PHRM30003 Drug Treatment of Disease
University of Melbourne · Level 3 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
- About 3 class hours a week
Is PHRM30003 hard?
PHRM30003: About average. Makes it harder: Final exam 60%. No student reviews yet — based on the Handbook only.
What you learn
Drugs used to treat cancer, immune problems, heart and blood vessel disease, and lung disease.
After it you can
- Explain how major drug classes work
- Weigh the benefits and risks of a treatment
- Link disease processes to how new drugs are designed
What you need first
PHRM20001 or the subject coordinator’s permission
Careers
Helps toward: Biochemist, Chemical engineer
How it’s assessed
Quizzes 10%, Tests 30%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2016–2026)
- A step up from second-year pharmacology. Having done PHRM20001 (and physiology or pathology) is strongly recommended.
- Short and essay-style answers are the main challenge. Link topics such as shared drug mechanisms across diseases.
- Most found it interesting and well run, with H1 achievable. In 2026 one module was criticised for weak guest teaching.
- Revise the workshops as well as the lectures, and make cards on each drug's mechanism and side effects.
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 PHRM30003
Quick answers
- When is PHRM30003 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking PHRM30003?
- Needs PHRM20001 or the subject coordinator’s permission.
- Does PHRM30003 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Quizzes 10%, Tests 30%, Final exam 60%.
- Is PHRM30003 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: A step up from second-year pharmacology. Having done PHRM20001 (and physiology or pathology) is strongly recommended.
- What do students say about PHRM30003?
- A step up from second-year pharmacology. Having done PHRM20001 (and physiology or pathology) is strongly recommended. Short and essay-style answers are the main challenge. Link topics such as shared drug mechanisms across diseases. Most found it interesting and well run, with H1 achievable. In 2026 one module was criticised for weak guest teaching.
- How many class hours a week does PHRM30003 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take PHRM30003 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.
- Can I rate PHRM30003?
- 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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