Integration of particle technology with pharmaceutical industry applications in the chemical engineering undergraduate curriculum and K-12 education

Rowan University, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Engineering Research Center for Structured Organic Particulate Systems (C-SOPS), is developing teaching modules and problem sets to introduce students to engineering concepts in the particle and powder technology of pharmaceutical processing and drug delivery systems. The Center is hosted by Rutgers University and also includes Purdue University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez. The goal of the Center is to become a national focal point for developing structured organic particulate systems used in pharmaceuticals and their manufacturing processes. Rowan University has partnered as an outreach/education member institution to develop teaching modules for K-12 and college level students. The Rowan University efforts have focused on mobile, hands-on teaching modules and problem sets for use in engineering courses. A pneumatic transport mobile experimental unit has been designed and constructed for use in fluid mechanics courses and for K-12 outreach activities, workshops and summer camps. The unit can be used for demonstrations and for laboratory experiments. Students can apply energy balance principles to calculate velocities and drag forces. The use of this unit in the Rowan Engineers-on-Wheels Program will be highlighted. The problem sets developed as part of this work focus on the integration of pharmaceutical technology into introductory-level chemical engineering courses. These problem set modules include topics covering terminology, formulation and manufacturing techniques for personal care products, over the counter medicines and prescription drugs. The problems are organized for use in a material and energy balance course, and cover a wide range of subjects from simple mass balances to heats of formation. The completed educational materials will be incorporated into the C-SOPS website for use by Center members and faculty at other schools. This work will serve to expand and strengthen the educational impact of the Center in the region and throughout the country.