Course coordinator
Dr Ben Ross
Course overview
- Study period
- Summer Semester, 2024 (25/11/2024 - 25/01/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy School
This pharmaceutical science course explores the fascinating topics of drug design, drug analysis, drug delivery and compounding medicines. It starts by considering how medicinal chemistry is used to design effective small molecule and biological drugs, and how analytical chemistry is employed to measure the amount of drug in a sample. Subsequently it covers the application of physicochemical principles to the design, formulation, and effective use of liquid dosage forms for medicines. Students then gain experience in extemporaneous compounding of liquid medicines, including solutions, suspensions, and emulsions.
In this pharmaceutical sciences course, you will delve into the fascinating topics of drug analysis, drug design, drug delivery, and compounding medicines. The course will contribute to your formation as a pharmacist who understands at a molecular level the physicochemical basis of the discovery, development, and clinical use of medicines. You will learn to apply physicochemical principles to drug design, the formulation of liquid dosage forms, and medicines use. You will also develop skills in the extemporaneous compounding of liquid medicines, including solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. There is a strong emphasis on active learning, data analysis, and calculations throughout this course, which is divided into the two modules described below.
Module 1 Drug Design and Analysis starts with analytical techniques for measuring the amount of drug in a sample, including assays, spectroscopy, and chromatography. These techniques are an essential part of drug development and medicines management, with applications ranging from pre-clinical drug discovery through manufacturing and extemporaneous compounding of medicines, to therapeutic drug monitoring in the clinic. Medicinal chemistry will then be covered, which involves understanding how drugs work at a molecular level and applying that knowledge to the development of new medicines. You will discover how the chemical structure of a drug affects its biological activity and other properties, and learn about design strategies for optimising the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs. Module 1 culminates in learning about an emerging class of medicines called biologics, which are made by or derived from a biological source. You will study the various classes of biologics and compare their properties to conventional small molecule drugs.
Module 2 Liquid Dosage Form Design and Compounding covers the physicochemical basis of designing dosage forms for drugs, as well as extemporaneous compounding, focussing on liquids such as solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. You will start by learning about how a drug’s chemical structure and its environment affects drug solubility. Then you will discover the impact of buffers, cosolvents and complexes on drug solubility, and their role in dosage form design, especially for solutions in which the drug is completely dissolved forming a single liquid phase. Later you will learn about dispersions, which are two-phase systems containing either solid particles of drug suspended in a liquid (a suspension), or containing the drug dissolved in droplets of liquid suspended in a second immiscible liquid (an emulsion). Later parts of Module 2 consider the rates and mechanisms of drug degradation, such as hydrolysis, oxidation, and photochemical decomposition, with the aim of understanding how to formulate and store medicines to minimise the rate of drug degradation, thus maximising their shelf-life. In the final part of Module 2 youﾠwill gain experienceﾠin extemporaneous compoundingﾠbyﾠpreparing pharmaceutically elegant liquid dosage forms such as solutions, suspensions, and emulsions.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course builds on the Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Drug Delivery & Compounding modules of PHRM1101 Pharmacy Practice and Medicines Management 1A.ﾠ Hence it is recommendedﾠthat students successfully complete PHRM1101 before enrolling in PHRM2201 Pharmaceutical Sciences 2A.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHRM1101
Restrictions
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Ben Ross
Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman
Demonstrator
Dr Ben Ross
Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman
Laboratory coordinator
Dr Gina Quach
Ms Sue Therkelsen
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course will contribute to your formation as a pharmacist who understands at a molecular level the physicochemical basis of the discovery, development, and clinical use of medicines. You will learn to apply physicochemical principles to drug design, the formulation of liquid dosage forms, and medicines use. You will also develop skills in the extemporaneous compounding of liquid medicines, including solutions, suspensions, and emulsions.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply foundational knowledge in drug physiochemical properties to drug design and medicines use
LO2.
Apply physiochemical principles to the formulation of liquid dosage forms and medicines use
LO3.
Collate, analyse, and interpret pharmaceutical science data to inform decisions
LO4.
Communicate using appropriate formats
LO5.
Perform pharmaceutical calculations relating to liquid medicines
LO6.
