Course coordinator
Dr Christine Staatz
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences School
This online course aims to assist Master of Nurse Practitioner students to develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the quality use of medicines and drug pharmacology in relation to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The course will cover aspects of the Australian healthcare system, focusing particularly on the National Medicines Policy and Quality Use of Medicines. Equitable, effective, safe, judicious and appropriate medicines usage will be discussed. The course will also cover pharmacological principles around drug pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination), pharmacodynamics, adverse drug reactions and drug interactions. Examples will be given from different classes of drugs and students will be encouraged to consider how relevant information can be considered within their own context and scope of practice. Students will develop critical skills around safe and effective drug use, prescribing and administration which they can then apply when making client care decisions.
This course seeks to assist students working in advanced health care roles to develop their knowledge and critical appraisal skills around safe and effective drug use, prescribing and administration which can be applied when consulting, implementing and evaluating integrated care for recipients. Teaching material is presented as interactive web-based modules with independent activities and readings.
Course contact
Lecturer
Dr Christine Staatz
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to assist students to develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the quality use of medicines and drug pharmacology in relation to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students will develop critical skills around safe and effective drug use, prescribing and administration which they can then apply when making client care decisions.ﾠﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate and apply knowledge in legislation, regulation and policies relevant to provide better health outcomes for all Australians through the access to and wise use of medicines.
LO2.
Demonstrate an ability to consider and apply principles around equitable, effective, safe, judicious and appropriate medicines usage when making client care decisions.
LO3.
Demonstrate and apply knowledge around how drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion in the human body inform appropriate therapeutic use of medicines.
LO4.
Understand the relationship between drug dose and drug concentration in the body (pharmacokinetics) and drug concentration in the body and drug effect (pharmacodynamics) and to be able to make predictions based on these relationships.
LO5.
Demonstrate and apply knowledge around factors associated with the development of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions.
LO6.
Use published research data to relate and apply knowledge to issues and principles around the quality use of medicines, drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Evidence Based Medicine Critical Appraisal | 15% |
24/03/2025 1:00 pm |
| Project | Quality Use of Medicines Case | 15% |
31/03/2025 1:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Clinical Pharmacology Case Study
|
30% |
16/06/2025 1:00 pm |
| Quiz |
Series of 8 separate Online Quizzes
|
40% (5% per quiz) |
Quiz 1 7/04/2025 1:00 pm Quiz 2 14/04/2025 1:00 pm Quiz 3 28/04/2025 1:00 pm Quiz 4 5/05/2025 1:00 pm Quiz 5 12/05/2025 1:00 pm Quiz 6 19/05/2025 1:00 pm Quiz 7 26/05/2025 1:00 pm Quiz 8 9/06/2025 1:00 pm
Complete and submit the quiz prior to each deadline. |
Assessment details
Evidence Based Medicine Critical Appraisal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
24/03/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L06
Task description
- This assignment requires students to critically appraise an original research study and relate the study findings to a particular clinical scenario by answering a series of questions.
- Further details about the original research study, the clinical scenario, the questions to be answered, and the marking criteria will be provided in the assessment area of Learn.UQ during the semester.
- The anti-plagiarism software Turnitin is being used at UQ. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If this process is used, then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks.
- 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
Submit an electronic version via Learn.UQ. A link will be made available in the assessment area of Learn.UQ to allow you to submit your assignment electronically. Please check Learn.UQ for specific instructions on this process.
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.
Quality Use of Medicines Case
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
31/03/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
- This assessment task requires students to identify a clinical scenario from their own area of practice that involved medicine(s) usage.
- In a written assignment format the student should briefly describe the scenario, identify QUM issues associated with the case, discuss possible solutions to these issues, and describe their and others' role in the management of the situation.
- Further details about this assignment and the marking criteria will be provided in the assessment area of Learn.UQ during the semester.
- The anti-plagiarism software Turnitin is used at UQ. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If this process is used, then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks.
