Module: Synthesis & Analysis of Pharmaceuticals

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Synthesis & Analysis of Pharmaceuticals
Module Code	CHM1034 (ITS: CS363)
Faculty	Chemical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

In this module students will be introduced to a regulated laboratory environment where they will carry out typical pharmaceutical laboratory experiments, and to the practice of auditing data according to SOP and compendia. Students will be introduced to the analytical techniques which are used on a daily basis within the pharmaceutical industry. Students will be also introduced to the topics of rearrangements and retrosynthesis which will be further explored in practical experiments.

Learning Outcomes

1. Execute the analysis of pharmaceutical raw materials at a Regulatory standard.
2. Undertake and properly interpret in vitro dissolution profiles of a final formulated drug product.
3. Show a high competency skill level in performing essential analytical methods that are used within the pharmaceutical industry
4. Design reasonable synthetic pathways through appropriate retrosyntheses and forward syntheses.
5. Set up reactions and monitor their progress, and work up and purify reaction products, using a combination of fundamental and advanced laboratory techniques.
6. Accurately record laboratory procedures and results and produce high quality reports detailing relevant information.
7. Appropriately interprete the collected data.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	90	Scheduled laboratory practical sessions
Directed learning	10	Resources given for retrosynthesis and rearrangements topics and diverse laboratory techniques.
Independent Study	150	Preparation for laboratory sessions and lab report writing
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10263	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Mercedes Vazquez	Module Teacher	Blanaid White, Emma Coyle, Hasim Ibrahim, Mary Pryce, Nessan Kerrigan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Analytical part of this lab - one report per experiment will be submitted	33.33%	Every Week
Report(s)	Pharmaceutical part of this lab - one report per experiment plus one final certificate of analysis will be submitted	33.33%	Every Week
Assignment	Organic part of this lab - one report per experiment will be submitted	33.34%	Every Week

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Experiments performed in the Analytical part:
1. Spectroscopic Determination of Iron in Iron Tablets. 2. Esterification of Carboxylic Acids and Analysis by Capillary GC-FID. 3. Comparison studies of analytical methods: Magnesium in pharmaceutical preparations by Atomic Absorption and Titrimetry.

Experiments performed in the Pharmaceutical part:
1. Testing of raw materials used in the manufacture of the Panadol 500mg Tablets. 2. Dissolution testing and further method validation testing. 3. Assay of active ingredient in Panadol 500mg tablets using the Varian automated photo-diode array HPLC system.

Experiments performed in the Organic part:
1. Isoxazoline and Wittig reactions. 2. Regioselective hydroboration via Brown hydroboration. 3. Synthesis of alkenes using the Horner Wadsworth Emmons reaction.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

DCU Chemical Sciences: 2019, Combined laboratory manual - AC3, Chemical Sciences, DCU,
J. Leonard, B. Lygo, G. Procter: 0, Advanced Practical Organic Chemistry, CRC Press,
L. Kurti, B. Czako: 0, Strategic Applications of Named Reactions in Organic Synthesis, Elsevier,
S. Warren: 0, Designing Organic Syntheses: A Programmed Introduction to the Synthon Approach, JOHN WILEY & SONS,
J. J. Li: 0, Name Reactions, Springer,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Website, MIT, 2007, Digital Lab Techniques Manual,