PM1PY3-Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Science

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM1PY1 Professional Practice 1 and PM1PY2 Fundamentals of Cell Biology and PM1PY4 Introduction to Medicines Design and PM1PY5 Introduction to Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr John Brazier
Email: j.a.brazier@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to the chemical and pharmaceutical science concepts that underpin the design of medicines; how medicines are sourced, developed and manufactured, and how the quality of these medicines is assured, as part of ensuring patient safety. This includes an introduction to natural and synthetic products, and structural and synthetic chemistry for organic and inorganic drug discovery. Students will also gain basic practical skills in numeracy.

Aims:

To introduce students to the fundamental concepts of science that underpin the discovery, design, development and delivery of drugs. The module will develop students’ understanding of where drugs come from, their development in terms of molecular structure, and the importance of quality and safety in these processes.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module the student will be expected to:

1. Explain the basic science fundamentals of molecular structure and reactivity.


2. Describe the need, and fundamental science, for analysis in quality control and diagnostic testing.


3. Outline the structure, binding and reactivity of drug molecules.


4. Describe and use basic analytical techniques integral to the quantitative and qualitative analysis of medicinal products.


5. Write and follow standard operating procedures and identify sources of error in practical situations.

Additional outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Demonstrate their independent learning skills.


• Develop their problem-solving and numeracy skills.


• Apply health and safety rules to manage risk.

Outline content:

This module introduces basic pharmaceutical science concepts and general principles required by pharmacists to understand drug design and development. The module will outline the fundamental concepts of chemistry, and pharmaceutical analysis. These are crucial for understanding drug delivery to patients and links with the Spring semester module Introduction to Medicines Design. An appropriate range of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and guided individual study will be used to achieve the learning outcomes and also integrate with those of the other Part 1 modules, helping to contextualise relevance to the practice of pharmacy.

Specific topics covered will include stereochemistry, functional groups, diversity of molecular structures, fundamental chemical analysis including in relation to diagnostics, numeracy, health and safety, and working to standard operating procedures.

Global context:

This module will develop core knowledge and show how the core science knowledge learnt is relevant to the role of a pharmacist. The student will need to develop independent learning skills within this module to progress into Part 2 but should then be suitably equipped to tackle the rigour of an MPharm degree. The topics covered here will link into all modules of Part 2.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, directed private study, self-directed learning, as well as practical-based laboratory classes. Some of the lectures or tutorials will utilise a team-based learning-like approach: activities will adopt characteristics of workshops where students will engage in formative activities e.g., in-class discussion. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided to enable students to improve their own learning skills.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	25
Seminars	10		4
Tutorials	4	2
Practicals classes and workshops	13
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	40
Wider reading (directed)	25
Preparation for tutorials	8	8
Completion of formative assessment tasks	5
Revision and preparation			46
Reflection	10
Total hours by term	140	10	50
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Report	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

In the summer exam period:

1. Written examination (70% of module) - 2 hrs

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Practical class report (30% of module)

Formative assessment methods:

Formative assessment is largely based on diagnostic and self-directed assessment and will reinforce each of the learning outcomes of the module. These assessments will provide students with feedback on their achievement of the learning outcomes and prepare them for the summative assessments.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

All summative assessments must be passed at 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination (written paper) in August.  Failed coursework assessment may be reassessed by an alternative piece of work, before or during the August examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 4 September 2023