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Unit Overview

Description

This unit introduces students to the concepts of drug and vaccine development, from the initial stages of searching for candidate drugs and vaccines, through to the human clinical trials, including ethical and safety issues. Conventional antimicrobial agents and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance are described, as are the latest vaccines. The unit emphasises the methodologies and processes behind the successful development and evaluation of drugs and vaccines.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)On-campus

The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) integrate key knowledge and concepts about the immunobiological basis of vaccination and vaccine development approaches and vaccine components; (2) discuss drug development for infectious diseases, clinical trials and ethical implications, and the role of partnerships in drug development; (3) apply research skills through the critical analysis of experimental data; (4) critically assess experimental methodologies in immunological correlates of protection, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assays, and antimicrobial activity assays; and (5) analyse key features of antimicrobial agents including mechanisms of action and resistance.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) final exam; (2) tests; and (3) assignments and participation. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Christopher Peacock and Dr Calila Santos
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
Advisable prior study
MICR5829 Foundations of Infectious Diseases MICR5830 Principles of Mycology and Parasitology MICR5842 Principles of Infection and Immunity PUBH4403 Epidemiology 1 MICR5832 Diagnostic Medical Microbiology MICR5831 Molecular & Cellular Microbiology MICR5846 Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Communities
Contact hours
lectures: 2 per week
4 practical classes of 3 hours
6 tutorials of 2 hours
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.