Student Information
Graduate Programs
Undergraduate Studies
Research Higher Degree Studies
Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Ultrasound and Echocardiography
Certificate, Diploma and Masters
Contact: Edwina Coller at echo-info@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61-3-83445673
For further information and to register onto this program please click on the link to our website: http://www.heartweb.com.au/
Echocardiography and clinical ultrasound has rapidly emerged as a vital tool in anaesthesia, critical care, emergency medicine, surgery and internal medicine.
The University of Melbourne announces a new series of integrated courses delivered entirely by distance learning, to provide a knowledge-base for those interested in basic, diagnostic or advanced echocardiography and clinical ultrasound.
This three stage program starts with the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound which will provide you with a solid foundation for basic transthoracic echocardiography as well as surface-ultrasound uses such as vessel access, nerve blocks and trauma ultrasound.
At completion, you can exit with the Certificate, or elect to continue to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Ultrasound which will provide a diagnostic level of knowledge as with the addition of transoesophageal echocardiography (equivalent to the current Postgraduate Diploma of Perioperative and Critical Care Echocardiography).
A Masters of Clinical Ultrasound (after completing the Diploma) will be available for those who are interested in advancing in this field.
All courses are offered full time over 1 semester or part time over 2 semesters.
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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). Details regarding the new Pharmacology Major are as follows:
Science
Structure of a Pharmacology major
First year:
- Students should have successfully completed level 1 courses in Chemistry AND Biology (combined value of 37.5 points)
Second year:
- Pharmacology: How Drugs Work* (From 2010 sem 2) or (Fundamentals of Pharmacology (2009 sem 2))
Third year:
- Drugs: From Discovery to Market(sem 1)
- Drugs in Biomedical Experiments(sem 1 or 2)
And one of the following:
- Drug Treatment of Disease(sem 2)
- Drugs Affecting the Nervous System(sem 2)
Plus one of the following:
- Drug Treatment of Disease(sem 2)
- Drugs Affecting the Nervous System (sem 2)
- a third year subject in one of the following disciplines: Anatomy and Cell Biology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Chemistry**; Microbiology and Immunology; Neuroscience; Pathology; Physiology or Zoology.
Notes:
* Students enrolled in a Biomedicine degree do not have to study Pharmacology: How Drugs work as a prerequisite for 300-level pharmacology subjects. They may, however, choose to enrol in the subject as an elective.
** Students interested in Chemistry can consider a Pharmacology specialization of a Chemistry major.
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Subject Descriptions
200 level:
Pharmacology: How Drugs Work uses specific examples of clinically used drugs to establish the core elements that underpin the discipline of Pharmacology. During this course, students will see that Pharmacologists integrate knowledge from numerous other biosciences to identify molecular targets for therapy and to then design and test the effectiveness of new drugs. The lecture material is supported by practical classes, that will enable students to get hands-on experience in conducting pharmacological experiments and in analysing and presenting their own data.
For more information contact Second Year Coordinator Dr Graham Mackay on 8344 3932.
300 level:
Modern rational drug discovery and development is a coordinated, multidisciplinary undertaking. The cellular and molecular processes that can be targeted and the variety of techniques used at each stage of the drug development process will be presented. Consideration will also be given to executive strategies underpinning this enterprise, such as scientific and economic aspects of target choice, lead optimisation and individual variation. Students will be encouraged to integrate knowledge from different parts of this subject with their broader studies, reinforcing the multidisciplinary nature of drug discovery and development.
This subject is appropriate for all students interested in biomedical research. Students will learn how to design and perform experiments to investigate biological systems. Students will gain experience in a wide range of molecular and cellular approaches and in analytical techniques used in drug discovery.
Cancer, disorders of the immune system, cardiovascular diseases and acute and chronic lung disorders are the most common types of afflictions affecting people worldwide. This subject will examine the medicines that have been developed, or are currently being researched, to treat these diverse conditions. The mechanisms of action of the major classes of drugs used to treat these disorders and issues relating to their safe use will be covered. The importance of biotechnology to these therapeutic areas will also be considered.
The workings of the brain present one of the last true unknowns in modern medicine and yet it is the target for a multitude of interesting and important drugs. This subject addresses the use of drugs in modulating the processes of neurochemical transmission and neuronal survival in the context of the management of mood and emotional disorders, addictive behaviours, neuro-degenerative diseases, pain and epilepsy. This subject will also discuss strategies for the development of future therapeutics and students will gain an appreciation of how a detailed understanding of pathological processes is important for the rational development of new therapeutics.
For more information contact Third Year Science Coordinator A/Prof James Ziogas on 8344 5676
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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.
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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