UnitLevel 1Undergraduate

PHR1021 How medicines work 1: Physical chemistry

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHR1021 How medicines work 1: Physical chemistry is a level 1, 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 and unlocks 18 units, leading on to 19 units in all.

Credit points: 6
Offered in 2026: Semester 1; Malaysia, Parkville
Assessment: Exam 60%; and 5 other tasks

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

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Requisites

Before PHR1021

No prerequisites or corequisites.

After PHR1021

18 units list PHR1021 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

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Overview

This unit provides an introduction to how drugs become medicines and explores factors that influence the absorption of drugs following oral administration. You will study the physicochemical properties of molecules that determine dissolution, solubility, stability and permeability in order to explain how these factors affect oral drug absorption. In addition, the barrier properties of the small intestine, and how they contribute to, or limit, the oral absorption of drugs will be discussed as well as the formulation properties of commonly-administered oral formulations (tablets and capsules).

Offerings in 2026

Teaching period	Campus	Mode
First semester	Malaysia	On campus
First semester	Parkville	On campus

Assessment

Progress questionsQuiz / Test
5%
Calculations testQuiz / TestCompetency hurdle
10%
Chemistry MCQ testQuiz / Test
10%
Chemistry Workshop testExamination
20%
Drug Absorption Oral presentationPresentation
5%
Pharmaceutics MCQ testQuiz / Test
10%
Final ExaminationExamination
40%

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 impact that pKa and pH have on the ionisation state of a compound, and on its solubility, permeability and stability
2
Explain how chemical and thermodynamic processes influence solubility and dissolution
3
Discuss the key physicochemical properties of molecules and physiological factors that affect oral absorption
4
Predict the oral absorption characteristics of a molecule based on its key physicochemical properties
5
Describe and apply the general principles concerning the formulation of tablets and capsules
6
Explain why medicines are administered by different routes based on clinical need and molecular properties
7
Effectively communicate (orally and written) aspects of how medicines work
8
Demonstrate proficiency in fundamental pharmaceutical calculations

Workload and teaching

Assessments3 hours
Applied sessions24 hours
Workshops24 hours
Teaching approachActive learning

Seventy-two hours of independent study
Twenty-four hours of pre-learning activities (up to 2 hours per week)
Twenty-four hours of applied sessions (2 hours a week)
Twenty-four hours of small group classes including assessment (2 hours per week)

Learning resources

Required resources

Australian Medicines handbook (AMH)

Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF)

MIMS Online

Recommended resources

Basic textbooks in organic chemistry, physical pharmacy and biopharmaceutics may assist student learning. Examples include:

McMurry, J. Organic Chemistry, Cengage Learning, 9th edition, 2014

OR Brown WH and Poon T. Introduction to Organic Chemistry, 5th edition, 2014

OR Solomons TWG, Fryhle CB and Snyder S. Organic Chemistry, 11th edition, 2014.

OR Patrick, GL. An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, Oxford University Press, 6th edition, 2017

Shargel and Yu, Applied Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics. McGraw Hill. 7th edition, 2016

Sinko, PJ. Martin’s Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Physical chemical principles in the pharmaceutical sciences, 7th edition, 2016. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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

Unit Coordinators: Dr Lim Han Yin; Professor Darren Creek
Chief Examiners: Professor Darren Creek

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for PHR1021?

PHR1021 has no prerequisites.

What can I take after PHR1021?

PHR1021 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 18 units, including PHR1222, PHR2011, PHR2012, PHR2021, PHR2041 and PHR2042. Those lead on to 19 units in all.

When is PHR1021 offered?

In 2026, PHR1021 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia and Parkville.

Does PHR1021 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 6 other tasks.

More details

Credit points: 6
Level: 1
Study level: Undergraduate
Faculty: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Type: Coursework
EFTSL: 0.125
Student contribution: SCA Band 2
Study abroad: Not available
Handbook years: 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 202520262027