PHRM20001 Pharmacology: How Drugs Work
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
- About 4 class hours a week
Is PHRM20001 hard?
PHRM20001: Harder. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, Final exam 60%, 1 other hurdle task.
What you learn
How drugs act on the body, their good and bad effects, and how new drugs are found and tested.
After it you can
- Explain how drugs act on the body and how it handles them
- Discuss the benefits and side effects of common drugs
- Describe how drugs are developed and approved
What you need first
37.5 points from BIOL10002, BIOL10008, BIOL10009, BIOL10010, BIOL10011, BIOM10002, CHEM10003, CHEM10004, CHEM10006, CHEM10007, CHEM10008, CHEM10009
- BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
- BIOL10010 Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOM10002 Exploring Biomedicine
- CHEM10003 Chemistry 1
- CHEM10004 Chemistry 2
- CHEM10006 Chemistry for Biomedicine
- CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry
- CHEM10008 Foundation Studies in Chemistry
What it leads to
- BMEN30011 Introduction to MedTech Innovation
- PHRM30002 Drugs Affecting the Nervous System
- PHRM30003 Drug Treatment of Disease
- PHRM30008 Drugs: From Discovery to Market
- PHRM30009 Drugs in Biomedical Experiments
How it’s assessed
Assignments 10%, Quizzes 10%, Tests 20%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2018–2025)
- Very content heavy: learn each drug class's mechanism of action, side effects and uses. Flashcards such as Anki help.
- The MST was often too long, with averages around the mid-60s, so a H1 takes steady work.
- Most found it interesting and well organised. Studying physiology (PHYS20008) alongside helps a lot.
- The exam also tests practical content, so revise the practical slides.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate PHRM20001
Quick answers
- When is PHRM20001 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking PHRM20001?
- Needs 37.5 points from BIOL10002, BIOL10008, BIOL10009, BIOL10010, BIOL10011, BIOM10002, CHEM10003, CHEM10004, CHEM10006, CHEM10007, CHEM10008, CHEM10009.
- Does PHRM20001 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 10%, Quizzes 10%, Tests 20%, Final exam 60%.
- Is PHRM20001 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Very content heavy: learn each drug class's mechanism of action, side effects and uses. Flashcards such as Anki help.
- What do students say about PHRM20001?
- Very content heavy: learn each drug class's mechanism of action, side effects and uses. Flashcards such as Anki help. The MST was often too long, with averages around the mid-60s, so a H1 takes steady work. Most found it interesting and well organised. Studying physiology (PHYS20008) alongside helps a lot.
- How many class hours a week does PHRM20001 have?
- 4 h a week in class
- Can I take PHRM20001 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music.
- What can I take after PHRM20001?
- 5 subjects need it first, for example BMEN30011, PHRM30002, PHRM30003, PHRM30008.
- Can I rate PHRM20001?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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