James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

PC2203 - Pharmaceutical Chemistry 2

Subject Description

This subject builds upon the content of PC1103. It deals with the key chemical concepts of medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacology, including the general mechanisms of drug action and metabolism. The subject also introduces the principles of drug stability and basic mechanisms 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 (APIs), particularly titrations, mass spectrometry (MS) and UV spectroscopy (UV-Vis), 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
• describe modern purification techniques in pharmaceutical chemistry
• explain polymorphism and the analytical techniques used to differentiate them
• employ laboratory or computer simulation techniques to synthesise and/or analyse model pharmaceuticals
• solve pharmaceutical analysis case studies

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (55%) - Individual
• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Practical assessment/practical skills demonstration: 20% Class participation: 5% - (25%) - 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 core level 2 subject in the BPharm(Hons)/MPharm pathway, students will be expected to have completed CH1001 and PC1103.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  CH2043 CH3403

Availabilities