Design and prepare accurate and pharmaceutically elegant extemporaneous liquid dosage forms
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Quiz Series
|
30% (3 quizzes weighted 10% each) |
Drug Design & Analysis Quiz 19/12/2024 5:00 pm Pharmaceutical Calculations Quiz 16/01/2025 5:00 pm Liquid Dosage Form Design Quiz 23/01/2025 5:00 pm |
| Presentation | Biological & Small Molecule Drugs Video Report | 20% |
9/01/2025 5:00 pm |
| Presentation | Drug Analysis, Stability, & Dispersions Video Report | 20% |
24/01/2025 5:00 pm |
| Examination, Practical/ Demonstration |
Compounding Skills Assessment
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 1/02/2025 - 8/02/2025
School-based practical examination |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Online Quiz Series
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30% (3 quizzes weighted 10% each)
- Due date
Drug Design & Analysis Quiz 19/12/2024 5:00 pm
Pharmaceutical Calculations Quiz 16/01/2025 5:00 pm
Liquid Dosage Form Design Quiz 23/01/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
There are three quizzes held during semester, named the 'Drug Design & Analysis Quiz', 'Pharmaceutical Calculations Quiz' and 'Liquid Dosage Form Design Quiz'. Each quiz contributes 10% of the overall course grade.
Drug Design & Analysis Quiz:
- ONE attempt is permitted between 13/12/2024 1:00 pm and 19/12/2024 5:00 pm.
- The quiz questions may cover the following content included within Module 1 Weeks 1 to 3: Drug Analysis; and Drug Design to Optimise PK/PD.
- The quiz duration is 50 minutes. An additional 10 mins is provided as a buffer for any issues that might arise during your quiz.
- The quiz timer is set to 60 minutes, after which your answers will be saved and submitted automatically (unless you submit them sooner manually). The timer will continue to run if you exit the quiz.
Pharmaceutical Calculations Quiz:
- THREE attempts are permitted between 20/12/2024 1:00 pm and 16/01/2025 5:00 pm, with the best mark counting towards the course grade.
- The quiz involves calculations that relate to compounding liquid dosage forms.
- The quiz duration is 50 minutes. An additional 10 mins is provided as a buffer for any issues that might arise during your quiz.
- The quiz timer is set to 60 minutes, after which your answers will be saved and submitted automatically (unless you submit them sooner manually). The timer will continue to run if you exit the quiz.
Liquid Dosage Form Design Quiz:
- ONE attempt is permitted between 17/01/2025 1:00 pm and 23/01/2025 5:00 pm.
- The quiz questions may cover the following content included within Module 2 Weeks 5 to 7: Solutions; Buffers, Cosolvents, and Complexation; and Dispersions.
- The quiz duration is 50 minutes. An additional 10 mins is provided as a buffer for any issues that might arise during your quiz.
- The quiz timer is set to 60 minutes, after which your answers will be saved and submitted automatically (unless you submit them sooner manually). The timer will continue to run if you exit the quiz.
General information relating to all quizzes:
- The format may be a mixture of question types, for example: calculation, multiple choice, multiple answer, matching, ordering, fill in the blank/s, jumbled sentence/s, either/or (e.g. true/false), short answer, and short essay style questions.
- Questions may be provided randomly from a pool; therefore, each student may receive a different but equivalent quiz.
- The quiz will be marked electronically, correct answers will be awarded the marks indicated beside the question, incorrect answers will be awarded zero.
- This is an individual assessment that you are required to undertake without any form of communication with other students.
- As an online quiz undertaken in the venue of your choice, the quiz is open book.
- This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) technologies, successful completion of this assessment task will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI will provide only limited support and guidance.
Submission guidelines
Submission: The quiz will be completed electronically in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Biological & Small Molecule Drugs Video Report
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
9/01/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
The Biological & Small Molecule Drugs Video Report covers the Module 1 topics: Drug Design to Optimise PK/PD; and Design of Biological Drugs. It involves completing a series of tasks about biological and small molecule drugs, focussing on three specific drugs for dyslipidaemia.
The report will be in the form of a pre-recorded video presentation.
