96007 Drug Disposition
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 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)
| 007. | Design and implement a research project at the appropriate level. |
|---|---|
| 008. | Critically evaluate scientific evidence to arrive at evidence-based conclusions |
| 009. | Interpret experimental data in relation to pre-clinical and clinical investigations |
| 014. | Develop proficiency in collaborative learning by actively engaging with peers, contributing effectively to group discussions and activities, providing constructive feedback, and applying conflict resolution strategies within team learning environments. |
| 031. | Integrate relevant patient, drug, disease and system factors in the selection and management of appropriate therapy for patients. |
| 035. | Analyse the influence of a drug’s physicochemical properties on drug formulation, disposition and action |
| 036. | Integrate the principles of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics and pharmacodynamics, to optimise medication management |
| 039. | Determine the most suitable dosage form, delivery device and route of administration for an individual patient |
| 041. | Conduct required pharmaceutical calculations |
| 042. | Examine the mechanisms behind drug interactions and devise appropriate clinical management strategies |
| 043. | Analyse the causes of toxicity and adverse drug reactions, and develop comprehensive approaches for their clinical management |
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 (01.02)
- 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. (01.03)
- Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions. (02.04)
- 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. (02.06)
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-focused, 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.
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 with 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.
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 are 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: | To ensure that the students fully engage and understand the subject contents, alongside being able to effectively conduct the pharmacokinetic calculations correlating their theoretical learning with real-life practice. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 035, 036, 039, 041 and 042 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.03 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Criteria: | Compulsory attendance. |
Assessment task 2: Research Project Proposal and Literature Review
| Intent: | To conduct scientific research at an appropriate level, with an aim of correlating the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenomics topics covered in course with the current state-of-the-art research in the field. By doing so, the students will identify current gaps in the literature and compile a literature review on a chosen topic. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 007, 008, 009, 014, 031, 035, 036, 039, 041, 042 and 043 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.02, 01.03 and 02.04 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| 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 3: Research Project Oral Presentation
| Intent: | This presentation allows the students to improve their skills in clearly, succinctly and effectively presenting research data and scientific results, together with conducting critical evaluation and interpretation of research findings. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 007, 008, 009, 014, 031, 035, 036, 039, 041 and 042 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.02, 01.03, 02.04 and 02.06 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: | Provided via Canvas. Your group grade will be individually moderated by SPARK evaluation. |
Assessment task 4: Applied Drug Disposition Scenario (Must Pass)
| Intent: | To assess the students’ capacity to apply their theoretical learning of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics to real-life, pharmacy-based or clinic-based scenarios. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 031, 035, 036, 039, 041, 042 and 043 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.03 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | 20 mintues |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of answers provided by the student with respect to the content covered during workshops and lectures, logic and reasoning skills, pharmacokinetic calculation skills, and ability to apply fundamental theoretical and mathematical concepts and calculations, to real-life clinical or pharmacy-based scenarios |
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