Unit of Study VBIO2001 Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Pre-requisites

VETS2002 - Applied Veterinary Microbiology AND BIOL2007 - Biochemistry AND VBIO1006 - Introduction to Pathophysiology

Enrolment information

1. To pass the unit, students must complete and satisfy requirements for all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: We recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Any engagement opportunity missed, regardless of the reason, can decrease the opportunity for learning. It is expected that students will attend and participate in all scheduled classes and activities for this unit. Whilst many learning sessions may not include direct assessment, many will be linked to a summative assessment task in some way, and all will be associated with acquisition of Day 1 Competencies.

Unit description

This unit provides students with foundational knowledge of pharmacological principles and their clinical applications. Students will develop an understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, including how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in animals, as well as their mechanisms of action at target sites. Students will explore the therapeutic uses, mechanisms of action, and potential toxic effects of commonly used veterinary drugs, such as antimicrobials, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory agents. Emphasis will be placed on how these drugs interact with physiological systems to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. The unit also covers antimicrobial stewardship and pharmacovigilance, highlighting veterinarians’ responsibilities in responsible drug use, monitoring for adverse events, and managing antimicrobial resistance. Basic toxicology will be introduced, equipping students to recognize, diagnose, and manage common veterinary toxicities. By integrating these concepts, students will develop the skills needed to make informed, ethical, and evidence-based decisions in the selection and use of pharmacological agents, preparing them for responsible veterinary practice.

Unit content

Fundamentals of veterinary pharmacology and toxicology
Veterinary therapeutics and drug classes
Antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice
Pharmacovigilance and safe drug use in veterinary medicine
Toxicology in veterinary medicine I
Toxicology in veterinary medicine II

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2026

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

define and apply knowledge of the commonly used classes of veterinary drugs to identify appropriate drug therapies for specific animal species and conditions while engaging in reflective practice

identify common used classes of veterinary drugs, explain dosage regimens, routes of administration, and key considerations for drug interactions and contraindications of commonly used veterinary drugs, and apply this knowledge to perform accurate dose calculations

explain the principles of antimicrobial therapy, antimicrobial stewardship and judicious use of antimicrobials, and provide justification for selecting and using antimicrobial agents in species commonly encountered in veterinary practice

discuss and extend a knowledge of the principles of clinical toxicology and apply management strategies for toxicological incidents in veterinary patients as part of a veterinary team.

Fee information

Domestic

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