The Science of Medicines
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR1021 | Pharmacy | 1 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- PHAR1021
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module provides:
A foundation on the principles that underlie the processing and manufacture of solid dosage forms
An understanding of the material science and physical chemistry of pharmaceutical powders
Formulation and production of solid dosage forms (tablets and inhalation formulations)
The action and stability of drugs is influenced by the physical, chemical and biological properties of the components used in the formulation of medicines. By using tablets as an example of solid dosage forms, you will learn about the importance of crystallization and crystal forms, the stability of medicines, and the properties of powders.
Target Students
BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences and MSci Pharmaceutical Sciences with a Year in Industry (Year 1).
Assessment
- 30% Report: Submission of a portfolio based on laboratory and workshop sessions.
- 70% Exam 1 (2-hour): Written in person.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The module provides an integrated approach to develop knowledge and understanding, as well as practical and professional transferrable skills, centred on pharmaceutics -the science that addresses how fundamental physical, chemical and biological properties of medicine formulations affect their stability and the therapeutic action of drugs. The module will teach fundamental physical chemistry which underpins much of pharmaceutics, as well as being of relevance to pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacology. By using the context of solid drug formulations, you will gain an understanding on why phenomena such as crystallization and polymorphism play a significant role in the therapeutic effects of drugs, how the rate molecular degradation determines the stability of medicines, and why a powder flow is crucial for drug dose in a tablet formulation. Professional/practical skills: You will obtain an understanding of safe working in a pharmaceutical laboratory. You will gain numeracy skills relevant to pharmaceutical problems and be able to acquire and interpret analytical data qualitatively and quantitatively.Transferable skills: You will gain the skills required to write a scientific report including appropriate use of tables, graphs, and appropriate references to the literature and other resources.Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
A. Knowledge and understanding:
A2 Critically evaluate and apply chemico-physical principles underpinning the design, manufacture, analysis and performance of dosage forms
C. Professional/practical skills
C2 Undertake practical experimental work using appropriate materials, operating procedures and instruments;
C3 Undertake numerical tasks and carry out quantitative analysis relevant to pharmaceutical science;
C6 Apply and report scientific knowledge in an ethical manner.
D. Transferable/key skills
D1 Critically use information resources, including library and electronic sources;
D3 Communicate effectively in a variety of forms, including written, verbal and visual.