Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Drug Discovery and Development

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ONPS2713

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Durga Dharmadana

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0040

Course Coordinator Email: durga.dharmadana@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course will provide you with an overview of how drugs and therapies have been discovered and used, from traditional medicines through to modern drug development. You will be introduced to the pharmaceutical industry and both historical and contemporary drug development practices. You will also explore key aspects of the drug discovery and development process, including the roles of different organisations and stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. You will be introduced to modern therapeutic development practices, including considerations related to developing generic drugs, new biopharmaceuticals and therapeutic devices. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs:  

Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences BP311P23

  • PLO 1: Apply a breadth and depth of pharmaceutical science knowledge, concepts and evidence in various real world settings using a scientific approach; 
  • PLO 3: Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to pharmaceutical sciences and exhibit safe and ethical conduct;  
  • PLO 4: Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences utilising contemporary and traditional formats on topics related to pharmaceutical science employing integrity, inclusivity, and culturally safe practices;
  • PLO 6: Apply and demonstrate the concepts of cultural intelligence and cultural safety to practice, with consideration of First Nations peoples’ knowledge and the global community in all aspects of work. 

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

1. Describe historical and modern approaches to drug discovery and development 
2. Discuss the use of traditional medicines in different cultures and societies, including First Nations peoples 
3. Describe  the main features of the different stages of the modern drug development process 
4. Analyse how the different stakeholders in drug development are connected and compare and contrast their contributions and responsibilities. 
5. Communicate key characteristics of the drug discovery and development process, including roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders, to a diverse range of audiences. 


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Written Assignment  
Weighting 20% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 5

Assessment Task 2: Podcast 
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3, 4 & 5

Assessment Task 3: Presentation 
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 4 & 5

Assessment Task 4: Invigilated end of semester test 
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3 & 4 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.