Major
Pharmacology
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What will I study?
Overview
In this major you will study the interaction between chemical agents and living matter, and learn how biologically active substances (such as pharmaceutical, agricultural, household and industrial chemicals) act in the human body.
You’ll learn how drugs work, and how drugs are used as therapies and as experimental tools for investigation of important problems in biology.
Your major structure
You can study this major through the Bachelor of Biomedicine or the Bachelor of Science.
BACHELOR OF BIOMEDICINE
You will take 8 core subjects (125 points) across your degree that will build an understanding of the structure and function of the body and consideration of the determinants of health and disease, including genetic and environmental influences (4 in first year, 2 in second year and 2 in third year).
In your third year, you will complete 50 points (four subjects) of deep and specialised study in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Throughout your degree you will also take elective and breadth (non-science) subjects.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
In your first and second years you will complete subjects that are prerequisites for your major, including biology, chemistry and foundational pharmacology subjects.
In your third year, you will complete 50 points (four subjects) of deep and specialised study in pharmacology.
Throughout your degree you will also take science elective subjects and breadth (non-science) subjects, in addition to your major subjects and prerequisites.
Sample course plan
View some sample course plans to help you select subjects that will meet the requirements for this major.
These sample study plans assume that you have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If you have not completed this previously, you may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in your first semester. If you did not achieve a study score of at least 25 or equivalent in year 12 Biology, you will need to enrol in the relevant introductory first year biology subjects: BIOL10008 Introductory Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10010 Introductory Biology: Life’s Complexity instead of BIOL10009 Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10011 Biology: Life’s Complexity.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
breadth
12.5 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
breadth
12.5 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
breadth/science elective
12.5 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
These sample study plans assume that you have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If you have not completed this previously, you may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in your first semester. If you did not achieve a study score of at least 25 or equivalent in year 12 Biology, you will need to enrol in the relevant introductory first year biology subjects: BIOL10008 Introductory Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10010 Introductory Biology: Life’s Complexity instead of BIOL10009 Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10011 Biology: Life’s Complexity.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
breadth
12.5 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
breadth
12.5 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
breadth/science elective
12.5 pts
These sample study plans assume that you have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If you have not completed this previously, you may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in your first semester. If you did not achieve a study score of at least 25 or equivalent in year 12 Biology, you will need to enrol in the relevant introductory first year biology subjects: BIOL10008 Introductory Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10010 Introductory Biology: Life’s Complexity instead of BIOL10009 Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10011 Biology: Life’s Complexity.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
These sample study plans assume that you have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If you have not completed this previously, you may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in your first semester. If you did not achieve a study score of at least 25 or equivalent in year 12 Biology, you will need to enrol in the relevant introductory first year biology subjects: BIOL10008 Introductory Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10010 Introductory Biology: Life’s Complexity instead of BIOL10009 Biology: Life’s Machinery and BIOL10011 Biology: Life’s Complexity.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.
- 12.5 pts
This subject is appropriate for all students interested in biomedical research. Students will learn how to design and perform experiments to investigate biological systems. Students will gain experience in a wide range of molecular and cellular approaches and in analytical techniques used in drug discovery.
Recommended electives
At least two of
- Drugs Affecting the Nervous System 12.5 pts
The working of the brain and nervous system is an important frontier of modern medicine and nerves are the target for many important drugs. This subject will address how drugs modulate the processes of neuronal communication and survival in the context of the management of mood and emotional disorders, addictive behaviours, neuro-degenerative diseases, pain and epilepsy. This subject will also discuss strategies for the development of future therapeutics. Students will gain an appreciation of how a detailed understanding of pathophysiological processes is important for the rational development of new therapeutics.
- Drug Treatment of Disease 12.5 pts
Cancer, disorders of the immune system, cardiovascular diseases and acute and chronic lung disorders are the most common types of afflictions affecting people worldwide. This subject will examine the medicines that have been developed, or are currently being researched, to treat these diverse conditions.
This subject will present the scientific basis of present and likely future treatments of cancer, allergy, acute and chronic inflammation, infection, autoimmunity and transplant rejection, as well as of hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular atheromatous disease and metabolic syndrome.
You will examine current knowledge of the aetiology of these disorders. The mechanisms of action of the major classes of drugs used to treat immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases will be considered in the context of these systems and processes.
Core concepts in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and their importance to safe and effective therapy will be exemplified throughout. The importance of biotechnology to these therapeutic areas will also be considered.
- Drugs: From Discovery to Market 12.5 pts
This subject will provide an overview of modern drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on the pharmacology that underpins the endeavour. The social, economic and scientific challenges facing contemporary drug discovery and development with respect to choice of suitable drug targets will be discussed; current drug targets, including receptors and enzymes, will be highlighted. Strategies – contrasting the complementary chemical-to-target and target-to-chemical approaches – to identify and optimise lead compounds will be presented. The material will include a discussion of small molecules as well as “biologicals”, such as antibodies and nucleotides. A description of how these lead compounds become drug candidates and are characterised with regards to their pharmacodynamic (receptor binding and activation), pharmacokinetic (ability to reach their site of action) and toxicological/safety pharmacology properties will be provided. Finally the approaches to bring an identified drug candidate to the market will be examined. This part of the subject will consider the necessary human clinical trials, regulatory requirements and ongoing monitoring of approved drugs. The subject material will be presented via a combination of lectures, associated online learning materials, and “hot topic” tutorials. The latter will focus on recent innovations in drug discovery, and will serve to highlight the close relationship between basic science and actual therapeutic agents.
Optional electives
Plus (if required to make up 50 points) electives selected from the following areas of study: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Physiology, Zoology or the following subject:
- Biomedical Science Research Project 12.5 pts
In this subject students participate in an individual program of supervised research within the School of Biomedical Sciences, or elsewhere within the faculty, at a research institute or overseas institution in which the student contributes to the design of a research project, in consultation with a supervisor; conducts the research; and presents the findings of the project. The project may be self contained or form a component of a larger research program. Each student will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.
Where a student is conducting the research external to the School of Biomedical Sciences, a School of Biomedical Sciences academic staff member who has allied research expertise co-supervises the project and coordinates the assessment requirements. Detailed assessment requirements, including due dates of individual assessment items, are determined through consultation between the supervisor, the co-supervisor and the Biomedical Science Research Project Coordinator(s) in the relevant department.
The subject may incur additional costs such as travel and accommodation. Students may be eligible for University funding. Where the host institution is located in the IndoPacific, Australian citizens for whom this subject is part of a full time semester of study may consider applications through the New Colombo Plan scholarship funding.