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Unit outline_

PHAR5723: Immunology and Cancer

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study will cover the therapeutics of immunology and cancer including the pharmaceutical sciences that underpin such drug therapies. This unit will also include the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical features of immunology and cancer. Through the use of case-based learning, students will participate in the interpretation, application and dissemination of pharmaceutical and pharmacotherapeutic concepts and knowledge. On completion of this unit of study students will be able to apply an understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences to optimising the drug and non-drug therapy of patients with cancer and immunological disorders. Interprofessional communication and the application of specialist knowledge to implementing pharmacist cognitive services such as clinical interventions and/or medication management review will also be explored. Students will become familiar with drug information software and a number of computerised drug information databases. Role-plays will be used to develop students' communication skills for interaction between pharmacists and their clients (patients, doctors, other health professionals).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(PHAR5711 or PHAR5911) and PHAR5712 and PHAR5713 and PHAR5714 and PHAR5715 and PHAR5716 and PHAR5717 and PHAR5718
Corequisites
? 
PHAR5721 and PHAR5722 and PHAR5920
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rebecca Roubin, rebecca.roubin@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rebecca Roubin, rebecca.roubin@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Written Exam
Written Exam with MCQ, short answer
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO1 LO3 LO2 LO4 LO6
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam hurdle task Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Oral assessment (OSCE)
25% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO1 LO3 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small continuous assessment Tutorial assessments
Tutorial prework, postwork, professionalism, and participation
15% Ongoing 12 x 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO1 LO3 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Tutorials: Pre-work, post-work and inclass OSCE practice in each case-based tutorial must be completed to attain satisfactory tutorial marks. If a task is failed, the students may be given an opportunity to repeat the task at a time convenient to the coordinator/tutorial facilitator. Post-work tasks includes the generation of a “letter to the doctor” and a full medication review – both submitted online in Canvas on the due date.
  • OSCE: The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has three stations x 7 mins. Each student will be given three topics, with time to prepare for the three topics. Immediately after the preparation time, each student will discuss the topics, and the issues and concerns raised when reviewing the topic, at three closed book stations, with a pseudo-doctor (who is also the examiner), a pseudo-patient (who is also the examiner), and a pharmacy colleague (who is also the examiner). You must pass (50%) the station to pass the unit of study.
  • Written exam: The written exam consists of both multiple-choice  and short-answer questions, and will be based on lecture and tutorial material. You must obtain a minimum of 50% in the written exam to pass the unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Supplementary Yr assessments: Students may be offered re-assessment of compulsory-to-pass assessments as described in the relevant local provisions. For more information see:
MPharm https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2018/469&RendNum=0

Repeating students: Exemption from components (tutorials) for students repeating PHAR5723 will not be granted. 
 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Interactive small group case-based learning emphasising the application of 'processes' in practising as a pharmacist in cancer and immunology disorders cases, especially communication processes incorporating information gathering, information processing and information delivery. Tutorial (36 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Lectures and Q+A discussion covering cancer and immunological disorders topics Lecture (48 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Learn independently, including completing prework and postwork Independent study (58 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: In accordance with the Master of Pharmacy Course resolutions on Attendance Requirements, students must attend a minimum of 85% tutorials (10 of 12 tutorials) to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study.  For more information see https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/medicine_health_PG/coursework_mr/pharmacy.shtml

If a tutorial is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation.

Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorial will be marked as absent.

Students swapping a tutorial without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as absent.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List, available on Canvas.

Australian Medicines Handbook, current edition

eTG complete, current edition

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology associated with immunological disorders and cancer
  • LO2. Identify the most appropriate evidence-based treatments and the appropriate advice and counselling to patients with immunological disorders and cancer
  • LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of the chemistry and pharmacology that forms the basis of structure-activity relationships, drug-drug interactions, and drug design of medicines used for immunological disorders and cancer
  • LO4. Identify and manage medication-related adverse events and provide appropriate advice/counselling to patients with immunological disorders and cancer or other health care professionals
  • LO5. Communicate effectively and ethically with patients, their families, and other health care professionals about the optimal management of immunological disorders and cancer
  • LO6. Identify and utilise appropriate resources that are used to form the basis of decisions on which medicines and services are recommended to patients with immunological disorders and cancer and other health care professionals
  • LO7. Critically examine scientific evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to arrive at evidence-based conclusions
  • LO8. Work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a learning team

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         
LO8         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Lectures have been scheduled before the relevant tutorials. All lectures and tutorials include a set of learning outcomes.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.