MSc Medicinal Chemistry

This course may be taken on a one-year full-time or three-year part-time basis.

There are two parts to the degree. Part one is comprised of core and optional taught modules which you will take during the autumn and spring semesters. In these modules, we will provide you with a foundation in the skills required by contemporary medicinal chemists, such as the techniques and trends in modern drug discovery. We will also look in more detail at the modelling of biological macromolecules and drug targets. We will then follow the process of drug development from laboratory to clinic.

Upon successful completion of part one, you will progress to part two, the summer research project. We will make a range of project options available to you from the field of medicinal chemistry. For this project, depending on the subject you choose, you may work with a research group in the School of Chemistry or our partner, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Studies. You may, if available, also be able to complete this project with one of our industrial partners or within another academic institution in the UK or abroad.

Core Modules for Year One

• Colloquium
• Key Skills for Postgraduate Chemists
• Drug Discovery Chemistry
• Techniques in Drug Discovery
• Drug Targets
• Drug Development from Laboratory to Clinic
• Trends in Drug Discovery
• Practical Medicinal Chemistry
• Research Project

Optional Modules for Year One

• Structure and Mechanism in Organic Chemistry
• Biocatalysis I: Modern Approaches to Biocatalysts
• Bioinorganic Chemistry
• Analytical and Structural Techniques in Chemical Biology
• Bio-imaging Applications of Coordination Chemistry
• Molecular Modelling
• Molecular Modelling for Postgraduate Chemists
• Engineering Biosynthesis

How Will I Be Assessed?

Taught modules are assessed in a variety of different ways depending on the module content and learning outcomes (found in the module descriptions). We use coursework, assessed workshops and presentations or a combination of these to assess your progress on the course.

Your research project at the end of the course will be assessed through a dissertation, a presentation, and an oral exam.

What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?

On completing the course you will have developed key skills, which can be applied to a variety of industrial and academic working environments. You will have gained learning skills, information handling and presentation skills. In detail you should be able to:

• Understand the theory, application, preparation and analysis of drug molecules to a level that is appropriate for graduates in chemistry or pharmaceutical sciences wishing to pursue a career in academia or industry
• Apply modern laboratory methods to the preparation, purification, evolution and application of drug molecules
• Understand the mechanism of action of a variety of molecules as therapeutic agents and apply this knowledge to unseen problems
• Use molecular modelling to implement drug design
• Critically evaluate novel drug targeting strategies and industry trends
• Describe how new technologies are being employed to increase productivity in drug discovery
• Describe and explain trends in drug approvals and drugs currently in the pipeline
• Understand where medicinal chemistry fits within the context of the pharmaceutical industry
• Work within a team to research solutions to unsolved problems in medicinal chemistry
• Present research work to peers in both oral and written format

Graduates are well suited to take up roles in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotech industries and in academia conducting research into new drugs. Our graduates pursue research-related roles within public and private research institutions, academic institutions, or hospital laboratories.

This course is also particularly suitable for those wishing to pursue further study at PhD level at Cardiff University and other top universities.

How will I be Taught?

The methods of teaching we employ will vary from module to module, as appropriate depending on the subject matter and the method of assessment. We teach using a mixture of lectures, workshops, case studies, computer-aided sessions, practicals and tutorials.

Your research project will be carried out in one of our laboratories under the supervision of an academic member of staff with interests in a similar field. You may have the opportunity to complete your project during a placement in industry or with one of our academic partner institutions overseas, depending on availability.

Modules relating to computing frequently take place in our computer rooms, while practical work will be undertaken in our laboratories. We will also invite industry experts for seminars with our students within one of the core modules. Students will also benefit from the weekly seminars organized by the School of Chemistry, where leading experts in various scientific fields are invited to present their work.