Department of Pharmacology

Student Information

Graduate Programs

Undergraduate Studies

Course Information
Admission & Scholarships
Undergraduate Handbook 2007
PHARMACOLOGY HONOURS PROJECTS

Research Higher Degree Studies

Course Information
Research Higher Degree Projects 2008-9 - Now Available
Admissions & Scholarships
How to Apply for a Research Higher Degree
Postgraduate Handbook 2008
Resources available for Current Research Higher Degree Students

How to Apply for Travel Funding

Postgraduate Course

Postgraduate Diploma in Perioperative & Critical Care Echocardiography

Contact: Mrs Marcelle Wood/ Ms Kerri Edmond
Phone: 8344 5673
Maintenance of Professional Standards - MOPS (ANZCA)
The Postgraduate Diploma in Perioperative and Critical Care Echocardiography has been approved
as a Learning Project under the ANZCA MOPS Program. Participants can claim 50 CME points
under category 2 of code 161.
Your approval number for this activity is 0315

International Students

 

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Undergraduate Courses in Pharmacology

The Department of Pharmacology contributes to the undergraduate teaching of degrees in Science (BSc and BSc(Hons)), Medicine (MB BS and BMedSci), Dentistry (BDSc), Optometry (BOptom), and Veterinary Science (BVSc). The details of these courses may be obtained from the University of Melbourne Handbook of Undergraduate Courses.

Science
The Department of Pharmacology offers a number of units to students as part of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) course. These units may be taken in combination with units from other Departments such as Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pathology, Microbiology and Chemistry. Students wishing to study pharmacology at the undergraduate level as part of the BSc degree begin by taking introductory pharmacology in second year. The unit - which serves as a basis for all further studies in pharmacology - comprises a combination of lectures and practical classes. In the third year of the BSc degree Pharmacology offers a selection of units which also consist of a combination of lectures and practical classes:

* Cellular and Molecular (534-301) is the foundation for study in this discipline covering the mechanisms of drug-receptor interactions, handling of drugs by the body and the pharmacology of the autonomic nervous
system and autacoids.
* Neuropharmacology (534-302) is concerned with the pharmacology of neurochemical transmitters in the nervous system.
* Pharmacology of Therapeutic Substances (534-304) deals with the use of drugs in the treatment of a variety of systemic diseases.
* Toxicology (534-305) introduces students to mechanisms by which drugs and other chemicals exert toxic effects in living systems.
* Drug Discovery (534-306) describes approaches used in the discovery of new pharmacological agents.
Drug Development Techniques (534-311) is a largely laboratory based unit where students will investigate some of the practical issues in the development of new pharmacology agents.

For more information contact Third Year Science Coordinator Dr James Ziogas on 8344 5676

Optometry
Ocular Pharmacology (534-307) is taught in the third year of the optometry course. The aim of the subject is to make the students aware of the basic mechanisms of drug action with specific emphasis on drugs used in optometry and that might impact on their work as optometrists.

Veterinary Science
Pharmacology is taught in first year (250-103) Veterinary Biochemistry and Pharmacology and second year (250-209) Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology to students in Veterinary Science. Over the two units students are taught the mechanisms of drug actions, particularly as they relate to their use in veterinary practice, and the principles and pharmacology of intoxications.

Second Year Science Pharmacology
Second Year Science Pharmacology (534-201) - introduces second year students to the basic principles underlying this discipline. For more information contact Second Year Coordinator Dr Graham Mackay on 8344 3932.

Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Students who major in pharmacology and achieve Faculty Honours in third year, usually second class honours or higher, are eligible to enrol in the fourth year Bachelor of Science (Honours) course (BSc(Hons)). This additional year of study is centred around an original research project carried out under the supervision of a member of the Academic or Senior Research staff.
As well as participating in the ongoing research conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, students attend lectures and seminars in advanced topics in pharmacology and recent advances in research. Assessment is by a number of formats; a thesis describing the results of the student’s research, oral presentations and written examinations spread through the year.

For more information contact Honours Coordinator, Professor Peter McIntyre on 8344 7843

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Research Higher Degree in Pharmacology

Upon completion of the BSc(Hons) degree students achieving high grades may be accepted to undertake postgraduate studies toward the MSc (two year study) or PhD (three years study) degrees. In addition candidates for these degrees are often graduates of Science or Medicine from other Universities in Australia and overseas. The student conducts research in the laboratory of a member of the Academic staff and becomes a member of the research team.

Students regularly report the results of their research to their supervisory panel, departmental seminars and national and international scientific conferences. Assessment is based on the presentation of a major thesis which is assessed by local and overseas experts in the field of research.

The Department provides a desk, computing facilities, internet access, photocopying, etc. Support is
provided to assist students to present the results of their research at National and International conferences.

