Unit Outline

Pharmaceutical Science and Practice 1 integrates two areas of study: Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy Practice. Pharmaceutical Science is the study of the formulation, manufacture, stability and efficacy of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Pharmacy Practice is the study of the role of the pharmacist in optimising the use of medicines and improving health outcomes. This unit requires you to apply knowledge of pharmaceutical science and pharmacy practice to a range of professional and practical situations. You will study dosage form design and formulation, extemporaneous compounding, dispensing and pharmaceutical calculations in relation to powders, capsules, tablets, solutions and suspensions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Describe oral drug delivery methods and technology.
2.	Prepare oral extemporaneously dispensed products in a simulated practical environment considering legislation and accepted professional practice standards.
3.	Perform basic pharmaceutical calculations.
4.	Search and reference drug information and pharmacy-related literature.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Based on changes to teaching and student feedback, practicals have been changed to be 2 hours weekly, rather than 3 hours fortnightly.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Practical competencies	Week 3	0 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Dosage form theory and calculation tests	Week 3	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Workbook	Week 6	30 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Written theory exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Practical competencies

Task Description:

You will participate in weekly practical classes in which you will compound and dispense pharmaceutical products and write practical reports. You will be assessed against extemporaneous compounding competencies during the practicals. Each competency may be assessed across multiple practicals, with a maximum of FOUR (4) attempts at each competency item.
*This is a hurdle assessment.

Task Length:

2 hour practicals

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate accuracy and completeness of compounding skills as per skills assessment list.	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Dosage form theory and calculation tests

Task Description:

You will complete five (5) short tests on dosage form theory and/or calculations which will be conducted during timetabled classes.

Task Length:

10-15 minutes

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of dosage form theory and pharmaceutical calculations.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Workbook

Task Description:

You are required to complete a workbook to develop and reflect on your compounding and dispensing skills. The workbook contains exercises which align with practical classes and assist you to achieve the competencies required for successful completion of this unit.

Workbook submissions due: Weeks 6 and 12

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding and reflect on skills required to compound and dispense extemporaneous medications.	LO2, LO3
2	Search and reference drug information and pharmacy-related literature.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Written theory exam

Task Description:

You will sit a written theory examination which may consist of a combination of multiple-choice questions, short answer dosage form theory questions and calculation questions.

Task Length:

2 hours + reading time

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of dosage form theory and pharmaceutical calculations.	LO1, LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.