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HE Unit Template
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Pharmacology and Toxicology
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SCMED3010 - Pharmacology and Toxicology
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20270200
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Course
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Unit
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3.0
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Science
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Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
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Science
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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019907
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Pharmacology
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019907 - Pharmacology
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scmed3010">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Bachelor Degree
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Advanced
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1
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<p>Pharmacology is the study of drugs and how they work and has its roots in therapeutics, which aims to reduce the adverse effects of disease. Drug action can only be understood in the context of what else is happening in the body. Therapeutics have a high rate of obsolescence, so particular attention in this Unit is devoted to an appreciation of mechanisms of action of drug classes and in arming you with the basic knowledge and know-how that you will require to keep up with this rapidly changing field. For this Unit students would benefit from prior studies in pathophysiology, immunology and genomics (eg. SCMOL2010, SCMED2010, SCMED2011, SCMOL3020). This Unit includes an on-campus lab over 2-3 days where students are required to participate as part of the Unit assessment.</p>
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<p>This unit introduces fundamental concepts and knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology. There is an emphasis on molecular and cellular effects of drugs, drug targets, mechanisms of action and drug-receptor interactions. Examples are drawn from drugs affecting the immune system, the heart and vascular system, nervous system and other organ systems. Unwanted side-effects, drug toxicity and safety are considered in the context of mechanisms of drug action, time and dose-dependent factors determining drug action and efficacy and the importance of measurement and experimentation in pharmacology.</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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SCMED3010 - Pharmacology and Toxicology
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SCMED3010 - Pharmacology and Toxicology
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Semester
Semester 1
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>Pharmacology is the study of drugs and how they work and has its roots in therapeutics, which aims to reduce the adverse effects of disease. Drug action can only be understood in the context of what else is happening in the body. Therapeutics have a high rate of obsolescence, so particular attention in this Unit is devoted to an appreciation of mechanisms of action of drug classes and in arming you with the basic knowledge and know-how that you will require to keep up with this rapidly changing field. For this Unit students would benefit from prior studies in pathophysiology, immunology and genomics (eg. SCMOL2010, SCMED2010, SCMED2011, SCMOL3020). This Unit includes an on-campus lab over 2-3 days where students are required to participate as part of the Unit assessment.</p>
Unit content
<p>This unit introduces fundamental concepts and knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology. There is an emphasis on molecular and cellular effects of drugs, drug targets, mechanisms of action and drug-receptor interactions. Examples are drawn from drugs affecting the immune system, the heart and vascular system, nervous system and other organ systems. Unwanted side-effects, drug toxicity and safety are considered in the context of mechanisms of drug action, time and dose-dependent factors determining drug action and efficacy and the importance of measurement and experimentation in pharmacology.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
019907 - Pharmacology
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scmed3010">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=SCMED2011" target="_blank">SCMED2011</a></p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
1
<p>Explain the role of pharmaceuticals and the principles underlying drug action and toxicity</p>
2
<p>Describe drug targets, chemical mediators, and the pharmacological effects of drugs on major organ systems</p>
3
<p>Interpret and apply principles of pharmacokinetics, including drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination, to evaluate drug behaviour in the body</p>
4
<p>Critically evaluate and apply methods used to assess drug efficacy, safety and toxicity</p>
5
<p>Interpret, synthesise and communicate scientific information related to pharmacology and toxicology</p>
6
<p>Apply laboratory and analytical techniques to investigate and measure drug action and toxicity</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Computer simulations</p>
<p>Tutorial worksheets, tutorial attendance and participation</p>
<p>20-40%</p>
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2
<p>Practical (lab based) application of theory and techniques, interpretation, reporting and presentation of results.</p>
<p>Laboratory performance and associated report(s) and/or presentation(s).</p>
<p>20-40%</p>
1, 4, 5, 6
3
<p>Application test - to assess knowledge of the core content and the ability to apply this knowledge to interpret and discuss the role of pharmacology and toxicology in different scenarios</p>
<p>Tests - invigilated written or oral responses to questions</p>
<p>40-60%</p>
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
019907 - Pharmacology
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scmed3010">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: SCMED3010 - U3.0