UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

MPS5101 Overview of drug discovery and development

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MPS5101 Overview of drug discovery and development is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate 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
No exam
6 tasks

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Overview

This unit introduces you to the principles of modern drug discovery and development and foundational laboratory skills required for ongoing studies in pharmaceutical science.   

You will be assigned with colleagues to a virtual pharmaceutical company, where you will undertake a semester-long project to discover and develop a new medicine. Working with the pipeline that underpins modern medicines development, you will undertake a range of individual and team-based enquiry activities, presenting your findings in a variety of written and oral modalities. In doing this, you will be able to articulate how the interplay between the pharmaceutical sciences – operating in a sustainable, socially-responsible and ethical framework – contributes to the discovery, development, formulation, manufacture and regulated clinical use of new drugs. In parallel, you will undertake a series of practical exercises to give you a solid platform to develop laboratory-based research skills.

Upon completing this unit, you will have a sound foundation of knowledge and skills on which to base further advanced studies in pharmaceutical science.

Offerings in 2026

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus
First semesterParkvilleOn campus

Assessment

  • Laboratory competency assessmentDemonstrationCompetency hurdle
    -
  • Online quizzesQuiz / Test
    10%
  • Oral presentation from enquiry-based investigation 1Presentation
    25%
  • Written extension task from enquiry-based investigation 2Written
    25%
  • Web page from enquiry-based investigation 1Artefact
    30%
  • Learning portfolio reflectionWritten
    10%

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. 1

    Investigate and critically analyse how modern medicines are discovered in the context of the discovery and development pipeline

  2. 2

    Critically evaluate the impact of sustainable and socially responsible practices in drug discovery and development

  3. 3

    Use effective written and oral communication skills to present outcomes of enquiry-based research in aspects of drug discovery and development to diverse audiences

  4. 4

    Demonstrate effective teamwork practices in carrying out group enquiry-based research in pharmaceutical science

  5. 5

    Demonstrate the development of communication and critical thinking skills via effective reflective practice

  6. 6

    Demonstrate mastery of foundational laboratory techniques relevant to pharmaceutical science.

Workload and teaching

  • Assessments2 hours
  • Laboratories12 hours
  • Workshops16 hours
  • Applied sessions12 hours
  • Teaching approachCase-based teaching
  • Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
  • 24 hours of online modules
  • Eight 2-hour workshops
  • 12 hours of laboratory work
  • Twelve 1-hour Q&A applied sessions
  • 20 hours of team-based collaborative work
  • 60 hours of independent study

Learning resources

Technology resources

This unit requires access to a laptop that meets minimum specifications. Free specialist software is available via MoVE. 

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Dr Tony Hughes
Unit Coordinators
Dr Ong Yong Sze
Dr Tony Hughes

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MPS5101?

MPS5101 has no prerequisites.

When is MPS5101 offered?

In 2026, MPS5101 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia and Parkville.

Does MPS5101 have an exam?

No. MPS5101 has 6 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
5
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
202220232024202520262027