Module 1 - Drug responses
Learning objectives:
- Adverse drug reactions
- Individual variation to drugs
- Drug interactions.
Module 2 - Drugs in pregnancy
By the end of this module you will be able to:
- Understand and be able to illustrate (using examples), how maternal drug use may affect foetal growth and development
- Understand the use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy.
Module 3 - Alcohol metabolism
Learning objectives:
- Detail the acute and chronic effects of alcohol on the central nervous system, liver and other systems
- Outline the biochemical pathways by which alcohol is metabolised in the body
- Explain the pharmacokinetics of alcohol, including why alcohol has a constant rate of metabolism per hour
- Describe the aetiological factors in alcohol dependence
- Outline the emergency management, long-term management and prevention of alcohol intoxication, dependence and alcohol-related pathology.
Module 4 - Autonomic pharmacology
By the end of this module you will be expected to:
- Detail differences between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system
- Describe autonomic control of the eyes
- Detail cholinergic and noradrenergic pharmacology (neurotransmitter synthesis, release, uptake, metabolism, receptors)
- Describe the concept of autonomic (resting) tone.
Module 5 - Venoms & toxins
Learning objectives:
- Differentiate between poisonous vs. venomous animals
- Differentiate between venoms, poisons and toxins
- Describe processes by which animals envenomate prey
- Discuss the different roles of venoms and toxins
- List the venomous snake families - particularly those found in Australia
- Describe the extent of the snakebite problem in Australia vs. the world
- Describe the physiological processes which occur after snake envenomation
- Identify the appropriate first aid and treatment strategies following snake envenomation
- Describe the method of production and effectiveness of snake antivenom
- Identify the most common Australian arthropod bites/stings
- Outline mechanisms for allergic reactions to hymenopteran venoms
- Describe the mechanism of action of selected toxins from Australian arachnids and marine animals
- Correlate symptoms of envenomation with mechanism of action of arthropod and marine animal toxins
- Identify the appropriate first aid and treatment strategies following
- Australian arthropod and marine animal envenomation
- Identify uses of toxins as potential biopesticides and therapeutics.
Course delivery
Over the duration of the course, topics covered will include individual variations to drugs, adverse drug reactions, drugs in pregnancy, alcohol metabolism, autonomic pharmacology, and venoms & toxins. During the course, there will be opportunities to assess your understanding of the topic and discuss responses through the use of monitored discussion boards and a Zoom tutorial session. Resources and activities are to be accessed via the Canvas learning management system (access will be provided).
In the ‘Venoms and toxins’ Zoom tutorial, you will work in groups to solve a case study involving an envenomation. Using information about the patient’s history and a description of their symptoms, you will identify the venomous animal responsible for the attack, determine the best laboratory test for diagnosis, and decide on the best treatment option. You will be required to present your findings and reasoning to the class in a 2-3 minute presentation. At the conclusion of the tutorial, each participant is expected to sit the post-tutorial quiz via Canvas, where you will be given a number of questions based on the case studies and lecture material. The quiz will run for 15 minutes, with timing starting upon opening the quiz. You have one (1) opportunity to sit this quiz, which will be worth 30% of your final mark.
Participants will be provided with real data from a cholinesterase practical experiment which will provide the foundation for a scaffolded cholinesterase report based on set questions. The report is to be submitted via Canvas. It will be worth 30% of your final mark.
Content will further be assessed through an end of session quiz that will be delivered on Canvas. All topics delivered on Canvas and during the Zoom tutorial are assessable in this quiz. It will be worth 40% of your final mark.
Supplementary assessment items and examinations for this course are not available.
It is recommended that any questions regarding the above are posted to the monitored message board prior to emailing the course coordinator.
