This module is concerned with the application of science and technology in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The module aims to give the student an appreciation of the steps involved from chemical development to a scaled up industrial processes for both fine chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The module will also introduce the students to polymer chemistry, and covers polymer structure, polymer structure-property relationships, synthesis and polymerisation mechanism, and applications of common polymer materials.
Pharmachem production processes
Introduction to chemical and pharmaceutical processes
Explanation of API and fine chemicals
Measurement and impact of Viscosity and Rheology of processing of fluids
Chemical development, drug discovery and synthesis.
Intellectual property Orphan drugs Considerations for scale up, including synthetic pathway
Processing consideration for a key pharmaceutical product (eg aspirin) Process flow diagrams and flowsheets.
Fluid Flow: - solvent selection and control, Reynolds number, transportation, metering fluids.
Polymer Chemistry and Technology
Introduction to raw materials.
Classification of polymers
Intermolecular forces
Crystalline and amorphous region and effect on physical and mechanical properties
Average molecular weight, polydispersity index (PDI)
Determination of molecular weight using viscosity, light scattering, gel permeation chromatography
Polymerisation mechanism - Step Growth and Addition Polymerisation Bulk solution, suspension and emulsion polymerisation
Stereospecific polymerisation
Properties and application of polymers (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride)
Plastic processing including film production, injection moulding, blow moulding
Polymer processing and manufacture Conducting polymers and their applications
Medical polymers and biomaterials Pharmaceutical applications of polymers (e.g. packaging).
A range of suitable laboratory practicals, pertaining to the theory, will be run by the students
The module is delivered through a series of lectures (20 hours), tutorials (4 hours), laboratory practical classes (15 hours) and self-study (61 hours).
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 55 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 45 |