Browse courses to find something that interests you.
Pharmacology is a biomedical discipline that is concerned with the study of the effects of drugs on living systems. This course provides the introductory principles governing drug action. These principles are expanded upon in our accompanying microcredentials, Drugs in the Human Body and Mechanism of Drugs in Treatment.
In this course you’ll explore the chemical nature of drugs and the relationship between structure and activity. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of drug actions at their receptor sites, as well as the mechanisms and specificity of drug action.
Online content is complemented by a Zoom tutorial program which emphasises the relationship between the properties of a drug and its delivery.
The study of pharmacology is an important part of any general medical or bioscience education and is also relevant to careers in teaching, law, and local government. This course is designed not only towards training specialist pharmacologists, but also aims to provide a broad understanding of drugs, how they affect living organisms and their impact on society. The fundamental principles of pharmacology covered in this course are essential to developing an understanding of the metabolism and actions of specific drugs in detail.
Module 1 - Introduction to pharmacology
Learning objectives:
Module 2 - Agonists, antagonists, and drug toxicity
Learning objectives:
Module 3 - Drug receptors
Learning objectives:
Module 4 - Pharmacokinetics
Learning objectives:
Administration & Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism & Excretion
Quantitative Pharmacokinetics
This course provides fundamental knowledge in pharmacology. The study of pharmacology is part of all nursing, medical and pharmacy degrees, as well as many science degrees.
This microcredential aligns with the 2-credit point subject, Principles of Drug Actions (91181), in the Master of Science (C04241). This microcredential may qualify for recognition of prior learning at this and other institutions.
This course is for anyone who is interested in understanding how drugs work, or anyone who needs to have pharmacology as a requisite for postgraduate study (for example a post graduate pharmacy degree).
On successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
There are 3 assessment tasks for this course:
Assessment task 1 - Pharmacokinetics case study (Presentation, group and individually assessed, weight 20%)
Assessment task 2 - End-of-session quiz (Individual, weight 50%)
Assessment task 3 - Pharmacokinetics Zoom tutorial (Quiz/test, individual, weight 30%)
Over the course, emphasis will be placed on modes of drug action, structure-activity relationships and drug targets. 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).
Participants will be given access to a self-directed dose-response tutorial. They are encouraged to direct their learning with video links provided and engage in coordinated learning via the monitored discussion boards.
In the pharmacokinetic Zoom tutorial, you will work in groups to tackle a range of pharmacokinetic problems based on real-life examples relating to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. During the final hour of the tutorial, you will be given 30 minutes to complete responses based on a case study involving drug interactions to determine the mechanism, potential consequences for patients and alternative therapeutic strategies. Your group will be required to present your case study findings in a five-minute presentation to the course coordinator over Zoom. The tutorial component will be worth 30% of your mark and the case study presentation worth 20%.
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 50% 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.
Completion of all assessment tasks, and an overall mark of 50% (pass) or above.
There are no specific requirements for this microcredential, though a background in science is recommended.
None – any pharmacology textbook would aid study.
Access to a computer and the internet.
Full price: $1680 (GST free)
Discount codes are available for the following:
If you are eligible for any of the discounts above, you will need to obtain a discount code BEFORE you sign up to this course.
Please email support@open.uts.edu.au with your UTS staff or alumni number or provide details of your enrolment to C04252 Master of Pharmacy. Once verified, you will be supplied with a voucher code to apply to your cart.
Please note that discounts cannot be combined. A limit of one discount applies per person per course session.
START DATE |
Start anytime |
MODE |
Online |
DURATION |
Self paced |
Brian is a translational researcher who aims to identify and develop new ways of treating respiratory diseases. His scientific training began at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, UK, where he mastered the isolation and in-vitro culture of several types of human lung cells. He then had further training in both molecular biology (two publications: he discovered a new gene in humans, and examined epigenetic programming events during embryogenesis) (University of Leeds) and then virology at Prof Sebastian Johnston’s laboratory at Imperial College, UK, before commencing his PhD at The University of Sydney (supervised by Prof Judith Black).
Brian is now head of the Respiratory Molecular Pathogenesis group with laboratory facilities located at both UTS and the Woolcock Institute. The work from his group is recognised to be amongst the best in the world, evidenced by selection for presentation at symposia at both national and large international conferences, as well as through prestigious publications.
Explore the different theories, models and processes that have been conceptualised to understand and enact learning design.
Learn about modern slavery internationally and in Australia and the actions you can take to prevent it.
Upskill now. The NSW Chemistry Stage 6 syllabus module explains what initiates and drives chemical reactions.
This course will help you to understand the how, what and why of payment by outcomes.
This leading resource is designed for organisations addressing modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. The course provides practical guidance on the supply chain reporting requirements set out in Australia’s Modern Slavery Act.
Prepare to be surprised at how easy, engaging and accessible online learning is! Enrol in this free taster to experience UTS’s approach to online and blended learning.