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PHAR 480 Drug Discovery and Development

PHAR 480 Drug Discovery and Development

 Fall 2023 (Online)
 Year 4 Optional Course
 9-10 hours/week
 3 units
Available
Online Course

This survey course covers the life-cycle of a pharmaceutical product including, drug discovery, development, and its transition to a generic or over-the-counter medication. Specific themes include target identification, design and synthesis, in vitro and in vivo efficacy determination, biochemical and biological optimization, preclinical safety assessment, clinical trials, and generics and over-the-counter medications as well as the social and economic pressures exerted upon the pharmaceutical industry.


Minimum 4th year (Level 4) standing and one of (PHAR 230/3.0; PHAR 370/3.0; PHAR 340/3.0).

LISC MAJ SSP students require a GPA of 2.5. Note: this course cannot be used as credit towards the LISC DDHT SSP Plan

For non-BHSc students

DDHT 459/3.0 and DDHT 460/3.0

This course cannot be used as credit towards the Life Sciences Specialization Plan (DDHT)

After completing PHAR 480, students will be able to:

  1. Develop solutions to drug discovery/development problems to discuss either orally or in writing solutions to these problems.
  2. Critically analyze the social and economic implications of legislative decisions pertaining to the pharmaceutical industry to argue a particular side of this these decisions.
  3. To develop and refine professional interpersonal communication skills
  4. To develop an understanding of the biologic, social, and economic constraints that influence drug discovery and drug development.
  1. Communicator
  2. Scholar
  3. Professional
  4. Collaborator

All assessments will be graded using marking rubrics.

Assessment 1: Ensuring a Viable Pharmaceutical Industry (10%)

Assessment 2: Justifying Lead Chemical Selection (15%)

Assessment 3: Drug Safety Decision Assessment (20%)

Assessment 4: Special Topics in Drug Discovery (15%)

Assessment 5: Final Exam (40%)

9–10 hours a week (108–120 hours per term).

Required Texts

PHAR 480 course notes via modules posted online and the instructor will provide published review articles.