Curriculum Information

This module will challenge students to think about the factors that need to be considered when working in the area of process development/laboratory scale, to identify potential hazards or processes that would prove challenging to perform on a bulk scale and provide alternative pathways..

Upon having access to chemicals in bulk, the module then looks at the principles of preformulation science and simple single phase formulations (liquids/solutions and the solid phase). Topics covered include such things as pharmaceuticals and medicines, pharmaceutical solutions, pH, solubility, the factors that affect the ability of the drug to still retain its activity yet be deliverable to its target organ/cell, the pharmaceutical solid phase i.e. crystal polymorphism of pharmaceuticals and solid-state properties of powder particles.

The final part of the module then looks at the manufacture of tablets and simple solutions/syrups (i.e., the large scale manufacture of formulations). Topics covered will include the process flow, the machines involved and their function, and other considerations surrounding the design of, and key points in, the production line.

Whenever possible a site visits will be organised to complement this module.