BPS3071 Nanotechnology and polymer science in drug delivery
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
BPS3071 Nanotechnology and polymer science in drug delivery is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Malaysia and Parkville. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Malaysia, Parkville
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 4 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Overview
You will be introduced to the principles behind the formulation of nanotechnology and polymer-based drug delivery systems, their characterisation and the way they behave in vitro and in vivo. Diverse organic nanoparticle systems, such as lipid-based formulations, micelles, liposomes, emulsions/suspensions and natural/synthetic polymeric nanoformulations as well as inorganic nanoparticle systems including silica and metal-based nanoparticles will be discussed in the context of drug delivery and diagnostics. You will learn about key tools for the physicochemical characterisation of nanoparticles, and bio-nano interactions. You will also conduct laboratory-based experiments to characterize nanotechnology and polymer-based drug delivery systems and to test your laboratory-based skills.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| First semester | Parkville | On campus |
Assessment
- Laboratory reports, data analysis, and performanceProject24%
- Workshop submissionWritten18%
- Student engagement and participation: Moodle quizzes or PollEv questionsExercise6%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / Test12%
- Final assessmentExamination40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the principles behind the formulation of nanotechnology and polymer-based drug
delivery systems; - 2
Appraise different types of nanoparticles with tailored physicochemical properties;
- 3
Evaluate interactions between nanoparticles and biological entities, including proteins, cells and organisms;
- 4
Critically assess the potential of a given drug delivery system to encapsulate and release drug molecules;
- 5
Apply, and conduct in laboratories, the methods of characterisation of nanotech and polymer-based drug delivery systems;
- 6
Differentiate modes of imaging nanotechnology-based therapies;
- 7
Discuss the role of advanced formulation and nanotechnologies in modern diagnostics.
Workload and teaching
- Assessments2 hours
- Workshops12 hours
- Applied sessions12 hours
- Laboratories18 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Twelve 1-hour online preparation modules (discovery)
- Twenty-four 1-hour online modules
- Six 2-hour applied sessions (Q&A)
- Six 2-hour workshops
- Six 3-hour laboratories
- One 2-hour mid-semester test
Learning resources
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
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Jie Tang
- Dr How Chee Wun
- Chief Examiners
- Jie Tang
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BPS3071?
BPS3071 has no prerequisites.
When is BPS3071 offered?
In 2026, BPS3071 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia and Parkville.
Does BPS3071 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.