BPS1031 Physical chemistry 1: Equilibria and change
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
BPS1031 Physical chemistry 1: Equilibria and change is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Malaysia and Parkville. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Malaysia, Parkville
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
No reviews yetNo reviews yet. Be the first to review BPS1031.
Requisites
Before BPS1031
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After BPS1031
1 unit list BPS1031 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Prohibition: PSC1031
Overview
This unit provides a basic understanding of physical chemistry and together with Physical Chemistry II (BPS1032) provides the conceptual and intellectual foundation for further studies in pharmaceutical science units in 2nd and 3rd year.
You will develop an:
(1) Understanding of the physicochemical principles that underpin pharmaceutical chemistry, drug design and formulation design;
(2) Ability to undertake calculations concerning the physicochemical properties of pharmaceuticals and aspects of pharmaceutical products;
(3) Ability to measure some fundamental properties of pharmaceutical materials through laboratory exercises.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| First semester | Parkville | On campus |
Assessment
- Laboratory tasksProject45%
- Topic quizzesQuiz / Test50%
- Participation and engagementExercise5%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Define acidity and basicity constants in the context of species in solution, apply the principles of buffering and acid-base titrations, calculate pH of aqueous solutions, and predict drug characteristics (absorption behaviour and solubility) based on their acid/base properties.
- 2
Define and calculate thermodynamic properties, explain laws of thermodynamics and concepts of state functions, and relate thermodynamic concepts to the design and function of pharmaceutical products.
- 3
Explain the concepts of phase equilibria, sketch and interpret phase equilibria diagrams, estimate physicochemical properties based on phase equilibria diagrams, and relate these parameters to properties of pharmaceutical products.
- 4
Describe kinetics terminology, explain kinetic theories, construct rate laws based on experimental data, manipulate integrated rate laws to calculate concentration, relate reaction rates to temperature, and predict stability of pharmaceutical products in temporal terms.
- 5
Conduct mathematical calculations involving manipulation of logarithmic and exponential functions, regression and correlation, and integration of simple algebraic functions.
- 6
Practice basic laboratory techniques, and relate experimental results to theoretical concepts.
- 7
Work effectively in a group to solve problems, present group-workshopped solutions, and manage the group to complete the task (communicating and coordinating group efforts).
- 8
Solve problems in a meaningful, systematic, and structured manner
Workload and teaching
- Assessments8 hours
- Laboratories10 hours
- Workshops12 hours
- Applied sessions12 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Ten 1-hour online preparation modules (Discovery)
- Twenty 1-hour interactive lectures (online)
- Twelve 1-hour Q&A / FAQ sessions
- Five 2-hour laboratories
- Six 2-hour workshops
- Four 3-hour problem-solving quizzes
Learning resources
Required resources
Chemical Principles: The quest for insight, PW Atkins; L Jones; L Laverman, 2016, W.H. Freeman, 7th ed. (earlier editions are also acceptable)
Recommended resources
Study guide to accompany Atkins, Jones and Laverman's chemical principles : the quest for insight (7e), John Krenos, 2016
Student solutions manual to accompany Atkins, Jones and Laverman's Chemical principles : the quest for insight (7e), Christina Johnson, 2016
Technology resources
For more information on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) specifications and the technology systems and services available to students, review the Student Technology Essentials Handbook
https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/1041220/student-it-brochure.pdf
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Elizabeth Yuriev
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Usha Sundralingam
- Dr Elizabeth Yuriev
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BPS1031?
BPS1031 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after BPS1031?
BPS1031 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including BPS2031.
When is BPS1031 offered?
In 2025, BPS1031 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia and Parkville.
Does BPS1031 have an exam?
No. BPS1031 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.