PHA-10036 - Module Specification
School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the basic core concepts of physical chemistry that underpin the design, formulation and manufacture of pharmaceutical and related dosage forms. The physicochemical sciences related to dosage form design will then be placed in the context of biopharmaceutical development and selection of the appropriate route of administration, based on chemical and clinical needs, so those studying the module can understand the linkages between diverse subjects in the chemical and biological sciences, and how they are integrated to create the applied science of pharmaceutics.

This module aims to act as an introduction to the underlying physical sciences that underpin successful formulation design and evaluation. It will focus on the physical chemistry that underpins formulation science and development, the links between biological systems and dosage forms and how key physicochemical characteristics of dosage forms facilitate drug delivery.

Intended Learning Outcomes

outline the biopharmaceutical process of drug design and development from identification of target to formulation;: 1,2
describe the basic aspects of formulation science related to drug distribution and drug action that are important in drug design and development and related fields, including thermodynamics and kinetics, and why a variety of dosage forms is necessary and the relative merits and demerits of the available forms;: 1,2
describe how the physicochemical properties of molecules affect their formulation into medicines and the route of administration to patients;: 2
recognise and apply appropriately the health and safety practices and policies required for a wide range of pharmaceutical science laboratory classes, including appropriate documentation;: 1
acquire data from experiments, analyse and manipulate it using appropriate techniques, and apply methods for the presentation of data, including statistical analysis and choosing an appropriate method of presentation;: 1
demonstrate and apply the appropriate levels of numeracy and IT skills requisite for further study in pharmaceutical science at all levels to perform common scientific calculations with precision and accuracy;: 1,2
communicate complex concepts effectively, both orally and in writing in a manner, that reflects professional practice.: 1,2

Study hours

Independent learning hours:
Overview of the pharmaceutical industry (5 hours)
Biopharmaceutics and routes of administration (10 hours)
Essentials in physical chemistry related to dosage forms: solution chemistry (15 hours), interfacial phenomena and colloid science (15 hours), principles of dosage form selection (15 hours), dissolution (15 hours), drug release (10 hours), drug and formulation stability (15 hours)
Lectures, workshops and tutorials 41 hours. The intention is to deliver sessions in situ but they can be adjusted for online learning as required.
Laboratory sessions 9 hours. Laboratory sessions are due to be held in the CSL facility but can be moved to online sessions if required - these will be sessions that focus on the interpretation and understanding of laboratory data, as appropriate.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment