Faculty of Arts & Science 2011-2012 Calendar

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Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Collaborative Program of the Faculty of Arts & Science and the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Chemistry combines knowledge of the biological, medical, and physical sciences in the study of drug therapy. The emphasis is on the chemical nature of the reactions and interactions involved in drug therapy. The students will receive a solid background in the facets of chemistry the most relevant to drugs: physical, organic, and analytical chemistry. They will also learn the fundamental aspects of the synthesis, manufacture, use, and mode of action of drugs.

Undergraduate Office – General Enquiries:Linda Chung, (416-978-2162), l.chung@utoronto.ca

Program Director: Dr. Rob Macgregor, (416-978-7332) rob.macgregor@utoronto.ca

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Programs

Pharmaceutical Chemistry combines knowledge of the biological, medical and physical sciences in the study of the scientific aspect of drug therapy. The emphasis is on the chemical nature of the reactions and interactions involved in drug therapy.

Jointly run by the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto, students in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Specialist program will receive a solid background in physical, organic and analytical chemistry, and will also learn the fundamental aspects of the synthesis, manufacture, use and mode of action of drugs.

This is a limited enrolment POSt that can only accommodate a limited number of students.  Eligibility will be based on a student’s mark(s) in the required course(s).  The precise mark thresholds outlined below are an estimate of what will be required in the coming POSt admission cycle.   Achieving those mark(s) does not necessarily guarantee admission to the POSt in any given year.

While it is difficult to predict what will be competitive course marks and average in a given year,  based on previous years, the estimate is: course marks =  mid 70s ; average = high 70s.

Achieving these estimated marks does not guarantee admission to the subject POSt in any given year.

Visit the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Program web site for updated information about requirements, course offerings, and events: http://pharmacy.utoronto.ca/programs/pharmchem/curriculum.htm.

(15.0 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

NOTE: Some of the courses listed below may have prerequisites.

First Year:
BIO120H1, BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1, BIO241H1; (CHM220H1,CHM221H1)/CHM225Y1; CHM247H1/CHM249H1

Third Year:
CHM217H1; PCL201H1; PHC300Y1; PHC320H1; PHC330Y1; PHC340Y1

Fourth Year:
1. CHM317H1; PHC489Y1
2. Two full course equivalents from:CHM347H1; CHM379H1; CHM410H1; CHM414H1; CHM417H1; CHM427H1; CHM440H1; PCL362H1; PHC401H1; PHC331H1; PHC420H1, PHC421Y1, PHC430H1; PHC431H1; PHC451H1; PHC452H1; PHC460H1; PHC462H1, PSL302Y1

Note that not all of the 400-series PHC courses are offered every academic year.
We also offer an optional 12- or 16-month internship program to qualified students. This is a project-based, paid employment placement that takes place between the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. It provides the student with an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the first three years of university to private- or public-sector settings. Placements are available in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research labs, university-affiliated organizations, or government research agencies.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Courses

The 199Y1 and 199H1 seminars are designed to provide the opportunity to work closely with an instructor in a class of no more than twenty-four students. These interactive seminars are intended to stimulate the students’ curiosity and provide an opportunity to get to know a member of the professorial staff in a seminar environment during the first year of study. Details here.

The molecular basis for the action of drugs is presented based upon the physicochemical nature of the drug and its target.

Modern discovery and synthesis of antibiotics, antineoplastics, antiviral and other therapeutic agents.

The study of the science and technology underlying drug delivery are covered. The properties of different dosage forms and delivery routes are studied with an emphasis on oral and parenteral routes.

Introduction to human clinical trial design for the demonstration of pharmaceutical bioequivalence of drug products. Students will learn the principles underlying the regulations and methods employed in bioequivalence studies.

The scientific basis and practical techniques relevant to modern pharmaceutical development.

The goal of this course is to provide students with knowledge of the molecular processes involved in drug transport across biological cell membranes with emphasis on their physiological and clinical significance.

This course shows students the links between basic science and the drugs used therapeutically to treat clinical problems.

Prerequisite: PHC300Y1, PHC320H1
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Science course
Breadth Requirement: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

PHC421H1
Biomoleuclar Interactions and Thermodynamics I [24L]

This course will consider many of the topics presented in the first half in much greater detail including a rigorous examination of the interpretation of experimental data.  This course is intended for students whose research or interest is in the thermodynamics of biological molecules.

PHC422H1
Biomoleuclar Interactions and Thermodynamics II [24L]

This course will consider many of the topics presented in the first half in much greater detail including a rigorous examination of the interpretation of experimental data.  This course is intended for students whose research or interest is in the thermodynamics of biological molecules. (Not offered in 2011-2012).

Prerequisite: Enrolment in the PHC program or permission of the instructor
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Science course
Breadth Requirement: Living Things and Their Environment (4)

PHC430H1    Recent Developments in Dosage Form Design [24L]

Introduction to controlled drug delivery: Mechanisms and kinetics of controlled drug release. Fundamental theories and mathematical tools for the design of modern dosage forms. Development and applications of controlled drug delivery dosage forms.

 In-depth discussion of implementation of pharmaceutical sciences in drug development strategies. Students will apply fundamental principles of pharmaceutics and drug delivery to current problems in the pharmaceutical industry.

Presents use of radiopharmaceuticals in diagnosis and therapy, emphasizing those used in nuclear medicine procedures studying neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, haematologic, endocrine and bone pathology.

Introduces nuclear pharmacy through the discussion of problems that explain the design, production, analysis, and the clinical use of radiopharmaceuticals. Topics introduced using group discussions and laboratory exercises.

Lectures by scientists from academia and industry, and student seminars based on journal articles dealing with strategies for discovering new drugs for therapy and diagnosis.

This course is designed to broaden student’s understanding of the development and licensing of new drugs and how scientific principles, ethics, governmental regulations and commercial considerations are coordinated for designing clinical trails. The format involves lectures, group discussion and student presentations.

This course will provide research experience under the supervision of a Departmental staff member. The goal is to deepen the student’s understanding of the scientific basis and practical techniques relevant to modern pharmaceutical development.