P02 Designing and Teaching Pharmacology for an Integrated Program at the University of Canberra

In response to the shortage of pharmacists in Australia, and the desire of graduates in non-pharmacy fields to become a pharmacist, the University of Canberra pioneered a 2-year integrated Master of Pharmacy by coursework program in 2004. Here we present how pharmacology teaching is designed, developed and implemented. We introduce Pharmacology in the second semester, after Medicinal Chemistry where receptor pharmacology, drug metabolism and major drug groups are taught （ by GDL）. Pharmacology （ also by GDL） then focuses on organ systems which underpin the medication treatment regiment of individual patients in the subsequent studies of Applied Therapeutics （taught by GMC）. The weekly integrated pharmacology consists of a 2-hr lecture, 1-hr tutorial and 3-hr practical class in one 18-week semester. The 3-hr practical class is innovative and integrates problem-based teaching and real-world learning with students＇ participation and activity, ranging from hands--on experiments, drug games and computer-assistant simulation＂Pharmac-CAL--ogy＂ on WebCT, to real case studies, workshops by invited experts, and students＇ own presentation on a new drug each student has chosen. The feedback so far from our students has been very positive. We believe that our first cohort of graduates this year will have been trained with pharmacological knowledge and skills to enable them to＂ promote and contribute to optimal use of medicines＂ in their working life.

P02 Designing and Teaching Pharmacology for an Integrated Program at the University of Canberra