- Your camera must be turned on and your face visible during the entire presentation video. Any presentation that does not comply can achieve a maximum of 50% of marks.
- Pay attention to the marking criteria. Marks will be awarded for demonstrating a strong understanding of the subject matter and concepts. This includes providing clear, detailed, and well-organized explanations. To showcase your understanding authentically, aim to speak naturally and avoid reading directly from a script. Instead, focus on engaging with your audience and explaining the topic in your own words.
- The marking criteria includes marks for time management. You will be penalised for going overtime. The maximum time limit for your presentation is exactly 6:00 minutes. The penalties for being overtime are: ≤ 15 seconds overtime – no penalty; > 15 seconds overtime – 100% loss of timing marks. There is no minimum time limit.
If you use any references, include a list using the author-date referencing system, specifically the APA 7th referencing style from the American Psychological Association. The UQ Library has a style guide to help students adhere to the APA 7th conventions. Cite all references that you use, including UQ Extend.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Please refer to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for the video report instructions and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submission: A video file will be submitted electronically via the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for this course.
Resubmission: Students who have submitted this assessment on time but have not achieved a pass (i.e. obtain less than 50% of available marks) will be offered one opportunity to resubmit; the maximum grade that can be achieved for the resubmission will be a pass (50% of available marks). No extension is available on the due date for a resubmission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Drug Analysis, Stability, & Dispersions Video Report
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
24/01/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The Drug Analysis, Stability, & Dispersions Video Report involves completing a series of tasks covering the Module 1 topic: Drug Analysis; and the Module 2 topics: Dispersions and Drug Stability. In the first part of the report, you reflect on the outcomes of the practical class involving the assay of content of paracetamol tablets. Later, you reflect on the outcomes of the practical class involving compounding aspirin suspension and measuring dose uniformity. Finally, you will discuss the stability of aspirin and other drugs in liquid dosage forms.
The report will be in the form of a pre-recorded video presentation.
- Your camera must be turned on and your face visible during the entire presentation video. Any presentation that does not comply can achieve a maximum of 50% of marks.
- Pay attention to the marking criteria. Marks will be awarded for demonstrating a strong understanding of the subject matter and concepts. This includes providing clear, detailed, and well-organized explanations. To showcase your understanding authentically, aim to speak naturally and avoid reading directly from a script. Instead, focus on engaging with your audience and explaining the topic in your own words.
- The marking criteria includes marks for time management. You will be penalised for going overtime. The maximum time limit for your presentation is exactly 6:00 minutes. The penalties for being overtime are: ≤ 15 seconds overtime – no penalty; > 15 seconds overtime – 100% loss of timing marks. There is no minimum time limit.
If you use any references, include a list using the author-date referencing system, specifically the APA 7th referencing style from the American Psychological Association. The UQ Library has a style guide to help students adhere to the APA 7th conventions. Cite all references that you use, including UQ Extend.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Please refer to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for the video report instructions and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submission: A video file will be submitted electronically via the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for this course.
Resubmission: Students who have submitted this assessment on time but have not achieved a pass (i.e. obtain less than 50% of available marks) will be offered one opportunity to resubmit; the maximum grade that can be achieved for the resubmission will be a pass (50% of available marks). No extension is available on the due date for a resubmission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Compounding Skills Assessment
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Examination, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
1/02/2025 - 8/02/2025
School-based practical examination
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
This assessment task is to be completed in-person.
Items that may be brought into the examination:
- Your Student ID.
- Laboratory coat, closed-in shoes and safety glasses are mandatory
- Calculators must be Casio FX82 series or UQ approved (labelled)
- Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) - page tags are allowed, but annotations are not permitted
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) - page tags are allowed, but annotations are not permitted
- Pens: all answers must be written in indelible pen, not pencil and not erasable pen. Mistakes must be neatly crossed through, do not use whiteout.
Items that may NOT be brought into the examination:
- any other items, including any electronic devices.
Materials that will be supplied:
- Part A: all ingredients and equipment required for the product that you will prepare and dispense, the prescription details, a compounding worksheet; one copy of the current edition of the APF per laboratory; one computer per laboratory with access to the AMH online.
