Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit focuses on principles and concepts of pharmaceutical chemistry and the analysis of pure drugs, formulated products and drugs in biological specimen. After a brief review of the chemical characteristics of the most important functional groups in a pharmaceutical context, it introduces students to different techniques employed in the separation (e.g. liquid–liquid extraction, TLC / HPTLC, HPLC) as well as the qualitative and quantitative analysis of pure and formulated drugs (e.g. titrimetric assays, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, IR spectroscopy, NMR and mass spectrometry). It also introduces the concept of stereochemistry and illustrates in what ways it can influence drug activity and/or toxicity. Major chemical routes of drug degradation and strategies to curtail them are discussed. In this context students are also introduced to degradation kinetics and the concept of drug shelf life. The need for quality control for drugs and drug products including complementary medicines is highlighted and the associated pharmacopoeial requirements are discussed.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Non-standard teaching period UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) predict the key chemical characteristics of the most important functional groups in a pharmaceutical context; (2) understand the theory underpinning common qualitative and quantitative drug analysis and separation techniques as they apply to pure drugs, formulated products as well as drugs in biological specimens; (3) carry out separation techniques common in the analysis of drugs and formulations; (4) competently handle a range of quantitative analyses including associated calculations; (5) appreciate the important role of stereochemistry for a large number of drug molecules and are competent in applying different stereochemical terminologies; (6) understand the major chemical routes of drug degradation as well as strategies to curtail them; (7) be familiar with degradation kinetics and the concept of drug shelf life; and (8) appreciate the need for quality control for drugs and formulated products and be familiar with the various pharmacopoeial requirements as they relate to quality control.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) laboratory assessments; (2) tests; and (3) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Connie Locher
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in51500 Master of Pharmacy (ID 123)
- Contact hours
- lectures: 24 hours
tutorials/pre-labs: 21 hours
labs: 21 hours - Texts
Cairns, D. Essentials of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 4th edn: Pharmaceutical Press 2012
Watson, D. G. Pharmaceutical Analysis, 5th edn: Elsevier 2020
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.