Program Overview

---

Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons)

Overview

Medicinal chemistry covers concepts in the fields of chemistry, pharmacology, chemical synthesis, and protein biochemistry. You will study how small molecules are designed, extracted, modified, and synthesized to generate therapeutics. You will also explore how these molecules interact with their targets within the cell.

Why us?

• Available as a 4-year sandwich course, where you can undertake a one-year industrial placement
• This unique course makes extensive use of the new advanced technology within our Sciences Complex
• Teaching staff are research-active and have close links to industry and research institutes working in molecular sciences
• The University has over 100 years of expertise in teaching biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences

Course Structure

Our teaching methods address different learning styles and provide a diverse learning experience. The course integrates traditional lecture and laboratory-based learning with active, experiential, and enquiry-based learning.

You will be taught via laboratory practical work, tutorials, lectures, seminars, group work, and e-learning. We also encourage you to develop independent study skills.

This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science, which allows you to easily change course at the end of the first year should one of these routes appeal to you.

Modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

• Introduction to Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (20 credits)
• Introduction to Cell Biology and Biochemistry (20 credits)
• Introduction to Analytical Science (20 credits)
• Introduction to Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical Regulation (20 credits)
• Practical and Research Skills in Biopharmaceutical Science (40 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Organic Chemistry (20 credits)
• Genetics and Biotechnology (20 credits)
• Further Analytical Chemistry (20 credits)
• Further Research and Practical Skills in Biopharmaceutical Science (40 credits)
• Introductory Medicinal Chemistry (20 credits)

For Medicinal Chemistry (sandwich):

• Industrial Placement (120 credits)

Final year (national level 6)

• Research Project (40 credits)
• Advanced Chemistry (20 credits)
• Advanced Biotechnology and Biochemistry (20 credits)
• Medicinal Chemistry (20 credits)
• Advanced Drug Synthesis (20 credits)

Facilities

This course is based in The John Dawson Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which boasts excellent laboratories and cutting-edge equipment thanks to multi-million-pound investments.

Entry Requirements

Our typical offer is:

• Irish Leaving Certificate: 112 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
• QQI/FETAC 5: Pass profile overall. For entry, we also require H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths and English from Irish Leaving Certificate.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland.

A Levels must include Chemistry. Please note we do not accept General Studies AS or A Level. We accept T Level Science only.

Fees and Finance

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

Career Ready

Medicinal chemists are employed in an increasingly wide range of roles in drug development and pharmaceutical companies. Companies that have employed our graduates include pharmaceutical multinationals such as GSK, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.

According to Prospects, the typical starting salary for a graduate medicinal chemist is between £22,750 and £33,000. With experience, the salary range for medicinal chemists is between £38,300 and £83,000, and general managers can earn an average salary of £82,000.

Placements

The employability of Sunderland graduates reflects our mix of academic rigour and practical skills. To enhance this mix, we encourage you to apply to undertake a one-year placement between your second and final year.

Placements provide an invaluable opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. As part of the course, you will also make several industry visits.

Transferable Skills

This course gives you the opportunity to develop skills which you can use in a range of employment situations including:

• Academic study skills: avoiding plagiarism, time management, reading, note-taking, referencing, revision analysis, and scientific writing.
• Practical skills: laboratory competency, experimental skills, and techniques.
• Transferable skills: numeracy, analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, self-management, and organisation, application of IT, consideration of ethical and safety requirements, critical thinking, personal development planning, and reflection.