Course coordinator
Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 16/11/2024)
- 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 drug delivery systems that involve the active pharmaceutical ingredient being in a solid form, such as tablets and capsules, or a semi-solid form such as creams, ointments and gels. It also considers the design of devices that deliver medicines via the transdermal route, such as patches, and devices for pulmonary or buccal delivery such as inhalers, vaping devices and mouth sprays. Students then gain experience in extemporaneous compounding of solid and semi-solid medicines including creams, ointments, pastes, capsules and suppositories.
Pharmacists must understand the physicochemical basis of drug formulation and drug delivery systems to extemporaneously compounded medicines, select the appropriate dosage form to be administered (or suggest alternatives) and predict the behaviour and efficacy of pharmaceuticals. There is a strong emphasis on active learning, data analysis, and calculations throughout this course, which is divided into the four modules described below.
Module 1 Solid Dosage Forms introduces the wide range of solid dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, gums, pessaries and suppositories. You will examine powder characteristics such as particle properties and powder flow, and pharmaceutical concepts encompassing dissolution and bioavailability. Manufacturing processes along with quality assurance and quality control will be covered, and you will measure tablet properties such as uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration and dissolution. Module 1 is assessed by an online quiz and a written report.
Module 2 Semi-Solid Dosage Forms explores the physicochemical basis for designing different types of semi-solids such as creams, gels, ointments and pastes. You will consider rheological properties of pharmaceutical products and investigate these characteristics for polymer-based formulations with the aim of understanding product design, formulation and effective use. Module 2 is assessed by a video report.
Module 3 Specialised Devices considers devices designed for delivery of medicines via the transdermal route, such as patches, and devices for pulmonary or buccal delivery such as inhalers, vaping devices and mouth sprays. You will explore the mechanism by which they deliver medicines in the context of their practical applications. Module 3 is assessed by an online quiz.
Module 4 Compounding Semi-Solid and Solid Dosage Forms focuses on extemporaneous compounding, where you will gain experience preparing pharmaceutically elegant dosage forms such as capsules, suppositories, creams, ointments, and pastes. Module 4 has a compounding skills assessment at the end that is a hurdle assessment for this course.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course builds on the Chemistry and Drug Delivery & Compounding modules of PHRM1101 Pharmacy Practice and Medicines Management 1A. Hence it is recommended that students successfully complete PHRM1101 before enrolling in PHRM2202 Pharmaceutical Sciences 2B.
PHRM2201 and PHRM2202 are closely aligned in their design. There is NO requirement to study PHRM2201 before PHRM2202, and therefore some baseline information in the final module relating to the laws, guidelines and ethics of extemporaneous compounding will be covered in both courses.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PHRM2022
Restrictions
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman
Associate Professor Marie-Odile Parat
Professor Peter Cabot
Laboratory coordinator
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 the physicochemical basis of the formulation and clinical use of medicines. You will learn to explain and apply physicochemical principles to the formulation of medicines into solid and semi-solid dosage forms, and specialised devices for transdermal, pulmonary, and buccal delivery. You will also develop skills in the extemporaneous compounding of solid and semi-solid medicines including creams, ointments, pastes, capsules, and suppositories.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply physicochemical principles to the formulation of semi-solid and solid dosage forms and medicines use
LO2.
Explain the mechanism of transdermal, pulmonary, and buccal delivery through specialised devices to inform medicines use
LO3.
Collate, analyse, and interpret scientific data to inform pharmaceutical decisions
LO4.
Communicate using appropriate formats
LO5.
Perform pharmaceutical calculations relating to semi-solid and solid medicines
LO6.
Design and prepare accurate and pharmaceutically elegant extemporaneous semi-solid and solid dosage forms
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Quiz Series
|
30% |
Module 1 quiz 19/08/2024 1:00 pm Module 3 quiz 30/09/2024 1:00 pm Module 4 quiz 25/10/2024 1:00 pm
(Complete each quiz anytime in the 7 days prior to the deadline) |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Module 1 Report: Solid Dose Forms | 20% |
30/08/2024 1:00 pm |
| Presentation | Module 2 Report: Semi-Solid Dose Forms | 20% |
30/09/2024 1:00 pm |
| Examination, Practical/ Demonstration |
Compounding Skills Assessment
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
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%
- Due date
Module 1 quiz 19/08/2024 1:00 pm
Module 3 quiz 30/09/2024 1:00 pm
Module 4 quiz 25/10/2024 1:00 pm
(Complete each quiz anytime in the 7 days prior to the deadline)
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
There are three quizzes held during semester, named the 'Module 1 quiz', 'Module 3 quiz' and 'Module 4 quiz'. Each quiz contributes 10% of the overall course grade.
