6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Notes
This unit was previously coded as PSC3201 - Product Development II
Synopsis
The objective of this unit is to provide students with an opportunity to develop their research, teamwork and communication skills by producing scientifically sound solutions to an authentic complex pharmaceutical formulation problem. On successful completion of this unit and PSC3211 (co-requisite), students will have developed a systematic approach to experimentation that includes the creation and application of their own suite of documents and scientific templates (assignments) that are relevant in all contexts involving new product development. They will also develop the critical thinking skills necessary in the process of making professional informed decisions about the design of a scientific investigation as well as in the interpretation and communication of results that will improve their employability.
Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- Define a research strategy to find, evaluate and organise authoritative and relevant information needed to solve the problem.
- Synthesize findings, select relevant experimental factors (API, excipients and process) to be studied to solve the problem and predict their impact on tablet performance (testing).
- Master the use of Design of Experiment (DoE) statistical tool recommended by current pharmaceutical guidelines by designing and testing an automated user-friendly professional program on MS Excel.
- Design a DoE experimental protocol precise enough to be used by any technically qualified person, to investigate selected factors' effects.
- Conduct the experiments according to industry standards to produce and test tablets.
- Methodically and systematically analyze data using the DoE, critically discuss and interpret observed phenomena and relate to the initial hypotheses raised.
- Communicate scientific findings and conclusions.
- Work effectively in teams.
Assessment
In-semester assessment 100%
Workload requirements
Contact hours for on-campus students:
- Thirty two hours practicals
- Forty hours workshops
See also Unit timetable information