James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2022

PC1103 - Pharmaceutical Chemistry 1

Subject Description

This subject builds on the content of CH1001 and covers major principles and reactions in organic, physical and pharmaceutical chemistry and their relevance to pharmacy and biological systems. The organic chemistry section will introduce general features of organic reactions, will discuss selected reaction mechanisms, will provide experimental and instrumental techniques for structure determination and will cover the stereochemistry of hydrocarbons. The physical chemistry section will discuss principles of chemical kinetics, will introduce redox and electrochemistry, will describe intramolecular forces and will cover gas laws. The pharmaceutical chemistry section will introduce drug discovery and development processes, will discuss structure-activity relationship studies, will present combinatorial chemistry as a source of drug molecules, will describe patents and 'Patent Busting' and will present selected drug development case studies.

Learning Outcomes

• develop competence in appropriate laboratory techniques, especially those relevant to the determination of drug structure and activity
• describe the physical chemistry concepts which underpin the understanding of pharmaceutics and the dosage form, e.g., reaction kinetics, phase equilibria and colligative properties
• describe organic concepts, which can be applied to drug molecules and cellular biochemistry, e.g., chemical reactions and the mechanisms through which they occur
• apply analytical techniques used to determine organic molecules such as drug products
• demonstrate an understanding of basic pharmaceutical chemistry concepts, e.g., structure-activity relationships and drug development strategies

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (55%) - Individual
• Written > Examination - In class - (15%) - Individual
• Participation > Class participation - (10%) - Group
• 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:  As this is a level 1 subject in the BPharm(Hons) pathway, students will be expected to have the standard entry requirements for the degree pathway.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  CH1002

Availabilities