96007 Drug Disposition
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Subject handbook information prior to 2022 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 96002 Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences AND 96003 Pharmaceutics
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject covers the principle topics in the pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics and pharmacodynamics required for applied therapeutics and practice. Core topics include: monoexponential kinetics; multiexponential kinetics; intravenous infusions; multiple dosing and dosage regimen design; non-linear kinetics; drug absorption; bioequivalence; drug distribution; drug metabolism; drug elimination; metabolite kinetics; pharmacodynamics; and toxicology. Advanced topics cover factors affecting drug efficacy including drug interactions and sources of variability (including the role of pharmacogenetics) in therapeutic outcomes. Applied topics include therapeutic drug monitoring and drug individualisation, and adverse drug reactions.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 0015. | Work successfully as a member of a collaborative group |
|---|---|
| 0098. | Identify the factors contributing to inter-patient variability in the clinical response to pharmacotherapy and/or non-pharmacological strategies |
| 0119. | Describe how a drug's physicochemical properties relate to drug action and therapeutic outcome |
| 0121. | Describe how a drug's physicochemical properties relate to drug disposition |
| 0123. | Explain factors governing drug response |
| 0131. | Conduct required pharmaceutical calculations |
| 0132. | Describe the various routes of drug administration, and factors governing the dosage form choice and route of administration |
| 0133. | Describe and calculate the pharmacokinetic, pharmacogenetic and pharmacodynamic parameters which affect therapeutic efficacy and response |
| 0134. | Describe the genetic basis governing drug efficacy: metabolising enzymes, drug receptors, signalling mechanisms and drug transporters |
| 0135. | Describe the mechanism of drug metabolism, factors affecting metabolite disposition and the role of metabolism in clinical drug interactions |
| 0136. | Describe the role of drug transporters in governing drug disposition and clinical drug interactions |
| 0137. | Describe the role of drug receptors and signalling pathways in governing therapeutic response |
| 0138. | Describe the sources of variability in drug response |
| 0139. | Describe the scientific basis of and apply dosage individualisation strategies to control for variability in drug response |
| 0140. | Describe the causes of toxicity and adverse drug reactions |
| 0141. | Describe approaches for the clinical management of toxicity and adverse drug reactions |
| 0146. | Design and implement a research project at the appropriate level |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Reflect on knowledge, skills and attributes required for the evaluation and integration of emerging evidence into practice, promoting the growth of personal and professional learning and the education of others. (.02)
- Analyse and synthesise knowledge of health science concepts and theory, and apply skills of scientific research and clinical reasoning to support decision-making in pharmacy practice. (.03)
- Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions. (.04)
- Capably communicate to patients, their families, carers and members of the healthcare team; contribute to wider health education and promotion, choosing and adapting communication modes to address cultural and linguistic diversity. (.06)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The subject contributes to the following Graduate Attributes:
Lifelong Learning:
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are lifelong learners, committed to and capable of reflection and inquiry in their quest for personal development and excellence in professional practice.
Professional Capacity:
Graduates in the Master of Pharmacy are client-focussed, ethical practitioners with the understanding and proficiency to be leaders in their profession, capable of effectively researching and communicating solutions in a global context.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lectures will provide relevant knowledge and theoretical underpinnings. Lectures are both face to face and online. Workshops are interactive, and provide an opportunity to apply lecture content to clinical situations. A formal laboratory-based project will extend students' research skills and extrapolate theoretical principles from observations.
Strategy 1: Student preparation for learning: Students read articles and use online resources, such as online tutorials and videos, provided Canvas to prepare for their participation in activities including facilitated discussion of the article along with answering article review questions, open class quizzes, and collaborative discussion of fundamental concepts drawn from the pre-work material.
Strategy 2: Active lectures: Lectures are a key learning resource in this subject. Attending lectures is crucial to a full understanding of the subject content. Some lectures will involve collaborative questions. Other lectures may include short videos, or examination of web pages, followed by a class discussion of the pertinent points. These questions will help to keep students engaged throughout the session. Notes corresponding to each lecture are uploaded to Canvas
Strategy 3: Collaborative and interactive learning in workshops: Workshops provide students with an opportunity to discuss and clarify concepts from the lectures, thus providing the students the opportunity for deeper understanding. Each pharmacokinetic lecture is paired with calculations content, for which collaboration with fellow students is encouraged. Students will engage in group discussions and problem-solving.
Strategy 4: Early and consistent feedback: Early feedback is provided face to face prior to the census date during calculations workshops, and during Project related workshops. Structured feedback regarding the quizzes is provided individually by appointment. The collaborative learning approach utilized in class will enable ongoing feedback to be provided either in class or online, as areas of learning need are identified through class discussions. AcaWriter is the platform used in supporting reflective practice during project and experimental design.
Strategy 5: Group work: students work in groups when working on their group assignment, a research project that runs from weeks 1-14 of the session. Workshops sessions will be dedicated to the project, students will need to coordinate group work and meetings outside of class time, fostering negotiation and teamwork skills. Group contracts are encouraged, and subject coordinator support and guidance of group work is provided.
Content (topics)
This subject covers the principle topics in the pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics and pharmacodynamics required for applied therapeutics and practice. Knowledge from requisites Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutics is applied to the understanding of drug disposition in the patient. Core, advanced and applied topics that are required for applied therapeutics and practice are delivered to students via both group and individual learning activities.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Progress Quizzes x 3
| Intent: | These assessment tasks contribute to the development of course intended learning outcomes.
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0119, 0121, 0123, 0131, 0132, 0133, 0134, 0136, 0137, 0138 and 0139 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .03 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Criteria: | Compulsory attendance. |
Assessment task 2: Attendance
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcomes.
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0015, 0098, 0119, 0121, 0123, 0131, 0132, 0133, 0134, 0135, 0136, 0137, 0138, 0139, 0140 and 0141 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .03 and .04 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 5% |
| Criteria: | Attendance is recorded during required classes across the session. |
Assessment task 3: Research Project Proposal and Literature Review
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcomes.
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0015, 0098, 0119, 0121, 0123, 0131, 0132, 0133, 0134, 0135, 0136 and 0138 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .02, .03 and .04 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Criteria: | Provided via Canvas. Your submission will be reviewed in Turnitin and your group grade will be individually moderated by a SPARK evaluation. |
Assessment task 4: Research Project Oral Presentation
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcomes.
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0015, 0098, 0119, 0121, 0123, 0131, 0132, 0133, 0134, 0135, 0136, 0138 and 0146 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .02, .03, .04 and .06 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Criteria: | Provided via Canvas. Your group grade will be individually moderated by SPARK evaluation. |
Assessment task 5: Final Assessment
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcomes.
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0098, 0119, 0121, 0123, 0131, 0132, 0133, 0134, 0135, 0136, 0138, 0140 and 0141 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .03 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Criteria: | Logic and reasoning skills, and knowledge of the examined topic areas are assessed |
Minimum requirements
Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of lectures and workshops.
This subject is assessed through a variety of modalities including quizzes, presentations and a final assessment all of which are compulsory. A grade of at least 50% in the final assessment is required to pass this subject.
Required texts
No required text. Required readings provided via the subject site on Canvas.
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Additional required readings will be provided via Canvas