- 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
Submit an electronic version via Learn.UQ. A link will be made available in the assessment area of Learn.UQ to allow you to submit your assignment electronically. Please check the Learn.UQ assessment area for specific instructions on this process.
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.
Clinical Pharmacology Case Study
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
16/06/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
In this assessment task students will submit a video demonstrating how their understanding of clinical pharmacology can be applied to the care of a patient. The student will choose from a few different supplied case studies and submit a 10 minute video presentation on ONE of the case studies.
To highlight the student's understanding of applied clinical pharmacology it is recommended the following presentation structure is followed:
1. Background information
2. Pharmacokinetic considerations for the patient
3. Pharmacodynamic considerations for the patient
4. Proposed changes to patient's medication regimen based on clinical pharmacology
5. Ongoing monitoring requirements
Additional Tips
1. When providing background information focus on information that is relevant to understanding the clinical pharmacology.
2. The ADME framework may provide a good structure to analyse pharmacokinetic considerations, bearing in mind not all elements will necessarily be relevant to the case.
3. In terms of pharmacodynamics, some items to consider can include the type of concentration effect relationship, mechanism of action and the model of drug action and how the patient’s clinical circumstances may affect these.
4. Recommendations should be clearly linked to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations.
5. In terms of patient monitoring, discuss short and long term considerations with respect to both efficacy and safety that are relevant to clinical pharmacology understanding.
Further instructions on this piece of assessment, and the marking criteria, will be provided in the assessment area of Learn.UQ 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 submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit a video via Learn.UQ. A link will be made available in the assessment area of Learn.UQ to allow you to submit your video electronically. Please check the Learn.UQ assessment area for specific instructions on this process.
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.
Series of 8 separate Online Quizzes
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 40% (5% per quiz)
- Due date
Quiz 1 7/04/2025 1:00 pm
Quiz 2 14/04/2025 1:00 pm
Quiz 3 28/04/2025 1:00 pm
Quiz 4 5/05/2025 1:00 pm
Quiz 5 12/05/2025 1:00 pm
Quiz 6 19/05/2025 1:00 pm
Quiz 7 26/05/2025 1:00 pm
Quiz 8 9/06/2025 1:00 pm
Complete and submit the quiz prior to each deadline.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05
Task description
- This assessment comprises of eight separate quizzes administered through Learn.UQ.
- Each quiz contains a random selection of 10 questions from pools of questions.
- Once opened students have 90 minutes to complete the quiz.
- 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.
- 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 instructions 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
Each quiz should be completed electronically in Learn.UQ. A link to each quiz will be made available in the assessment area of Learn.UQ. Please check the Learn.UQ assessment area for specific instructions on this process.
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.
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. |
Additional course grading information
To obtain a passing grade in this course, students must attain an overall mark of 50% or greater for the sum of the graded assessment pieces.
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
Computer access - private
Students are expected to have access to a computer that supports basic Windows-style or Mac-style platforms, including word-processor and spreadsheet programs, and anti-virus software, the internet and UQ email. Students are responsible for ensuring their private computer is updated with the latest system patches and the anti-virus software is kept up-to-date.
Learn.UQ
The course has a Learn.UQ site that has information and learning material in regards to the course. Students will be required to become proficient in accessing and using the Blackboard site.ﾠTo access Learn.UQ log in to myUQ.
Other Learning Resources & Information
Please post questions relating to PHRM7001 on the Learn.UQ discussion board.
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 5 |
Not Timetabled |
Component 1 Quality Use of Medicines (Modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 9 |
Not Timetabled |
Component 2 Pharmacokinetics - Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (Modules 10, 11, 12, 13) Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 10 To Week 13 |
Not Timetabled |
Component 3 Pharmacodynamics - Dosing in Special Populations, Adverse Drug Reactions, Drug Interactions, Drug and Patient Monitoring (Modules 14, 15, 16, 17) Learning outcomes: L04, L05, L06 |
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.