FARMA2120 Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Science Course description

The course focuses on the characteristic properties of different types of active ingredients, formulations and routes of administration, as well as theory on and practical execution of sterile pharmaceutical production.  

Subjects covered by the course, with credits specified:

• Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Science 10 credits

Completed the first year of the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the structure and function of biological barriers
• has knowledge of the rate of solubility and its significance for the absorption of pharmaceuticals
• is capable of explaining factors that can limit the bioavailability of active ingredients and influence the biopharmaceutical properties of pharmaceuticals
• is capable of explaining the grounds for choices of type of active ingredient, formulation and route of administration made during pharmaceutical development work
• is capable of explaining the function of common ancillary substances in pharmaceutical preparations

Skills

The student

• is capable of discussing principles of formulation for pharmaceuticals based on information from summaries of product characteristics (SPC) and any other relevant pharmaceutical reference works
• is capable of assessing a user perspective on different formulations, as well as shelf life and storage
• is capable of assessing the use of different pharmaceutical formulations based on a patient's condition and needs
• is capable of using pharmaceutical reference works written in English and Norwegian
• masters basic skills in aseptic work technique and sterilisation procedures

General competence

The student

• is capable of documenting and presenting his/her own work orally and in writing
• is capable of taking a critical approach to information collected from different sources

Work and teaching methods include lectures, group work, question sessions and laboratory work. The lectures involve student activity and the subject matter is made relevant using clinical examples. The students are also introduced to current research, possible future formulations and unsolved problems. The students work on assignments and are met with expectations of progress in the question sessions, which are scheduled throughout the course. The laboratory work focuses on aseptic work technique. Students are followed up individually before the final practical test.

The Flipped Classroom is used as a teaching method for part of the course. Digital learning resources will be made available to students in advance and the time they spend at the university will be used to work on assignments and group work.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• minimum attendance of 90% in the laboratory course in the production of pharmaceuticals subject to sterility requirements
• completed training in aseptic work technique
• practical test in the production of pharmaceuticals subject to sterility requirements

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

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Grade scale A-F

One external and one internal examiner will assess at least 30 % of the papers. Two internal examiners will assess the remaining papers. The external examiner's assessment shall benefit all the students.