Pharmaceutical and Chemical Analysis – MSc/PgD

The material covered in this module concentrates on giving a sound foundation to the theory and application of modern instrumental techniques, reinforced through hands on use in the laboratory programme. It begins with the Analytical process. It introduces common analytical techniques including basic Spectroscopy and Chromatography techniques . It then expands into more advanced analytical techniques include Radiochemical Methods, Thermal Methods of Analysis, Microscopic Methods and Electrochemical Methods.

This module provides a comprehensive overview of bioanalytical methods and their connection to drug design and development. It explores the principles, techniques, and applications of various bioanalytical methods used to detect, quantify, and analyse small and large (bio)molecules. This module will provide learners with the opportunity to study toxicology in its position underpinning pharmaceutical/drug safety. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of cell and molecular mechanisms of drug induced toxicity, with an understanding of the principles of toxicology including toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, target organ toxicity and genetic toxicology.

This module describes management and standards in the pharmaceutical laboratory and compliance with external regulations and systems to maintain an effective and efficient laboratory. The roles of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) as well as Lean Laboratory concepts are addressed as part of this module.

This module focuses on the skills needed to develop a research project and aims to equip the learner with the tools to help further their career development. The module has three components: Research Methods, Professional and Transferable Skills and Career Development and Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

This module provides a comprehensive coverage of modern chromatographic theory, methodologies and applications from the perspective of method development.

The aim of the module is to provide an in-depth focus on a range of characterisation techniques widely employed in both the pharmaceutical and chemical industries and research relevant to the analysis of pharmaceutical materials. The module also concentrates on the evaluation and characterisation of pharmaceutical polymer excipients used in manufacturing processes to confirm identity and ensure quality, stability and purity of polymer ingredients.

The aim of this module is to give students an in-depth knowledge of modern spectroscopic techniques for structural analysis. The main emphasis for this module will be on IR, MS and NMR. Theory and application to chemical research problems will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on training the students to interpret spectra and to design experiments to address research problems. The student will learn to perform the most commonly used NMR (1D and 2D NMR spectra) experiments, and to interpret and document their results. Instruction will include lectures, practicals, spectroscopy workshops and individual case studies.

This module will provide the learner with a solid foundation in a wide variety of data analysis techniques used in the analytical sciences including univariate and multivariate analysis with particular emphasis on the ability to design experiments and critically analyse the data produced.

This module will provide students with insights and knowledge of working in the pharmaceutical industry. Workshops provided by internal personnel and external industry experts will impart valuable knowledge thereby helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Students will conduct an independent research project either in an academic research laboratory or an approved industrial setting (subject to availability). Upon completion of this module the student will have adopted a reflective critical approach to learning in addition to advancing their problem-solving and interpersonal skills.