James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

CH2043 - Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis

Subject Description

This subject builds upon the fundamental concepts of chemistry introduced in the first year subjects. It deals with the key chemical concepts of medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacology, including the mechanisms of drug action and metabolism. The subject also introduces the principles of drug stability and basic mechanism of drug degradations. The importance of chemical analysis in relation to drug development, drug testing and quality control is examined. Specific topics to be covered include instrumental methods of analysis and structure determination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API's), particularly NMR, chromatographic separation techniques (HPLC and GLC, thermal analysis methods (DSC and TGA) and Vibrational Spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and Raman spectroscopy). Pharmaceutical case studies are also covered.

Learning Outcomes

• explain the principles of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology for pharmaceutical agents, including mechanisms of drug metabolism and drug stability
• describe and apply spectroscopic techniques used in the quality control of pharmaceuticals, in drug testing & development
• explain polymorphism and the analytical techniques used to differentiate them
• describe modern separation techniques in pharmaceutical chemistry
• understand and solve pharmaceutical application case studies

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (60%) - Individual
• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Practical assessment/practical skills demonstration - (20%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  First year chemistry

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  PC2002, CH3403

Availabilities