Unit Overview

Description

This self-paced 0-credit-point unit offers a foundational review of key chemistry content essential for pharmacy studies. It covers functional groups, acid–base behaviour, ionisation and pKa, stereochemistry, drug solubility and partitioning, and introductory principles of drug analysis. Delivered through online lectures and self-directed learning activities, the unit is designed to help students refresh prerequisite chemistry knowledge in preparation for postgraduate pharmacy coursework.

Students admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy who meet the entry prerequisite of ATAR Chemistry but have not completed a tertiary-level chemistry unit (CHEM1003) within the prior three years will be required to complete this unit to ensure their foundational chemistry knowledge is current. The learning materials will remain available to all students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy as an optional resource for revision and reference.

Credit
0 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationModeFirst year of offer
Not available in 2026OnlineOnline only
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) predict chemical properties of drugs and their solubility based on their functional groups, acid base behaviour, pKa and logP values; (2) predict the stereochemistry of different drug molecules and apply appropriate stereochemical terminologies; and (3) describe the chemistry of proteins and nucleic acids as common drug targets.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: ongoing online quizzes. Further information is available in the unit outline.



This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Connie Locher
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51500 Doctor of Pharmacy
Contact hours
15 hours of online lectures including self-directed learning
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.

Face to face

Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Online flexible

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online timetabled

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online Restricted

Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.

NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.

External

No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.

Off-campus

Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.

Multi-mode

Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.