Program Overview

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MSc Natural Products Discovery

About this course

This new MSc is designed to train graduates to fulfil the increased worldwide demand for experts in the development of natural medicine.

• Enrol on this research-led course specialising in the discovery, formulation and analysis of natural medicines
• Gain an in-depth understanding of the stepwise approach for the discovery of drugs from natural sources, semi-synthesis and/or total synthesis of their analogues and the formulation and quality control of natural medicines used for the treatment and management of diseases
• Use state-of-the-art equipment
• Explore the latest developments in the field with student-led sessions, seminars and workshops
• Prepare for competitive jobs in pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic companies
• Provides hands-on experience in the effects and formulation of natural ingredients for the wellness industry (supplements and cosmetics)

The Natural Products Discovery MSc focuses on the extraction, isolation and identification of natural products for use in modern medicines, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. One of just a handful of courses of this type in the world, this masters is taught by leading experts in the field.

This is a very practical based programme and you will have access to state-of-the-art instruments including: 300 and 600 MHz NMR, UV, IR, HPLC, UPLC, GC-MS and LC-MS, X-Ray crystallography, analytical and preparative HPLCs with various detectors, microscopy suits and several in vitro and ex vivo bioassay facilities.

As a student on the programme you will have access to the Research Centre for Natural Products Discovery which was founded at LJMU in 2019. The Centre is a unique platform for multidisciplinary and collaborative research, incorporating various aspects of synthetic organic medicinal chemistry, natural products drug discovery, photochemistry, nutraceuticals and food supplements, pharmacology and toxicology.

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.

Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.

Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.

Your programme is made up of a number of core modules and a Research Project.

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

• Research Methods (20 credits)
  • Gain the necessary core skills to effectively design, plan, perform and report scientific research.
• Analytical Techniques in Natural Products (20 credits)
  • This module covers: techniques used for the extraction (cold extraction, Soxhlet extraction and fractional distillation) of natural products, chromatographic techniques (Flash Chromatography, Column Chromatography, TLC, Analytical and preparative HPLC, GC, GC-MS, LC-MS) for the isolation and purification of compounds and spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D & 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography) for the identification of compounds.
• Natural Products Formulation (20 credits)
  • This module covers natural products in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetic science focusing on the formulation, manufacturing and quality control of natural products in various dosage forms e.g. tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, ointments, lotions, shampoos, etc.
• Natural Products Pharmacology and Toxicology (20 credits)
  • This module covers traditional medicine, sources of natural antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimalarial and antioxidants compounds.
• Approaches to Natural Products Discovery (20 credits)
  • This module covers the systematic approach in drug discovery from natural sources, from the rain forest to the deep oceans and how we sustainably scale up their obtention in full adherence to the biodiversity conventions.
• Natural Products Chemistry (20 credits)
  • This module covers the main classes of natural products, their chemical and physical behaviour and total/semi-synthesis.

Optional modules

• Research Project (60 credits)
  • This module will provide you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner.
• Placement Project (60 credits)
  • This module will provide you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner at an external placement provider.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

• Teaching methods
  • You will learn via lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, lab-based practicals and external visits as well as the practical research project.
• Applied learning
  • The focus of the programme is on practical work and learning through lab experience. By the end of the course you will have the skills you need to operate complex instrumentation in this area.
• How learning is monitored on your programme
  • To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
• With traditional exams testing course knowledge and lab reports assessing practical work, there is a balance of theoretical and practical assessment on this course. You will also create a portfolio during your studies to chart your development.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

• LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
• Graduates with adequate skills in natural drug discovery and hands-on experience in operating state-of-the-art equipment would be well placed in Pharmaceutical, Phytopharmaceutical, Chemical, food and cosmetic industries and also in the regulatory sector and academia. There is also an increasing demand for Masters level students in the general business sector. Skills such as formulating a well-justified case, using carefully assessed data sources, planning and executing projects etc are highly useful generic skills. Some graduates may prefer to continue their studies in the area of Natural Products at PhD level rather than embark on a career in industry.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Fee: £10,705

International

• Fee: £18,250

Entry requirements

You will need:

• A minimum 2:2 honours degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, chemistry or a related field
• Relevant work experience
• Alternative qualifications with a significant period of relevant work experience
• IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

• To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.