Unit Outline
CSA741
Basic Laboratory Skills in Pharmaceutical and Chromatographic Science
Semester 1, 2024
Mohammed Sedeeq
School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Mohammed Sedeeq
Email: Mohammed.Sedeeq@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit will provide basic training to obtain fundamental laboratory skills in the field of pharmaceutical and chromatographic science. The purpose of this unit is to introduce the basic laboratory skills that researchers utilise on a daily basis.
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.
Prepare, standardise and monitor the quality of pharmaceutical drug solutions
2.
Demonstrate pre-use and calibration checks on commonly used pharmaceutical equipment, and perform routine laboratory procedures
3.
Demonstrate the principles and pharmaceutical applications of various types of chromatographic techniques
4.
Critically evaluate the advantages, limitations and other specific information that can be gained from various pharmaceutical and chromatographic techniques
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Co-requisite
CSA742
Alterations as a result of student feedback
No alterations have been made since the last delivery of the unit. 
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Independent Learning
No Description
2
Weekly
Science Laboratory
No Description
3
StudyPeriod 11 times
Other
Online class: 120 min, (7 times/semester)
2
Study Period 7 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
In CSA741 unit, your active engagement will be monitored in the following way: 
1. Your attendance will be monitored in all the sessions (please see unit schedule for week/day/time information). 
2. Whether or not you have completed the first multiple-choice online quiz, which is scheduled in week four (see unit schedule for more details). 
If you do not demonstrate evidence of having engaged actively with this unit by completing these two activities by Week 4 of semester, your enrolment may be cancelled, or you may be withdrawn from the unit. 
Teaching and learning strategies 
Staff at Pharmacy, School of Medicine truly enjoy teaching the Master of Pharmaceutical Science students especially when the students are motivated and enthusiastic. The teaching staff will provide you guidance and feedback during as well as at the end of each laboratory session. 
Work Health and Safety (WHS) 
The University is committed to providing a safe and secure teaching and learning environment. In addition to specific requirements of this unit you should refer to the  Safety and Wellbeing webpage and policy.
 
 

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:
Module-associated online quizzes
See the MyLO site for the due date
0 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Multiple choice question online quizzes
Week 4
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Online Written Tests
Week 6
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:
Submission of practical report
Week 10
10 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:
Practical Exam
Exam Period
30 %
LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Module-associated online quizzes
Task Description:
You will be required to undertake 5 online quizzes throughout the semester. These quizzes are considered as one hurdle task. You must correctly answer 100% of the questions. You can take as many attempts as possible to achieve the required number of correct answers. Each quiz will remain open for 1 week before the practical session. If you do not complete the required self-directed non-invigilated quiz before the practical session, you will not be permitted to take the associated laboratory session for safety reasons.

Due by date - before the associated practical session
Must Pass (HURDLE TASK)

Task Length:
n/a (no time limit and no limit to the number of attempts
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
0 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate knowledge of the content covered in the online modules. These include safe handling, understanding and applications of basic and sophisticated analytical and chromatographic techniques.
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Multiple choice question online quizzes
Task Description:
You will be required to complete 4 online quizzes. Each quiz will have 10 multiple-choice questions. This activity will be conducted in class under test conditions.

Due Dates:
Quiz 1 - Week 4
Quiz 2 - Week 7
Quiz 3 - Week 11
Quiz 4 - Week 13

Task Length:
20 - 30 minutes
Due Date:
Week 4
Weight:
20 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate knowledge of commonly used pharmaceutical equipment
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Demonstrate knowledge of principles and applications of various types of chromatographic techniques
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Demonstrate understanding of principles and pharmaceutical applications of dissolution testing
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Online Written Tests
Task Description:
You will be required to complete 2 short answer written online tests. Each test will have between 10 and 15 questions. This activity will be conducted in class under test conditions.

Due Dates:
Quiz 1 - Week 6
Quiz 2 - Week 12

Task Length:
60 minutes
Due Date:
Week 6
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describe scientific approaches to investigate pharmaceutical analytes using High-performance liquid chromatography.
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Demonstrate principles and applications of basic laboratory techniques commonly used in pharmaceutical industries.
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Demonstrate ability to identify critical methodological flows in an experimental design and formulate solutions to avoid identified issues.
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4
Through interpretation and analysis of the provided data, demonstrate knowledge of principles of chromatographic techniques.
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment Task 4: Submission of practical report
Task Description:
Following laboratory-based practicals, you will complete a written assignment encompassing short- and long-answer questions related to conducting and analysing high-performance liquid chromatography.

Task Length:
2000 words
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Methodological steps and parameters involved in preparing and analysing different pharmaceutical samples using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
LO1, LO2, LO3
2
Evaluate the role and impact of different HPLC parameters involved in HPLC method development and sample analysis.
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment Task 5: Practical Exam
Task Description:
You will be required to perform a laboratory-based practical task, interpret, analyse and submit the experimental findings under test conditions.

Task Length:
2 Hours
 

Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate ability to conduct pharmaceutical calculations.
LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Demonstrate appropriate pipetting and dilution skills.
LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Demonstrate ability to determine the concentration of certain pharmaceutical agents using a pre-validated analytical system.
LO2, LO3, LO4
4
Demonstrate accurate interpretation and analysis of experimental findings.
LO2, LO3, LO4
 
 
 

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.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
No specific textbooks or reading lists are required for this unit as self-directed searches for information are required and strongly encouraged in this unit. Links to specific information relevant to laboratory sessions or theoretical background will be distributed via the lecture material or MyLO.
 
Recommended reading materials
Recommended readings/video material will be available via the laboratory worksheets and MyLO.
 
Other required resources
No specific material or software is required for this unit. Analysis and presentation of results will be performed using Microsoft Excel and Word. A laptop with functional microphone and webcam is required to attend the interactive online sessions