Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

This BSc (Hons) in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry equips students with a comprehensive understanding of chemistry and its application in drug development. Through a blend of academic rigor and practical experience, the program prepares graduates for careers in the pharmaceutical industry or further academic pursuits in medicinal chemistry. The program emphasizes research skills, critical thinking, and ethical considerations in drug development, ensuring graduates meet the highest standards of professionalism and knowledge.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

This BSc (Hons) program in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry provides students with a thorough understanding of the principles underpinning chemistry and its application in the pharmaceutical industry. The four-year program emphasizes the research and development cycle of medicinal chemistry, including the identification of new chemical entities, their synthesis, preclinical biological evaluation, and drug development. The program offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience through a combination of lectures, seminars, independent study, group work, supervision, workshops, laboratory work, and practical sessions.

Objectives:

• Equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to understand the chemical processes involved in drug development.
• Enable students to apply their knowledge and design, synthesize, and evaluate new drug candidates.
• Develop students' research skills through investigative projects and independent research.
• Foster critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Enhance communication and teamwork skills through group projects and presentations.
• Prepare students for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry or further academic pursuits in medicinal chemistry.

Outline:

Year 1: Fundamentals and Core Chemistry

• Laboratory and Computer Skills 1: Acquiring essential laboratory skills and gaining experience using fundamental software tools for information analysis and data visualization.
• Laboratory and Computer Skills 2: Building upon the skills learned in Year 1, focusing on more advanced practical techniques and software applications.
• Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry: Exploring the principles of thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum theory, and their applications to the understanding of chemical and physical phenomena.
• Fundamental Synthetic Chemistry: Understanding the fundamental principles of organic and inorganic chemistry, including core reactions and synthetic strategies.
• Spectroscopy and Analysis 1: Introduction to spectroscopic techniques and analytical methods, their applications in the characterization and identification of chemical compounds.
• Structure and Reactivity 1: Delving into the fundamental concepts of chemical structure and reactivity, focusing on how they influence the properties and behavior of organic and inorganic molecules.
• Energetics and Equilibria 1: Introduction to chemical thermodynamics and equilibrium principles, their application in understanding chemical and physical changes.
• Structure and Reactivity 2: Building upon the foundation established in Year 1, focusing on more advanced topics in organic and inorganic chemistry, including reaction mechanisms and selective synthesis.

Year 2: Advanced Topics and Pharmaceutical Applications

• Principles of Biological Chemistry MPC Option: Introducing the fundamentals of biochemistry, focusing on the structure and function of biological molecules, metabolic pathways, and human physiology.
• Structural Characterization, Spectroscopy and Analysis: Learning advanced spectroscopic techniques and analytical methods for the elucidation of chemical structures and characterization of pharmaceutical compounds.
• Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Quanta: Exploring advanced topics in physical chemistry, including electrochemistry, photochemistry, and computational methods.
• Structure and Reactivity 2: Expanding the knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry, exploring advanced topics like heterocyclic chemistry, organometallics, and bioinorganic chemistry.
• Investigative Projects for Medicinal Chemists: Conducting research projects focused on drug design, synthesis, or evaluation, developing research skills and scientific writing abilities.

Final Year: Advanced Research and Professional Development

• Modern Aspects of Organic Chemistry: Investigating modern methods and techniques used in organic synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, catalysis, and combinatorial chemistry.
• Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism: Learning about the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in the human body, including their interaction with pharmacokinetic models.
• Science Communication: Developing skills in communicating scientific research effectively to a range of audiences, including both scientific and non-scientific communities.
• Current Trends in Inorganic Chemistry:Exploring the latest advancements and research areas in inorganic chemistry, including bioinorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, and coordination chemistry.
• Optional Research Project: Conducting a research project in a specialized area of medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry, culminating in a dissertation and presentation.
• Optional Internship: Gaining valuable real-world experience by spending a year working in a pharmaceutical company or research institute.

Assessment:

• A combination of examinations and coursework is used to assess students' understanding and application of the material.
• Examinations may consist of written papers, practical assessments, and oral presentations.
• Coursework typically includes laboratory reports, essays, presentations, and group projects.
• Dissertation or research project assessed based on the quality of research, analysis, and writing.
• Final degree classification determined by the weighted average of marks obtained in Years 2 and 3.

Teaching:

• The program is delivered by a dedicated team of academics and researchers with extensive experience in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.
• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, laboratory sessions, and independent study.
• Emphasis on student-centered learning, encouraging active participation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Opportunities for individual and group projects, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
• Utilization of modern teaching technologies and resources to enhance the learning experience.

Careers:

• Graduates of this program are well-equipped to pursue careers in the pharmaceutical industry, research institutions, or government agencies.
• Potential career paths include:
• Medicinal Chemist
• Synthetic Organic Chemist
• Analytical Chemist
• Toxicology Scientist
• Pharmacokineticist
• Clinical Research Scientist
• Patent Attorney
• Science Writer
• Science Teacher
• The program also prepares students for further academic pursuits such as postgraduate research or a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry or related fields.
• Graduates of this program are highly sought-after by employers due to their strong foundation in chemistry, research skills, and practical experience.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, ensuring that graduates meet the highest standards of professionalism and knowledge.
• The program includes a strong emphasis on ethical considerations in drug development and research.
• Students have opportunities to participate in research projects with internationally renowned academics.
• The program provides access to excellent facilities, including modern research laboratories, computer labs, and a dedicated library.

University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment.

UK fees

Full-time course per annum £9,250 Placement year Approx. 20% of the full-time fee

International fees

Full-time course per annum £28,600 Placement year Approx. 20% of the full-time fee Additional costs This course doesn’t cover the cost of stationary, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need. Protective clothing (lab coat and safety glasses) is provided.