- Part B: the question sheet and any relevant chemical information or formulae
Instructions:
You will have 2 hours to complete both Parts A and B. You must complete and submit Part A before starting Part B.
Part A is worth 50% of the available marks. In Part A you will work independently to prepare and dispense one assigned prescription. You will complete appropriate calculations, prepare the product, fill out compounding worksheet, and label the product.
- Complete the compounding worksheet as you go. Ingredient weights and volumes entered into the compounding worksheet MUST match the value on the balance or in the measuring cylinder and MUST be checked by an invigilator. Raise your hand when you need an invigilator to check and sign against your entries.
- Prepare a suitable label and apply it to the product.
- When you consider your product is appropriate to be dispensed to a patient, submit the labelled product and compounding worksheet for assessment.
Part B is worth 50% of the available marks. In Part B you will complete calculations and answer questions regarding the compounded product and other concepts covered in the course.
Hurdle requirements
To pass this course you must pass the Compounding Skills Assessment (i.e. obtain marks equivalent to 50% or greater).Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Submission: The product, compounding worksheet and answers to the questions will be submitted during the examination.
Resubmission: Students who fail Part A will be offered one opportunity to correct and resubmit Part A. Feedback on the number of issues causing the product to fail will be provided, but not the identity of those issues. Students will be allowed an additional 30 minutes immediately following the completion of the exam in which to make any changes and resubmit. The maximum mark that can be achieved for the resubmission will be 50% of marks for Part A.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
To pass this course, students must: (a)ﾠpass theﾠCompounding Skills Assessmentﾠ(i.e. obtain marks equivalent toﾠ50% or greater); and (b)ﾠobtain weighted aggregate marks equivalent to 50% or greater.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory coat | For your health and safety, you will not be allowed to enter the laboratory without this item. | own item needed |
| Safety glasses | For your health and safety, you will not be allowed to enter the laboratory without this item. | own item needed |
| Calculator | Casio FX82 series or UQ approved (labelled) calculator only | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
Zoom: Access to Zoom via your UQ student account will be required for certain synchronous online classes each week (workshops). Your timetable will outline which classes will be conducted online or on-campus.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Not Timetabled |
UQ Extend Online Learning The content for this course is delivered via UQ Extend. Each week you should work through the active online learning on UQ Extend. You will get the most out of the weekly workshops if you have viewed the content on UQ Extend before attending the workshop. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 3 |
Workshop |
Module 1 - Drug Design & Analysis Workshops Drug design & analysis. Workshops will cover: W1) Drug analysis; W2) Drug Design; W3) Drug design & analysis. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (02 Dec - 08 Dec) |
Practical |
Module 1 - Drug Analysis Practical Three-hour practical in the laboratories at UQ Dutton Park campus. Working in a team, you will test paracetamol tablets to estimate their content of paracetamol using the Assay of Content test from the British Pharmacopoeia (BP). Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Practical |
Module 2 - Dispersions Practical Three-hour practical in the laboratories at UQ Dutton Park campus. Working in a team, you will consider how important is it to shake the bottle of a dispersion formulation. Specifically, you will prepare aspirin suspension then investigate the variation in dose that a patient would receive when taking your product. You will evaluate your aspirin suspension using the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) test for content uniformity of liquid dosage forms. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 8 |
Workshop |
Module 2 - Liquid Dosage Form Design & Compounding Workshops Liquid dosage form design & compounding. Workshops will cover: W4) Pharmaceutical calculations; W6) Solutions, buffers, cosolvents, complexation; W7) a) Compounding solutions; b) Compounding topical liquids; c) Liquid dosage form design; W8) a) Compounding suspensions & emulsions; b) Compounding skills assessment. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 7 To Week 8 |
Practical |
Module 2 - Compounding Practicals Three-hour practicals in the laboratories at UQ Dutton Park campus. Working individually, you will practice extemporaneous compounding by compounding and dispensing various liquid dosage forms: W7) a) Compounding solutions; b) Compounding topical liquids; W8 a) Compounding suspensions & emulsions; b) Mock compounding skills assessment that will help you prepare for the final exam. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: