Fundamentals of Drug Discovery and Development

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
PHAR 3000
Course ID icon
Course ID
200405
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
3
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course will provide students with a fundamental knowledge of drug discovery and development. Students will build on knowledge gained in the relevant foundational pharmacology courses. Further knowledge will be gained on approaches to sourcing and developing new drugs, from natural sources through to rational drug design, as well as approaches to testing drug efficacy and safety. Additional topics in commercialisation provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of drug discovery and development, from bench to bedside. This course will provide fundamental knowledge of drug discovery and development relevant to several undergraduate programs.

Course learning outcomes

  • Compare and understand common natural sources of drugs and contemporary approaches to drug design and development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the timelines and resources required to discover and develop new drugs in a preclinical setting
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the critical features of each stage of the preclinical drug development process
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the environment and drivers of drug discovery and commercialisation of research
  • Demonstrate an understanding of population, gender and ethnic differences in drug action and metabolism

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A