Unit Outline

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

As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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:	Submission of excel files	See the MyLO site for the due date	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Multiple choice question online quizzes	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Online Written Tests	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:	Submission of practical report	Week 10	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 6:	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: Submission of excel files

Task Description:

You will be required to submit your excel sheets and associated worksheets after 6 practical assessments. Formative feedback will be provided

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 accurate interpretation and analysis of experimental findings.	LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Interpret and analyse the provided data	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: 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 10
Quiz 4 - Week 12

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 4: 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 11

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	Interpret and analyse the provided data to demonstrate knowledge of principles of chromatographic techniques.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 5: 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 6: 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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.

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.