University of Technology Sydney

96007 Drug Disposition

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health (GEM)
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(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 (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-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.

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:

These assessment tasks contribute to the development of course intended learning outcomes.

  • 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.
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:

01.03

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.

  • 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.
  • Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions.
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:

01.03 and 02.04

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.

  • Reflect on knowledge, attitudes and skills acquired for the evaluation and integration of emerging evidence into practice, promoting the growth of personal and professional learning and the education of others.
  • 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.
  • Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions.
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:

01.02, 01.03 and 02.04

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.

  • Capably communicate to patients, their families, carers and members of the health care team, contribute to wider health education and promotion, choosing and adapting communication modes to address cultural and linguistic diversity.
  • Reflect on knowledge, attitudes and skills acquired for the evaluation and integration of emerging evidence into practice, promoting the growth of personal and professional learning and the education of others.
  • 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.
  • Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions.
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:

01.02, 01.03, 02.04 and 02.06

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.

  • 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.
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:

01.03

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 Policy

Coursework Assessments Procedures

Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)

Additional required readings will be provided via Canvas