Program Overview
This three-year Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) program equips students with comprehensive knowledge in chemistry, pharmacology, and biomedical sciences. It emphasizes pharmaceutical applications and is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Graduates are prepared for various careers in the pharmaceutical industry, research, and other science-related fields, with many pursuing roles as Assistant Analysts, Development Chemists, or Research Assistants.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) degree program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of chemistry, particularly in the context of medicinal applications. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry or for further postgraduate studies. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in all aspects of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. It also incorporates a significant focus on pharmacology and biomedical sciences, allowing students to apply their chemical knowledge to pharmaceutical problems. The program is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), ensuring that graduates meet the high standards required for a successful career in the field.
Outline:
The Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) program is a three-year full-time program. The first two years of the program are identical to the MChem Chemistry with Pharmacology (F1BF) program. Students take designated modules in biomedical and biological sciences and medicinal chemistry.
Year One:
- Compulsory Modules:
- Foundations of Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM141): Introduces the principles of medicinal chemistry and its applications in cellular biology.
- Introductory Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM111): Covers the chemistry of main group elements and develops analytical chemistry skills.
- Introductory Organic Chemistry (CHEM130): Provides an introduction to organic chemistry through lectures, workshops, and laboratory classes.
- Introductory Physical Chemistry (CHEM152): Builds on thermodynamics and kinetics, incorporating problem-solving workshops and laboratory experiments.
- Introductory Spectroscopy (CHEM170): Introduces various spectroscopic techniques, covering theory, practical applications, and spectral interpretation.
- Key Skills for Chemists 1 (CHEM180): Develops quantitative transferable skills, broadens perspectives on chemistry, and focuses on communication and employability.
- Introductory Physiology and Pharmacology for Chemists (CHEM142): Introduces physiology and pharmacology, covering human body systems, their control, and drug action.
Year Two:
- Compulsory Modules:
- Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry of the d-Block Metals (CHEM214): Covers coordination and organometallic chemistry of d-block metals.
- Key Skills for Chemists 2 (CHEM280): Further develops quantitative skills, introduces molecular modeling, and enhances transferable and employability skills.
- Measurements in Chemistry (CHEM246): Focuses on practical measurements, data analysis, and application of measurements to chemical phenomena.
- Organic Chemistry II (CHEM231): Covers carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, synthetic frameworks, and stereochemical issues.
- Physical Chemistry II (CHEM260): Expands on Year 1 physical chemistry, covering thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy, and quantum mechanics.
- PRACTICAL PHARMACOLOGY (LIFE234): Provides practical experience in pharmacological techniques and develops specialist skills for project work.
- Preparative Chemistry: Synthesis and Characterisation (CHEM245): Covers synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic compounds, introducing various techniques and analytical methods.
- Principles of Pharmacology (LIFE207): Covers quantitative aspects of drug action, drug efficacy, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and receptor molecular biology.
Year Three:
- Compulsory Modules:
- ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY FOR CHEMISTS (LIFE348): Reinforces chemotherapy principles and extends their application to viral and parasitic diseases.
- DRUG ACTION (LIFE206): Covers cardiovascular, endocrine, and central nervous systems, drug interactions with physiological processes, and drug development.
- Further Organic Chemistry (CHEM333): Extends Year 2 organic chemistry, covering pericyclic reactions, rearrangements, radical reactions, palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions, and the use of phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium in synthetic chemistry.
- Heterocyclic Chemistry and Drug Synthesis (CHEM338): Covers the synthesis and reactivity of heterocyclic compounds and drug classes.
- Medicinal Chemistry of Anti-Infectives (CHEM335): Introduces the principles of medicinal chemistry for anti-infective drugs.
- Practical Chemistry Yr3 (BSc) (CHEM365): Provides advanced experiments in organic, inorganic, physical, or computational chemistry.
- Final Year Research Projects (CHEM370): Involves a group research-based mini-project in the first semester and an extended individual research project in the second semester.
- Optional Modules:
- Biorenewable Chemicals from Biomass (CHEM384): Covers the utilization of biomass and renewable feedstocks in the renewable chemicals industry.
- Chemistry for Sustainable Technologies (CHEM284): Introduces sustainability concepts, green chemistry, and renewable energy and chemicals.
- Inorganic Applications of Group Theory (CHEM316): Applies group theory to understand spectroscopic selection rules and bonding.
- Chemistry Research Internship (CHEM309): Provides experience in a research environment outside the Department of Chemistry.
- Applied Analytical Chemistry (CHEM286): Introduces the principles of instrumental analytical techniques.
- Further Analytical Chemistry (CHEM386): Covers structural elucidation and application of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques for molecular analysis.
- Biological Energy Conversion Processes (CHEM382): Focuses on energy conversion processes in nature, including sustainability issues.
- STEM Education and Communication (CHEM390): Provides experience in communicating science in various media and contexts.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a combination of examinations, laboratory practicals, class tests, workshops, tutorials, and assignments. Examinations are held at the end of each semester (January and May/June). Students must pass each year of study to progress to the next year. Re-sit opportunities are available in September at the end of years one and two.
Teaching:
The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, tutorials, laboratory classes, and project work. The Department of Chemistry is committed to research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment.
Careers:
Graduates from the Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) program are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in the pharmaceutical industry, research, and other science-related fields.
Typical Careers:
- Assistant Analyst
- Development Chemist
- Research Assistant
- Site Chemist
Recent Employers:
- AstraZeneca
- GlaxoSmithKline
- IOTA Nansolutions Ltd
- Johnson Matthey
- Perstorp Caprolactones
- Shell
- Towers Watson
- Unilever
- United Utilities
Other:
The program offers opportunities for students to gain practical experience through laboratory work, research projects, and potential year-long industry placements. The Department of Chemistry also provides career and employability support, including help with career planning, job market understanding, and networking skills. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing students to tailor their degree to their interests through optional modules and global opportunities, such as year abroad or semester abroad programs.
|Year | UK Tuition Fees | International Fees | Year in Industry Fee | Year Abroad Fee | | ----------- | ----------- | ----------- | ----------- | ----------- | | Full-time place, per year | £9,250 | £27,200 | £1,850 | £1,385 | | | | | | £13,600 |