Module 1 quiz and Module 3 quiz:
- ONE attempt is permitted.
- The quiz questions may cover any of the content included within Module 1 (solid dose forms) or Module 3 (devices).
- The quiz duration is 30 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 40 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.
Module 4 quiz:
- THREE attempts are permitted, with the best mark counting towards the course grade.
- The quiz involves calculations that relate to compounding semi-solid and solid 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.
General information relating to all quizzes:
- The format may be a mixture of question types, for example: 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.
Module 1 Report: Solid Dose Forms
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/08/2024 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The Module 1 report involves summarising and interpreting the results of the Module 1 practical.
A variety of commercial paracetamol solid oral dose formulations will be compared in the laboratory. You will use the data collected, and the theory covered through online learning and workshops in Module 1, to answer the following questions:
- Explain whether the dose forms pass the British Pharmacopeia tests for identification, uniformity of weight, friability, disintegration and dissolution
- Compare the hardness of the tablet formulations
- Compare the dissolution rate of the products and explain whether the results support the claims on the packaging and manufacturer websites
- Reflect on the results of this study, and anything else that you know about these paracetamol solid oral dosage forms (e.g. size, shape, price) to explain your personal selection of a paracetamol product for your own use.
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, except for UQ Extend.
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 the assessment will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference 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 practical manual and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submission: Submit a Word file electronically via Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
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 this assessment 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.
Module 2 Report: Semi-Solid Dose Forms
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/09/2024 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This practical will investigate gel formation and rheology. Using the data that you collect during the practical, and the theory covered through online learning and workshops, you will prepare a report and answer some questions.
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. Notice that marks are allocated for demonstrating understanding of the subject matter/concepts, as well as the quality of the verbal explanations and contents of the slides. Try to avoid reading verbatim from a script.
- The marking criteria includes marks for time management. You will be penalised for going overtime. The maximum time limit for your presentation is exactly 8:00 minutes. The time penalty for being overtime is 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, except for UQ Extend.
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 the assessment will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference 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 written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Please refer to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for the practical manual 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
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
School-based practical examination
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, 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
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) - page tags are allowed
- Pens: all answers must be written in pen, not pencil. 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 or UQ approved , labelled calculator only |
| 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) pass the compounding skills assessment (i.e. obtain marks equivalent to 50% or greater) and (b) obtain 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.
Own copy required
You'll need to have your own copy of the following reading resources. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Book |
Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook
Publisher: Pharmaceutical Association of Australia |
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 4 |
Workshop |
Module 1 - solid dose forms workshops Solid dosage forms. Workshops will cover: W1) intro to solid dosage forms, W2) Particles, powders and tablet formulation, W3) Drug dissolution from solid dosage forms, W4) Quality assessment of solid dosage forms. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Practical |
Module 1 - solid dose forms practical Three-hour practical in the laboratories at UQ Dutton Park campus. Working in a team, you will apply pharmaceutical tests to assess tablet quality. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 7 |
Workshop |
Module 2 - semi-solid dose forms workshops Semi-solid dosage forms. Workshops will cover: W6) semi-solid dosage forms, W7) rheology. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 7 To Week 8 |
Practical |
Module 2 - semi-solid dose forms practical Three-hour practical in the laboratories at UQ Dutton Park campus. Working in a team, you will conduct experiments to investigate gel formation and viscosity. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 8 To Week 9 |
Workshop |
Module 3 - devices workshops Devices. Workshops will cover: W8) Devices for transdermal delivery, W9) Devices for delivery to the mouth and lung. Learning outcomes: L02 |
Multiple weeks From Week 10 To Week 13 |
Workshop |
Module 4 - compounding workshops Compounding semi-solid and solid dose forms. Workshops will cover 10) semi-solid dose forms - creams, 11) semi-solid dose forms - ointments and pastes, 12) solid dose forms - primarily suppositories and capsules, 13) review of practice compounding exam papers. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05, L06 |
Practical |
Module 4 - compounding practicals Every week in Module 3 contains a 3-hour compounding practical. In weeks 10, 11 and 12 you will learn how to prepare and dispense creams, ointments and pastes, suppositories and capsules. In week 13 the practical will be a mock compounding skills assessment that will help you prepare for the final exam. Learning outcomes: L01, 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:
- Laboratory Occupational Health and Safety
- Incidental Student Fees and Charges