MS7050 Pharmaceutical Analysis Component 1 Assessment Brief Spring 2026-27

MS7050 Pharmaceutical Analysis Component 1 Assessment Brief

Short Description:

This assessment requires students to compile a portfolio based on practical works completed during the module. It includes a detailed report of Experiment 1& 2.

Quantitative and Qualitative Determination of Paracetamol

Assessment overview

This assessment is based entirely on the laboratory work carried out in:

• Experiment 1: UV–Vis spectrophotometric determination of paracetamol
• Experiment 2: HPLC quantitative determination of paracetamol using caffeine as an internal standard

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is used to obtain qualitative information about the identity of the unknown tablet sample.

You will submit one integrated practical report demonstrating your ability to:

• Prepare calibration standards and unknown solutions
• Construct calibration curves by hand and using software
• Determine the concentration of paracetamol in an unknown sample
• Use TLC results to support quantitative findings 

Total marks available: 100

What You Must Submit

Your report must include the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Experimental Method
3. Results and Calculations
4. Discussion
 
Hand-drawn graphs must be included as scanned images or photographs. Excel (or equivalent) graphs must be clearly labelled.

1. Introduction (15 marks)

Explain:

• The principle of UV–Vis spectroscopy and Beer–Lambert law
• The principle of HPLC and the role of the internal standard
• The purpose of using calibration plots
• The role of TLC as a qualitative identification technique

State clearly the aim of the experiments.

2. Experimental Method (15 marks)
Write the method in the past tense, passive voice, describing what you did in the laboratory. Include:

• Preparation of calibration standards
• Preparation and dilution of the unknown tablet solution using volumetric flasks
• UV–Vis analysis (blanking, wavelength selection, absorbance measurement)
• HPLC analysis (internal standard addition, injections, detection)
• TLC spotting, development, and visualisation 

Do not simply copy the laboratory handout.

3. Results and Calculations (60 marks)

A. UV–Vis Spectroscopy

Include:

A clear table of standard concentrations and absorbance values
A hand-drawn calibration curve (absorbance vs concentration)
An Excel calibration curve with equation and R² value
Determination of the unknown concentration using:

• the hand-drawn graph
• the calibration equation

B. HPLC

Include:

• A table of peak areas for paracetamol and caffeine
• Calculated area ratios
• A hand-drawn calibration curve (area ratio vs concentration)
• An Excel calibration curve with equation and R² value
• Calculation of the unknown concentration, including dilution factor.

C. TLC – Qualitative Analysis

Include:

• Measured distances for spots and solvent front
• Picture of the TLC plate
• Calculated Rf values
• Comparison of the unknown with paracetamol, caffeine and aspirin standards
• A conclusion on the likely identity of the unknown sample

4. Discussion (10 marks)
Your discussion should:

• Comment on the quality of your calibration plots (linearity, R² values)
• Compare paracetamol concentrations obtained by UV–Vis and HPLC
• Use TLC results to support your conclusions
• Identify possible sources of error
• Suggest realistic improvements to the experimental procedure

Presentation and submission requirements

• All graphs must have titles, labelled axes and correct units
• Calculations must be shown clearly
• Hand-drawn graphs must be neat and readable
• The datasheet must be signed and included

Failure to include required components may result in loss of marks.

Learning outcomes assessed

By completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your ability to:

• Apply quantitative analytical techniques
• Construct and interpret calibration curves
• Perform dilution calculations accurately
• Use complementary techniques (UV–Vis, HPLC, TLC) to identify and quantify an analyte

Supportive Resources

Youssef, S. H., Mohamed, D., Hegazy, M. A. M., & Badawey, A. (2019). Analytical methods for the determination of paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and brompheniramine in Comtrex tablets. BMC chemistry, 13(1), 78.

Guide to Referencing in the Assessment

You are expected to use the Harvard referencing style for your Experiment 2 report. In-text citations and a full reference list are required.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided within 3 working weeks of submission.
Written comments will identify strengths and areas for improvement in:

• Pre-lab preparation
• Problem-solving (additional questions)
• Report writing and analysis

Use feedback to improve future practical and written work.

Re-assessment Information

If you do not achieve a minimum overall mark of 40% in the module, you will have the opportunity to complete a reassessment in the summer.