After presentations at International conferences students submit a report describing their experience.
A normal prerequisite to undertaking studies at this level is financial support in the form of a scholarship, for example from the University, Government or organisations that support research.

Further information on application procedures and scholarships may be found at the School of Graduate
Studies website.

For more information on undergoing a postgraduate degree in Pharmacology contact Research Higher Degree Coordinator Associate Professor Alastair Stewart.

 

How to apply for a Research Higher Degree

  1. Review Department Research website (www.pharmacology.unimelb.edu.au/research/research.html) to identify areas of research that match your interest.
  2. Write to the Research Higher Degree Coordinator, Professor Alastair Stewart (astew@unimelb.edu.au) and copy your correspondence to Mrs Fanoula Mouratidis (fanoula@unimelb.edu.au).
    In your email clearly identify:
    1. The research higher degree for which your seek enrolment
    2. The areas of research that interest you most
    3. Attach a detailed current CV together with the contact details of three academic referees and a scanned copy of your certified academic transcript
  3. Visit the School of Graduate Research website (www.sgs.unimelb.edu.au) to gain information on eligibility for enrolment and the application process.
  4. Visit the Melbourne Scholarships Office for information on your eligibility for various scholarships.  This site also has useful information on cost of living for prospective students from outside Melbourne.

What happens next?

  1. You will receive an acknowledgement of your email and an indication of whether there are suitable supervisors potentially interested in taking on research higher degree students.
  2. You will then correspond with the potential supervisor.
  3. A formal application can proceed when a potential supervisor agrees to be nominated and an outline of a research project of mutual interest is developed.
  4. For International Students. The application is forwarded to the Department for further assessment.
  5. For Local Students the application is forwarded to the Department for further assessment.
  6. A final decision is advised by the School of Graduate Research.

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Resources available for Research Higher Degree Students

The University of Melbourne has established guidelines on PhD candidature for departments, supervisors and candidates, and seeks to continually improve supervision and academic support. See http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/postgraduate/infrastructure.html

This document details the facilities and resources available for postgraduate research students within this department.

DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY

~ 23 enrolled PhD students enrolled at 29 May, 2008
~ No Research Masters students enrolled at 29 May, 2008

Research HIgher Degree Coordinator and contact details
Associate Professor Alastair Stewart
Tel: 61-3-8344 5675 Email: astew@unimelb.edu.au

Research Higher Degree Administrator and contact details Mrs Fanoula Mouratidis
Tel: 61-3-8344 7843 Email: fanoula@unimelb.edu.au

Information for students
~Induction session (one per year)
~Postgraduate student handbook/website

Building Access
~24 hour access with key/swipe card

Working space
Total number of desks available: 30 for onsite students
~Single desk per student
~Usual storage provision
.....>Lockable cupboard or locker
.....>Bookshelves available

Computing
~Two computers are available in the Department Postgraduate Room to be shared by research students.

Software available for student use
~Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
~Internet Explorer
~Netscape
~Eudora Mail

Resources
~Lab space and consumables – available through the PhD supervisor.
~Photocopying – through the Department there are two communal photocopiers.
~Printing – Communal printer in Department PhD Room and Photocopy room.
~Telephone - located in the Lab and Tea room
~Dial-in internet access – Communal computer in PhD room.
~Interlibrary loans – Department Library.

Conference and travel funding
~ Up to $2500 support for International Conference (subject to School of Graduate Studies support)
~$500 per annum toward National Conference attendance (up to to 3)
See How to Apply for Travel Funding

Technical support provided at faculty or departmental level
~Department Manager – Mr Victor Iwanov

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How to apply for Travel Funds

Travel Funds available:

 

International Travel:

$2,500 (1 award for candidature)

Your application will be reviewed by the Executive Committee which meets every fortnight (please check with Head of Department’s Personal Assistant for dates).  The amount awarded is usually $2,500 on the condition that an application is submitted to SGR and, after the trip, receipts and a brief report are submitted to the Head of Department.

Before travelling please ensure you have submit the required documents as detailed in the Department Travel Policy requirements.

 

National Travel Funding:

$500 (3 per candidature)

  1. Submit a letter to the Head of Department detailing the conference that you wish to attend, and the budget for that attendance.
  2. If this request is for a meeting other than ASCEPT you will need to make a case as to the relevance of the meeting that you wish to attend.

Meeting support is not automatically awarded to Honours and Research Higher Degree Students. Formal requests are reviewed on their merits.  The Department has a policy to support requests that meet the criteria identified below:

Upon receipt of support for an International meeting attendance the student will be expected to participate fully for the whole meeting and will be required to submit to the Head of Department a report on their attendance and laboratory visits.

Students receiving Department support to attend ASCEPT are required to:

Before travelling please ensure you have submit the required documents as detailed in the Department Travel Policy requirements.

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