BPS1042 · Pharmaceutical science in context

Overview

This unit is designed to introduce you to the major fields of the applied sciences in which pharmaceutical scientists specialise. The relationships between the different disciplines and their distinct roles in drug discovery and medicine development will be demonstrated. Participants are introduced to the following areas as they apply to the biology, chemistry, and formulation of medicines and related products: • drug discovery biology • medicinal chemistry • formulation science You will also have the opportunity to attend specialised seminars on pharmaceutical science research.

Offerings

Assessment

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

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

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Identify and explain the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the signs and symptoms of a given disorder
2. Select a suitable therapeutic target for the treatment of a specified disorder
3. Design a research plan of experiments to test whether a drug target is suitable
4. Identify the key functional groups of current drug molecules and analyse their interactions with biological targets
5. Apply the principles of structure-based drug design in drug discovery to design novel drug molecules
6. Calculate and evaluate physicochemical characteristics of current and novel drug molecules to ascertain their drug-likeness
7. Apply the processes of lead optimization to improve the drug-likeness of designed drug molecules
8. Compare and contrast properties and characteristics of selected essential pharmaceutical forms and rationally choose a pharmaceutical form to create a medicine
9. Propose innovative approaches to delivery of drug product and explain the rationale, advantages in formulation performance and methodology involved in manufacturing
10. Select performance testing methods and justify their relevance for the overall therapeutic performance of drug product
11. Effectively present key project outcomes to a peer audience in an original format using media technology
12. Write a Press Release that efficiently communicates your scientific findings to a lay audience
13. Reflect critically on skill development by analysing feedback and evidence, identifying strengths and gaps in key skills, and setting targeted goals to guide future growth

Workload

• Twelve 1-hour applied sessions (Q&A) • Twenty-four 1-hour online modules • Six 2-hour workshops • Three 3-hour workshops • Four 2-hour applied skills sessions • Three 1-hour coaching meetings • Three 2-hour assessments

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