Units / BPS3071
BPS3071 · Nanotechnology and polymer science in drug delivery
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 3Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
You will be introduced to the principles behind the formulation of nanotechnology and polymer-based drug delivery systems, their characterisation and the way they behave in vitro and in vivo. Diverse organic nanoparticle systems, such as lipid-based formulations, micelles, liposomes, emulsions/suspensions and natural/synthetic polymeric nanoformulations as well as inorganic nanoparticle systems including silica and metal-based nanoparticles will be discussed in the context of drug delivery and diagnostics. You will learn about key tools for the physicochemical characterisation of nanoparticles, and bio-nano interactions. You will also conduct laboratory-based experiments to characterize nanotechnology and polymer-based drug delivery systems and to test your laboratory-based skills.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Parkville | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
| Malaysia | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laboratory reports, data analysis, and performance | Project | 24% | — |
| 2 | Workshop submission | Written | 18% | — |
| 3 | Student engagement and participation: Moodle quizzes or PollEv questions | Exercise | 6% | — |
| 4 | Mid-semester test | Quiz / Test | 12% | — |
| 5 | Final assessment | Examination | 40% | — |
In-semester assessment 60%; final assessment 40%
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
- Describe the principles behind the formulation of nanotechnology and polymer-based drug delivery systems;
- Appraise different types of nanoparticles with tailored physicochemical properties;
- Evaluate interactions between nanoparticles and biological entities, including proteins, cells and organisms;
- Critically assess the potential of a given drug delivery system to encapsulate and release drug molecules;
- Apply, and conduct in laboratories, the methods of characterisation of nanotech and polymer-based drug delivery systems;
- Differentiate modes of imaging nanotechnology-based therapies;
- Discuss the role of advanced formulation and nanotechnologies in modern diagnostics.
Workload
• Twelve 1-hour online preparation modules (discovery) • Twenty-four 1-hour online modules • Six 2-hour applied sessions (Q&A) • Six 2-hour workshops • Six 3-hour laboratories • One 2-hour mid-semester test
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Assessments | 2 hours |
| Workshops | 12 hours |
| Applied sessions | 12 hours |
| Laboratories | 18 hours |
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