 5:00 pm
Quiz 2 - 7/04/2025 5:00 pm
Quiz 3 - 6/05/2025 5:00 pm
Quiz 4 - 26/05/2025 5:00 pm
Each quiz has a separate due date. Complete and submit the quiz in the time (usually 7 days) prior to this deadline.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
- This assessment comprises of four separate quizzes delivered through Learn.UQ.
- Each quiz contains a random selection of 10 to 15 questions from pools of questions.
- Once opened students have 60 minutes to complete the quiz.
- Quizes may assess all material covered by the time of quiz opening (including UQ extend content, workshops, tutorials and assignment), however questions will tend to focus on material covered in recent weeks.
- Each quiz may consist of (but is not limited to) multiple choice, problem solving and numeric calculation questions that test understanding and knowledge gained and the application of that knowledge. Quiz questions may involve assessment of scientific literature or case studies.
- Work independently to complete each quiz.
- Only ONE attempt at each quiz is allowed.
- Each quiz has a separate due date.
- This quiz is automatically marked. If your answer is correct, you will receive full points for that question. If your answer is incorrect, you will receive no points for that question.
- Further details on this piece of assessment, will be provided in the assessment area of Learn.UQ during the semester.
- This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Quiz distribution and submission will be administered through 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.
Designing a drug dosage regimen
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
16/04/2025 5:00 pm
Complete and submit the assignment prior to this deadline.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L12
Task description
- The assignment involves graphing and analysis of intravenous and oral pharmacokinetic data to estimate pharmacokinetic parameter values and provide appropriate dosing recommendations for a patient.
- Students may receive different datasets to analyse.
- Students can elect to work individually or in groups of 2 or 3 people on this assignment.
- Further details about this assignment, the assignment questions, and marks allocated to each question will be provided in the assessment area of Blackboard during the semester.
- This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) technologies, successful completion of the assessment will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference 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
Assignment distribution and submission will be administered through 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.
Digital, on-campus, invigilated exam in Inspera
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
- This invigilated, digital exam will be run centrally in the University examination period.
- This exam will assess content covered in the course within UQ extend, workshops, tutorials and the course assignment.
- This exam may consist of (but is not limited to) multiple choice, multiple response, matching/pairing, numeric calculation, hotspot, drag and drop, graphic matching, and short answer questions that test understanding and knowledge gained and the application of that knowledge. Exam questions may involve assessment of scientific literature or case studies.
- This exam will involve use of the Inspera platform.
- Students need to complete this exam using a device of their own.
- This assessment task is to be completed in-person.
- Further details about this exam will be provided in the assessment area of Learn.UQ during the semester.
- Further details about Inspera Assessment including an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support are available here: Assessments in Inspera.
Exam 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 | 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) | 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.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Calculator | Casio FX82 series or UQ approved (labelled) calculator only | own item needed |
| Laptop for EoS exam | You can borrow a laptop from the Library if you do not have a suitable device for your exam. Loans are for 24 hours or for 28 days and stocks are limited. | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
Access to Zoom via your UQ student account will be required for certain synchronous online classes each week (workshops).
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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Workshop |
Week 1 Introduction to course and drug clearance. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
General contact hours |
Week 2 Drug volume of distribution and non-compartmental analysis. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
General contact hours |
Week 3 Drug absorption and bioavailability. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
General contact hours |
Week 4 Bioequivalence and half-life. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
General contact hours |
Week 5 Compartmental analysis and non-linear pharmacokinetics. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. Learning outcomes: L04, L06 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Workshop |
Week 6 Drug metabolism and biliary elimination. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
General contact hours |
Week 7 Drug plasma protein binding and renal elimination. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Workshop |
Week 8 Pharmacokinetic variability and genetics. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Learning outcomes: L09 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
General contact hours |
Week 9 Pharmacokinetic variability continued. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. Learning outcomes: L09, L10 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Workshop |
Week 10 Pharmacodynamics. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Learning outcomes: L11 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
General contact hours |
Week 11 Pharmacokinetic dosage individualisation. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. Learning outcomes: L08, L12 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
General contact hours |
Week 12 Designing dosage regimens and pharmacokinetics of monoclonal antibodies. Complete the active online learning via UQ Extend before attending the weekly online workshop to discuss content and ask questions. Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. Learning outcomes: L12 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
General contact hours |
Week 13 Attend the tutorial at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which provides an opportunity to develop and practice your skills. Learning outcomes: L12 |
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.