PHARM 3102 - Drug Discovery & Development
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHARM 3102 Course Drug Discovery & Development Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites HLTH SC 2104 Assumed Knowledge PHARM 2400 Assessment Students will complete online quizzes, 2 mid-semester tests (one online), participate in tutorials and engage in workshops. There will be an end of course closed-book examination. Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Scott Smid
Dr Scott Smid
Dr Ian Musgrave
Professor Sepehr Shakib
Professor Andrew Somogyi
Dr Daniel Barratt
Associate Professor Betty Sallustio
Dr Abdallah Salem
Mr Greg MacPhersonCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
A full course timetable can be accessed on MyUni. -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
- Compare and understand common natural sources of drugs and contemporary approaches to drug design and development
- Demonstrate an understanding of the timelines and resources required to discover and develop new drugs in a preclinical setting
- Demonstrate an understanding of the critical features of each stage of the preclinical drug development process
- Utilise in silico approaches to critically evaluate the pharmacophore for ligand-protein binding
- Work in small groups to design a novel drug binding to a protein target at a molecular level
- Demonstrate an understanding of the environment and drivers of drug discovery and commercialisation of research
- Demonstrate an understanding of population, gender and ethnic differences in drug action and metabolism
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,6 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
4-6 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
5 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1-6 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
5,6,7 Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
7 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
4,5 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Basic Principles of Drug Discovery and Development by Benjamin E Blass, 2015: ISBN 978-0-12-411508-8 is available online from the Barr Smith Library. This is probably the best online resource and freely accessible for students. Chapters can be downloaded.Recommended Resources
Supplemental textbooks to be made available within BSL:
Preclinical Development Handbook, Shayne Cox Gad (Editor). ISBN: 978-0-471-21383-3
Textbook of Drug Design and Discovery. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420063226.
Case Studies in Modern Drug Discovery and Development. Eds: Huang & Aslanian. 2012. Online ISBN:978111821968. This is also available online from the Barr Smith Library.
Rang H.P et al. Pharmacology, 9th Ed., 2018, Churchill-Livingstone. This textbook has limited content pertaining to this course. Some chapters may be useful for reference, include pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, drug development and drug toxicity.Online Learning
The primary means of communication outside of the formal contact hours will be via Canvas. Announcements will be used as the main method of communicating with the student cohort. Course material will be supported by online resources, with lecture recordings, tutorial materials and on-line quizzes via Canvas. Material will be sequentially released in line with the teaching and learning activities in each week. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Lectures will be supported by problem-solving tutorials to reinforce and further expand or develop material covered in lectures. The nominated assignment is in small group format and is facilitated in workshops.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Students are reminded that the overall workload for a full time student as stated in the University of Adelaide Calendar is an average of 48 hours per week per teaching period (i.e. semester). This includes contact and non-contact hours and includes general study and research time for assignments. This course is a 3 unit course and thus represents quarter of a full time load. You should thus be putting in an average of 12 hours of study each week (including contact hours) for this course.Learning Activities Summary
Overview to drug discovery and preclinical development: small molecule and biologics
Conventional and historical approaches to drug discovery
Basic and applied pharmacokinetic concepts in drug development
Biotransformation: implications for drug development
Pharmacogenomic considerations in drug development
Drug discovery: Identifying drug targets
Sources for drug discovery: Bioprospecting
Medicinal chemistry concepts in drug development
Preclinical drug screening; In vitro models
Preclinical drug screening: In vivo models
Assessment of toxicology in preclinical drug development:
Commercialisation approaches: academic and industry perspectivesSpecific Course Requirements
N/A -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Online quizzes, tutorial and workshop participation, summative tests, assigned drug development project and final examAssessment Detail
Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Course Learning Outcomes assessed Test 1: MCQ and short answer test on all lecture and tutorial content weeks 1-5 inclusive, Summative Week 8
15% Test 2: Written MCQ test on all lecture and tutorial content weeks 6-10 inclusive Summative Week 12 15% Project: Students work in small groups to write a report on an assigned drug and molecular target. Students provide a written report on completion and group presentation. Summative 30% Examination.
A 2 hour examSummative End of Semester 40% Submission
Coursework submissions (e.g. Written Assignments/projects) received after the deadline will be penalised as follows:10% of total
available points will be penalised per day (24 hour period or fraction thereof).
An automatic zero mark will be applied after 7 days.
If you miss a coursework assessment test e.g. from illness, you are required to
present medical or compassionate certification to be eligible to sit a
supplementary test. Such certificates need to be provided to The Course
Coordinator directly within one week of the test date. The date
and time of the test is then determined by the Course Coordinator
and is not negotiable. Eligible students will be informed of the supp. test date
by email.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
