Undergraduate MUR-BRD202-2023

Drugs in Society

Uncover the effects legal, illicit and medicinal drugs have on society. Follow the steps in a drug's development, from discovery to clinical testing and marketing. Analyse the ethical and economic features. Look into herbal medicines and homoeopathy.

From

$1,895 $2,145

Your upfront cost: $0

International student?

Duration

13 weeks

Study method

100% Online

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

Start dates

27 Nov 2023

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2023

Subject details

What you'll learn

On successful completion of the subject you should be able to:

understand the types of drugs that you might encounter in your personal and future professional lives
outline how some of these drugs work
explain the interaction of modern society with these drugs, both legal and illegal.

Topics covered

- A brief history of drugs
- Drug discovery
- How do drugs get to the market?
- Drugs of abuse
- Antibiotics
- Drugs and the law
- Recreational and prescription drugs
- Herbal medicines and homeopathy
- Drugs in the Emergency Department
- Drugs and sex

Entry requirements

Others

Students undertaking this subject as part of their Murdoch Degree requirements must have completed 18 credit points (6 OUA subjects) at Level 1 before enrolling in the subject.

Additional requirements

Equipment requirements - Simple video recording device (such as phone or camera)

Description

Have you ever wondered how aspirin knows where the pain is? Or why some drugs are so addictive?

This subject explores drugs, asking how they are discovered and regulated. It examines social drugs such as alcohol and nicotine, illicit drugs such as cannabis and cocaine, and medicines such as painkillers and anti-depressants. It considers social, ethical and economic issues such as reproductive medicines, drugs in sport and the rise of complementary medicines, as well as future personalised therapies.

Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.

Assessments

1000 word leaflet (20%)
2500 word Essay (50%)
Presentation (30%)

Textbooks

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).