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Unit of study_

PHAR2823: Physical Pharmaceutics and Formulation B

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study builds on the material presented in Physical Pharmaceutics and Formulation A. The topics covered in this unit include: solid dose forms and particle science; dispersion dose forms including suspensions, colloidal dispersions, and emulsions; inhalation pharmaceutical aerosols; protein and peptide drugs and formulations; rectal products and novel drug delivery technologies; and techniques to characterise/test pharmaceutical formulation. Aspects pertaining to the stability of dose forms are also presented in this unit. Practical activities relate to the preparation, quality control and quality assurance of a marketed solid (tablet) dosage form.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHAR2823
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
(CHEM1611 or CHEM11X1 or CHEM19X1 or CHEM1903 or CHEM1612 or CHEM11X2 or CHEM19X2 or CHEM1904) and PHAR1812 and PHAR1822
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Wojciech Chrzanowski, wojciech.chrzanowski@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s) Lifeng Kang, lifeng.kang@sydney.edu.au
Hien Duong, hien.duong@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Wojciech Chrzanowski, wojciech.chrzanowski@sydney.edu.au
Philip Kwok, philip.kwok@sydney.edu.au
Kim Chan, kim.chan@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Thanh Phan, thanh.phan@sydney.edu.au
Shiva Divakarla, kamini.divakarla@sydney.edu.au
Qingyu Lei, qingyu.lei@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Final examination
MCQ and short answer exam.
50% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Practical 1b
Laboratory report submitted at the end of the second class.
25% Multiple weeks Max 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Laboratory pre-work quiz - Practical 1a
MCQ
3% Multiple weeks 5 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Practical
Participation
2% Ongoing 4 h per session
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Online task Lecture quiz 1
Lecture quiz containing 3 x MCQ + 1 SAQ
5% Week 03
Due date: 19 Aug 2022 at 17:00
15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Lecture quiz 2
Lecture quiz containing 3 MCQs + 1SAQ
5% Week 06
Due date: 09 Sep 2022 at 17:00
15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Mid-semester quiz
MCQ
5% Week 08
Due date: 23 Sep 2022 at 12:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Lecture quiz 3
Lecture quiz containing 3 MCQs + 1 SAQ
5% Week 10
Due date: 14 Oct 2022 at 17:00
15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Laboratory practicals: The practical exercises will be performed in small groups during the scheduled practical sessions. The objective of the practical exercises is to assess individual’s and group’s abilities to understand the underlying principles of the course through experimental investigation and critical analysis.  
  • Laboratory report: A group written laboratory report will consist of an analysis the data obtained in the practical sessions. Peer assessment (relative performance factor) will be applied to moderate the groupwork marks. Students will take part in a formative peer assessment conducted in week (2-11, depending on the laboratory group). Peer assessment will be completed online to obtain a factor between 0-1 and will be according to an agreed set of criteria established by groups in session 1.
  • Mid-semester quiz: The mid semester quiz will consist of multiple choice questions.
  • Online quizzes: The online quizzes will consist of three separate online quizzes that consist of three multiple-choice questions and 1 short answer question.
  • Final examination: The final examination will consist of multiple choice questions and short answer questions.  Students must obtain a grade of ‘Pass’ in this assessment to satisfy the requirements for this unit of study. If this assessment is not passed, the maximum final grade possible to obtain will be 45 F, regardless of the total raw mark obtained for the unit of study.
  • Supplementary Yr assessments: Students may be offered re-assessment of compulsory-to-pass assessments as described in the relevant year rule  in the RE1 or RE2 formal exam periods.  For more information see canvas. 
  • Repeating students: Exemption from components (tutorials, workshops etc) for students repeating PHAR2823 will not be granted.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts. 

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts. 

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts. 

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Non submission of peer assessment will result in a factor of zero (0) being applied to the non-submitter’s groupwork mark.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Characterisation of particulate systems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Solid oral dosage forms: tablets Lecture and tutorial (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Capsule technology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Introduction to the stability of pharmaceutical dose forms Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Solids advanced Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Inhalation aerosols Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Protein formulations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Solids - Aerosols Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO5
Manufacturing, characterization and quality control of tablet Science laboratory (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Independent Study Independent study (82 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: In accordance with the Bachelor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Pharmacy Management Course resolutions on Attendance Requirements, students must attend a minimum of 85% tutorials/ labs/ workshops (all lab classes) to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study. For more information see: 

https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/medicine_health/coursework/pharmacy_rules.shtml 

If a tutorial/ lab/workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation and if approved may recieve an alternative assessment. 

Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorial/ lab/ workshop will be marked as absent. Students swapping a class without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as absent.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List, available on Canvas.

  • Aulton M.E. Pharmaceutics: The Science of Dosage Form Design (7th edn) Churchill Livingston

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand principles involved in the formulation of medicaments that are composed of materials in the solid state
  • LO2. understand the physicochemical principles that underlie materials in the solid form
  • LO3. calculate the amounts of ingredients required in a formulation
  • LO4. discuss the manufacturing procedures and quality control procedures for these products
  • LO5. understand the design and formulation of novel drug delivery systems.
  • LO6. design methodology for quality control of pharmaceutical products.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Exam review sessions. Integration of the post-laboratory quiz with the report.

Work, health and safety

While working within the laboratory, all students must wear a clean white lab coat and wear shoes which completely cover the feet (no sandals or thongs are permitted).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.