Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit is designed to provide knowledge relating to the physical and chemical properties of the components of pharmaceutical formulations. The formulation of drugs has a large influence on the route of administration, the onset and duration of action and the pharmacokinetic parameters that govern the drugs activity in the human body. This course will introduce you to the basic concepts and theories of pharmaceutical formulation and compounding with a focus on liquid and semi-solid dosage forms.

Aims

The aims of this unit are:

1. Introduce the physico-chemical properties of drugs and excipients and their influence on pharmaceutical formulations.
2. Provide information on the stability of drugs in pharmaceutical formulations.
3. Describe the properties of liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical formulations and their therapeutic applications.
4. Provide a sound practical introduction in the preparation of liquid and semi-solid formulations.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the physico-chemical properties of drugs and excipients.
2. Understand the stability the active drug in liquid dosage forms.
3. Competently discuss factors that influence the behaviour of liquid formulations such as surface tension, viscosity, solubilisation, sedimentation, flocculation and detergency.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the behaviour and preparation of dispersion systems such as emulsions, suspensions and colloidal solutions.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the process involved in formulating and manufacturing of parenteral products.

Content

Physical Pharmacy: Physical properties of drug and excipients (solubility and solubility behaviour), solutions of electrolytes and non-electrolytes; interfacial phenomena, viscosity and flow of liquids, theory of extraction, recovery of solvents; theory of filtration, filter media etc.

Drug Delivery Systems: Different routes of drug delivery; Theory of a range of drug delivery systems including solutions, parenteral solutions, transdermal, ophthalmic and suppositories.

Liquid and semi-solid Pharmaceutical Formulations: Theory of colloids and colloidal preparations. Theory of buffered solutions, isotonicity, adjustment of isotonicity and pH, Henderson-Hasselbach equation, diffusion and Fick's law, dispersed system i.e., emulsions and suspensions (formulations and stability studies), sedimentation, flocculation & de-floculation, surfactants, detergents and wetting agents. Colouring and flavouring agents.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The teaching content of this unit will be presented as lectures (2 hours/week). A mixture of tutorial and practical sessions (3 hours/week) will provide a forum to perform problem solving exercises and an emphasis on the practical aspects of pharmaceutics and compounding.

Assessment

Successful completion of the unit requires that you must obtain above 50% marks in each component of the assessment item in order to achieve a pass grade (i.e., 4-7) in this unit.

In addition to submitting hard copies of your assessment you may be required to electronically submit all written assignments for content matching checks.Students will receive feedback on formative assessment including their mid-semester exam and portfolio items.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: End of semester theory exam: This is a closed book written exam comprising of materials presented in lectures/tutorials/workshops during the whole semester. This will be a combination of multiple choice, relevant calculations and short answer questions. Summative.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: This is a closed book mid semester progress exam comprising of materials presented in lectures/tutorials/workshops during the first six weeks. This will be a combination of multiple choice, relevant calculations and short answer questions. Summative.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Submission of scientific reports on practical experiments (25%) and practical demonstration (15%). Formative and summative. The attendance of all practical sessions is compulsory unless the student has provided a medical certificate or other appropriate documentation which is approved by the Unit Coordinator. Demonstration of pharmaceutical competenices including the measurement of physicochemical characteristics of drug formulations and associated calculations.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 2-13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required text:

1. Sinko PJ (2011) Martin's Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6th edition, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Recommended texts/further readings:

1. Aulton ME (2007) Aulton's Pharmaceutics: The Design and Manufacture of Medicines, 3rd edition, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone

2. Allen LV, Popovich NG & Ansel HC, Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 8th edition, Baltimore: Lippincott-Williams and Wilkins

3. Remington (2005) The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st edition, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Risk assessment statement

You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you.

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. All students are required to complete an online health and safety quiz prior to entry to the laboratory. A passing score of 9/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory. You may resit the quiz until this score is achieved. More information on health and safety can be obtained from http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/healthsafe/index.jsp

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the unit coordinator, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Feb-2013