Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Science of Medicines 3
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Pharmacy
Module Code	01 39116
Module Lead	Abdullah Mrad
Level	Honours Level
Credits	40
Semester	Full Term
Pre-requisites	LI Portfolio 2 - (01 39109) LI Professional Experience Placements 2 - (01 39110) LI Applied Pharmacy Practice 2 - (01 39107) LI Health Sciences 2 - (01 39108) LI Science of Medicines 2 - (01 39111)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Students are required to achieve a minimum module mark of 50%, and a minimum of 40% in each component of the module (course work and examinations).
Contact Hours	Lecture-60 hours Tutorial-6 hours Practical Classes and workshops-30 hours Guided independent study-304 hours Total: 400 hours
Exclusions
Description	Science of Medicines 3 will be delivered in Year 3, commencing in semester 1 and spans the whole academic year. The module covers areas related to the science of pharmacy and its application to the discovery of new therapeutic/diagnostic agents, their formulation into medicines and safe use in practice. The module builds on prior Science of medicines modules and integrates knowledge from concurrent modules to provide relevant clinical context and support prescribing decision-making. Science of medicines 3 will provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of pharmacokinetics and how these apply to clinical decision-making. Following an introduction to the formulation and biopharmaceutics principles associated with the design of modified-release dosage forms and their safe use in patients, the module will address the principles underlying the development, use and assessment of drug delivery systems and nanomedicines. New technologies, experimental drugs and medicines will be discussed, covering developments in drug discovery, diagnostics, drug formulation as these apply to both low molecular weight drugs (organic or inorganic), and biologicals (including gene therapy). The contribution of advances in biotechnology and tissue engineering to pharmaceutical research will also be highlighted. This module will also highlight the principles of precision and targeted medicine from a drug discovery and formulation perspective, covering the different steps involved in the translation of new medicinal products.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Apply prior learning to and integrate it with the new learning content of this module. Demonstrate competence in pharmaceutical calculations and numeracy. Apply common models that describe the pharmacokinetics of drugs to estimate relevant clinical parameters, support clinical decision making and ensure safe use of medicines in the clinic Describe and assess the strategies available for the design of modified-release formulations and apply these to prescribing decisions. Recognise the contribution of biotechnology and tissue engineering to the development of advanced therapeutic and diagnostic products. Outline the advantages and limitations of drug delivery systems and suggest evidence-based strategies for their use in the formulation of drugs and biologicals. Discuss the challenges related to the formulation and/or large-scale production of nanomedicines and biologicals and the assessment of their efficacy, safety, and bioequivalence Describe the challenges related to the delivery of drugs, nanomedicines, and biologicals across physiological and/or intracellular barriers and suggest appropriate strategies to overcome these. Describe opportunities and challenges related to the discovery of new drugs, and development of new devices and/or formulations in the context of precision and targeted medicine. Critically appraise scientific literature, including the suitability of experimental protocols, related to drug discovery, development, formulation and/or assessment of new medicinal products in the context of translational research Propose hypothesis-driven, evidence-based methodologies to address research questions, taking ethical implications into consideration. Present and discuss (including appropriate mathematical analysis) research data by written and/or oral means, referencing relevant resources competently. Communicate evidence-based information on new technologies and new therapies to a variety of audiences, including lay members of the public
Assessment	39116-01 : Practicals (non-clinical) : Practical (20%) 39116-02 : Synoptic Pharmaceutical Assignment (non-clinical) : Coursework (20%) 39116-03 : End of Year Exam (non-clinical) : Exam (Centrally timetabled) - Computer based (60%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Coursework: Practicals (20%) (non-clinical) Written task (20%) Synoptic pharmaceutical assignment (non-clinical) Examinations: On-campus timed closed book: MCQ/SAQ 3-hours (60%) (non-clinical) Reassessment: Students who fail to achieve a minimum module mark of 50% will be reassessed in every element (examination and coursework) in which they achieved less than 50%. This will take place in the supplementary exam period. Students who fail to meet the internal hurdle will be reassessed for every component affected. This will take place in the supplementary period.
Other
Reading List