Medicinal Chemistry (P02038)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : MED-P-P02038

The key underpinning discipline for any medicinal chemist involved in the discovery of new drugs is a solid grounding in organic synthesis. To this end this course will provide students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge in the field of medicinal chemistry by attendance at core lectures in Industrial Medicinal Chemistry (5 lectures), and Advanced Heterocyclic Chemistry (5 lectures). This training will be augmented by attendance at an additional 10 lectures with options in Structure Based Drug Design (10 lectures), Metals in Medicine (10 lectures), Case Studies in Medicinal Chemistry (10 lectures), Biocatalysis in Synthesis (5 lectures), Molecular Enzymology (5 lectures), Carbohydrates (5 lectures), and Bioinorganic Chemistry (5 lectures). Students will conduct a mini-project in medicinal chemistry; thus acquiring expertise in the hands-on practical research skills required for at least one of the drug discovery techniques listed above.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Life Sciences, (Medicine, Schedule R)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Blocks 1-3

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course students should: i.) have a thorough knowledge of medicinal chemistry relevant to their mini-project through attendance at lectures and seminars; and ii.) be able to make a critical appraisal of key material in the literature, accurately reporting the work already done and its significance and hence be able to place their own mini-project in its context.

Assessment Information

Students will produce a report at the end of the mini-project for assessment in the form of a scientific paper (no more than 5000 words) to provide practice in accurate and concise writing. The miniproject report should be prepared to high standard. Students will also be asked to include in this report a brief critique, spelling out the strengths and weaknesses of the project design or experimental approach.