BPS1031 · Physical chemistry 1: Equilibria and change

Overview

This unit provides a basic understanding of physical chemistry and together with Physical Chemistry II (BPS1032) provides the conceptual and intellectual foundation for further studies in pharmaceutical science units in 2nd and 3rd year. You will develop an: (1) Understanding of the physicochemical principles that underpin pharmaceutical chemistry, drug design and formulation design; (2) Ability to undertake calculations concerning the physicochemical properties of pharmaceuticals and aspects of pharmaceutical products; (3) Ability to measure some fundamental properties of pharmaceutical materials through laboratory exercises.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

In-semester assessment 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Define acidity and basicity constants in the context of species in solution, apply the principles of buffering and acid-base titrations, calculate pH of aqueous solutions, and predict drug characteristics (absorption behaviour and solubility) based on their acid/base properties.
2. Define and calculate thermodynamic properties, explain laws of thermodynamics and concepts of state functions, and relate thermodynamic concepts to the design and function of pharmaceutical products.
3. Explain the concepts of phase equilibria, sketch and interpret phase equilibria diagrams, estimate physicochemical properties based on phase equilibria diagrams, and relate these parameters to properties of pharmaceutical products.
4. Describe kinetics terminology, explain kinetic theories, construct rate laws based on experimental data, manipulate integrated rate laws to calculate concentration, relate reaction rates to temperature, and predict stability of pharmaceutical products in temporal terms.
5. Conduct mathematical calculations involving manipulation of logarithmic and exponential functions, regression and correlation, and integration of simple algebraic functions.
6. Practice basic laboratory techniques, and relate experimental results to theoretical concepts.
7. Work effectively in a group to solve problems, present group-workshopped solutions, and manage the group to complete the task (communicating and coordinating group efforts).
8. Solve problems in a meaningful, systematic, and structured manner

Workload

• Ten 1-hour online preparation modules (Discovery) • Twenty 1-hour interactive lectures (online) • Twelve 1-hour Q&A / FAQ sessions • Five 2-hour laboratories • Six 2-hour workshops • Four 3-hour problem-solving quizzes

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.