Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to introduce the students to the fields of applied science in which pharmaceutical scientists specialize. The unit introduces pharmaceutical biology, medicinal chemistry and formulation science.

Participants are introduced to the following areas as they apply to pharmaceutical science:

1. Medicinal chemistry;
2. Pharmaceutical Biology;
3. Poisons and Hazardous Substances;
4. Formulation Science;

Objectives

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Describe how drugs have been discovered in the past and how molecular biological methods have revolutionized the science of drug discovery
2. Understand how molecular, cellular, tissue and in vivo biological assays each play a role in drug discovery
3. Understand the principles involved in chemical synthesis of drugs
4. Appreciate the principles of chemical structure-based drug design
5. Understand the processes of lead optimization
6. Understand the requirements for formulating products
7. Understand the fundamentals of formulating different types of product including; suspensions, emulsions, semi-solids and compacts
8. Understand how poisons and dangerous substances are controlled by legislation

Assessment

Final exam (3 hour): 70%; written quizzes: 10%; written report: 10%; oral presentation: 10%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr David Morton

Contact hours

36 lectures, 9 hours of tutorials and 9 hours practical work. Successful completion of this unit will require participants to allocate an average of 1.5 hour per week for 12 weeks additional study time (a total of 72 hours per study period).

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://muso.monash.edu.au/webct/entryPage.dowebct