Biological and Medicinal Chemistry MChem

Program Overview

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Overview

Chemists with a good understanding of the biosciences and an ability to apply their chemistry knowledge to biological and medicinal problems are in high demand.

The interface of chemistry and bioscience is one of the leading areas driving 21st century research and development. Science is becoming more and more interdisciplinary as we seek solutions for environmental problems, such as carbon capture and the ability to do greener chemistry, and the development of targeted and personalised medicines.

Many of the most important recent discoveries have been made at the interfaces of chemistry and biology, and chemists are needing to become well versed in both biological and medicinal chemistry. This degree course has evolved to reflect this and will equip you with the traditional tools of organic synthesis and the necessary biology and biochemistry you need to succeed. We will give you hands-on experience across a range of disciplines, even including areas such as computational chemistry to solve medicinal and biological chemistry problems.

The University of Bradford is home to the School of Chemistry and Biosciences, which is one of UKs leading departments working at the interface of the molecular and life sciences. The School has significant expertise in biomaterials, structure, discovery of antibiotics and physiology alongside the traditional chemistry disciplines and students benefit from a unique multi-disciplinary environment. From your very first day as a student in chemistry, you will be taught by scientists working in the School of Chemistry and Biosciences who are actively involved in discovering new drugs and understanding complex biological processes and disease mechanisms.

During the first two years of study you will develop a sound understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, with core content delivered across organic, inorganic, physical and biological chemistry with options in other biosciences.

The third year we will introduce you to specialist content in medicinal chemistry and biological chemistry, including topics such as bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry. Taught components at this level include both chemistry and bioscience modules. You will also have the opportunity to study a specific subject across chemistry and the biosciences to a greater depth during an extended dissertation.

It is possible to exit after stage 3 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry.

In the Master's year you will develop a deeper understanding of the application of chemistry in the life sciences. Master's-level training focuses on developing a depth of knowledge within medicinal and biological chemistry that is linked to real-world problems.  For a significant part of this year you will work on a research project within leading research teams at the interface of chemistry and biosciences.

As a student, you can apply for membership of the

Royal Society of Chemistry

(RSC).

Our BSc and MChem Chemistry programmes received 94% overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2020.

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Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

.

Program Outline

What you will study

All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.

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First year

Organic Chemistry 1

Physical Chemistry 1

Inorganic Chemistry 1

Practical Chemistry 1

Biomolecules and Cells

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Second year

Core

Organic Chemistry 2

Physical Chemistry 2

Inorganic Chemistry 2

Practical Chemistry 2

Option

Human Physiology

Cosmetic Science

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Third year

Molecular Analysis

Bio-organic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry

Advanced Laboratory & Research Skills

Introduction to Polymer Science

Organic Chemistry 3

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Final year

Core

Principles of Drug Discovery

Synthetic Chemistry for Medicinal Chemists

Stage Four Research Project

Option

Computational Medicinal Chemistry

Imaging

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Learning and assessment

You will have a mix of lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, workshops, case studies and directed study.

Directed study will include directed reading of selected textbooks, specified source literature and open learning materials, directed Web-based materials, report writing and other assignments. There will also be an individual project/dissertation.

You will be assessed via written closed-book examinations using constructed (essays, short answers) and selected response (MCQ) questions and a variety of coursework assignments, including laboratory reports, oral presentations and dissertations.

Involvement in laboratory, small-group workshops, case-based work and projects (individual and small group) will also be part of your assessment.

You will be assessed by critical appraisal, case analysis and critique, case presentations, laboratory reports and dissertations.

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Official programme specification

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Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the

Careers

website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

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Career prospects

Biological chemists

examine a wide range of biological processes, biomolecules and biological agents. As a biological chemist, you could end up investigating the effects of a neurotoxin on cell structure or molecular structure. Or, solving the structure of a large protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

You could be researching the molecular basis of disease and then synthesizing a drug to treat that disease. And, there is even room for those who like computers, where you could be using supercomputers to analyse biological systems at the molecular and atomic-level to inform drug design. There really is a wide-range of opportunity.

Medicinal chemists

examine new ways to create drugs we’ve not yet seen. This can cover a whole host of molecule types: small organic drug molecules, peptide-based drugs, peptidomimetics, and even bioinorganic drugs.

As a medicinal chemist you will be working with biologists and synthesizing new drug molecules to treat disease. You will need to have a good understanding of biology to design drugs that can interact with key biomolecules in our bodies. Some medicinal chemists learn to harness biological systems, such as enzymes, to extract natural products and create semi-synthetic drugs.

Chemists are attractive to employers both for the skills that they offer directly related to their specialism, and for the professional skills that they have developed through study of the discipline. The range of careers available to chemists is vast – take a look at the

Royal Society of Chemistry careers guide

to get some ideas.

Find out more about our recent graduates >>