| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-23 | 2023-07-04 |
| 2024-01-23 | - |
Program Overview
Develop expertise and specialist practical skills in drug discovery science, from target identification through to getting a drug to market.
Developed in consultation with industry experts, this course is aimed at students with a background in chemistry, biosciences, pharmacy or pharmacology who are looking to move into the exciting field of drug development.
You will become familiar with a range of concepts and research techniques in drug discovery including target identification and validation, screening platforms, optimisation of small molecule drugs and biotherapeutics, and the importance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Depending on your undergraduate degree, you will also follow either a biology or chemistry training track alongside your drug discovery studies. This will enable you to gain a strong background in both disciplines, strengthening your subject-related and practical skills appropriate to your career aspirations.
Course highlights
Research projects
To ensure you graduate well equipped with the necessary research skills for a career in drug discovery you'll undertake an in-depth, full-time research project giving you valuable experimental experience.
Recent project examples include:
Career prospects
As a Drug Discovery graduate, you’ll be well equipped for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or for further postgraduate study and research in medicinal chemistry, biomedical sciences and pharmacology. Our dedicated careers team offers individual guidance and help you decide between employment and further study.
93% our UK-based graduates are in high-skilled employment 15 months after leaving the University. Recent graduates are working in a range of companies as research scientists, as well as in roles such as process chemist, bioanalytical scientist, and Regulatory Affairs Officer.
Find out more on maximising your employability while at Bath.
Find out more about studying at Bath:
Develop expertise and specialist practical skills in drug discovery science, from target identification through to getting a drug to market.
Developed in consultation with industry experts, this course is aimed at students with a background in chemistry, biosciences, pharmacy or pharmacology who are looking to move into the exciting field of drug development.
You will become familiar with a range of concepts and research techniques in drug discovery including target identification and validation, screening platforms, optimisation of small molecule drugs and biotherapeutics, and the importance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Depending on your undergraduate degree, you will also follow either a biology or chemistry training track alongside your drug discovery studies. This will enable you to gain a strong background in both disciplines, strengthening your subject-related and practical skills appropriate to your career aspirations.
Course highlights
Research projects
To ensure you graduate well equipped with the necessary research skills for a career in drug discovery you'll undertake an in-depth, full-time research project giving you valuable experimental experience.
Recent project examples include:
Career prospects
As a Drug Discovery graduate, you’ll be well equipped for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or for further postgraduate study and research in medicinal chemistry, biomedical sciences and pharmacology. Our dedicated careers team offers individual guidance and help you decide between employment and further study.
93% our UK-based graduates are in high-skilled employment 15 months after leaving the University. Recent graduates are working in a range of companies as research scientists, as well as in roles such as process chemist, bioanalytical scientist, and Regulatory Affairs Officer.
Find out more on maximising your employability while at Bath.
Find out more about studying at Bath:
Program Outline
Course structure
This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2023 and ends in 2024. Welcome week starts on 25 September 2023.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Compulsory course units
These compulsory units are currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.
Semester 1
Plus choose one from:
Semester 2
Summer
Optional course units
These are examples of optional units currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.
Learning and assessment
You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.
Learning
Assessment
Contact hours and workload
Overall workload
You should expect to spend approximately 35 to 40 hours a week studying on your course. These hours consist of structured activities and independent learning. You will experience a mix of in person teaching, that will take place on campus, and structured online learning delivered through the University’s virtual learning environment.
Structured learning activities
Typically, you can expect to spend between 15 to 20 hours on structured learning activities per week, of which approximately 60 to 90% will be in timetabled sessions on campus, and the remainder online.
In-person teaching and online activities
Timetabled sessions delivered in person on campus will be a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and practical laboratories. Online activities may include following a recorded lecture, or other learning materials, or joining a timetabled live interactive session through Teams or Zoom.
Independent learning
The remainder of your time outside these structured activities will be spent in independent learning which includes individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams.
To support you in your studies you will be able to access, outside of timetabled learning, facilities on campus and in Bath such as study spaces, computers, and the Library.
Recognition of professional qualifications
As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).
The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.
