Extended Major Overview
- Description
The Medical Science - Pharmacology and& Toxicology extended major will focus on mechanisms of health and human disease, providing students with the essential preclinical knowledge that will prepare them for a broad range of careers in health- and biomedical science-related fields. The Level 1 and 2 units focus on preclinical disciplines. These disciplines will be integrated within the two Level 3 Body Systems units which will have a strong focus on functional human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major, including aspects of Australian society and Aboriginal health. The structure of the Major provides for a broad, pre-clinical, pan-discipline education, while accommodating a single discipline focus.
The Pharmacology and Toxicology focus provides the comprehensive grounding in scientific concepts that are required in order to understand how the body affects the actions, efficacy and safety of drugs, how drugs affect the human body, and how drugs are used to treat human disease. Units in this focus cover the following topics: pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion), drug–target interactions, dose/concentration–response relationships, intracellular signalling, toxicology, pharmacogenomics, systems pharmacology, clinical trials, structure-activity relationship, drug design, discovery and development. Theoretical content is reinforced by practical laboratory sessions and computer-based workshops.
- Outcomes
Students are able to:
- articulate a broad knowledge of the structure, function and physiology of the human body at a molecular, cellular, organ and body system level
- demonstrate an understanding of communicable and non-communicable disease processes and health interventions based on knowledge of human body functions and pharmacological principles
- communicate biomedical concepts and knowledge to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways
- evaluate and adopt research methodologies including research design and the analysis and interpretation of health and medical data
- demonstrate high level academic and interpersonal skills
- discuss the role of pharmacology and toxicology in improving health outcomes and addressing current and future health challenges
- discuss the processes that regulate the fate of drugs and chemicals in the body
- discuss drug action at molecular, cellular, tissue and whole-body levels, discriminating between various mechanisms of action of drugs
- relate therapeutic effects and unwanted adverse effects to drug action, recognising the significance of genetic polymorphism in drug response; (10) discuss the development and contribution of advanced technologies to drug design and discovery; (11) investigate a problem related to pharmacology or toxicology through hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data collection, analysis and interpretation; (12) perform laboratory experiments relevant to assessing the action of drugs and their impact on pathophysiological processes; (13) select, critically appraise, and communicate scientific information on a topic related to pharmacology and/or toxicology; (14) work constructively in a team; and (15) discuss ethical approaches in learning and research.
- Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
- Prerequisites
ATAR Chemistry or equivalent.
ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent.
- Incompatibilities
- None
- Courses
Medical Science - Pharmacology and Toxicology can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
No study plans found for this major. Check your chosen course, see study plans or contact your student advising office for more information.
Units
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year. Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.
Level 1
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED1001 | Form and Function |
|
| S1 | IMED1002 | The Facts of Life |
|
| S2 | IMED1003 | Cell Survival and Communication |
|
| S2 | IMED1004 | Health and Society |
Bridging units
Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year.
Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
Level 2
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED2001 | Body Defences |
|
| S1 | IMED2002 | Blood and Drugs | |
| S2 | IMED2003 | Medical Sciences Research Methodologies | |
| S2 | IMED2004 | Human Development and Genetics |
Degree-specific major units
Pharmacology and Toxicology—take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | PHAR2210 | Foundations of Pharmacology |
|
| S2 | PHAR2220 | Systems Pharmacology |
|
Level 3
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED3010 | Human Body Systems 1 |
|
| S2 | IMED3020 | Human Body Systems 2 |
Degree-specific major units
Pharmacology and Toxicology—take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | PHAR3310 | Applied Molecular Pharmacology |
|
| S1 | PHAR3311 | Applied Molecular Pharmacology Methods | |
| S2 | PHAR3320 | Translational Pharmacology and Toxicology |
|
| S2 | PHAR3321 | Translational Pharmacology and Toxicology Methods |