Programme Specification
BSc Medicinal Chemistry
Academic Year 2022/23
A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.
| Programme Title | BSc Medicinal Chemistry | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Bachelor of Science | |||||||||||
| Programme Code | MDC-BSC-S | UCAS Code | F150 | HECoS Code |
100420 - Medicinal chemistry - 100 |
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| ATAS Clearance Required | No | |||||||||||||
| Mode of Study | Full Time | |||||||||||||
| Type of Programme | Single Honours | Length of Programme |
Full Time - 3 Academic Years |
Total Credits for Programme | 360 | |||||||||
| Exit Awards available | No | |||||||||||||
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
Chemistry & Chemical Engineering |
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Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 6 |
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Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
Chemistry |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
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Royal Society of Chemistry |
Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 08-02-22 |
Regulation Information
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Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations |
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Programme Specific Regulations Students with a minimum average of 55% at Stage 2 and a minimum weighted average of 55% across stages 1 and 2 will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the MSci in Medicinal Chemistry Programme. |
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Students with protected characteristics |
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Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) No |
Educational Aims Of Programme
Understand the core principles of chemistry with an emphasis on drug design and synthetic chemistry towards medicinal applications.
Progress directly to graduate level employment in the pharmaceutical industry and other chemistry and non-chemistry related industries.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Solve previously 'unseen' scientific problems using a range of analytical and deductive techniques |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; class tests and problem solving sessions; structured group and independent laboratory classes; guided independent study. Unseen problems are introduced with tutorial and post-laboratory questions in all topics at Stages 1 and 2 and increase in complexity into level 3 leading to the design of experiments and data acquisition to solve research questions Methods of Assessment Written examinations; project or extended experimental work dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports; |
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Develop and use reflective practices to provide practical solutions to problems by experimentation |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project or extended experimental work; group problem solving exercises; guided independent study. Reflective practices are developed through feedback from experimental reports, tutorial work and formative/summative class tests. By Stage 3, students are routinely applying reflective experimental design principles to their research project or extended practical programmes Methods of Assessment Written examinations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports |
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Critically review and reflect upon their work |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project or extended experimental work; group problem solving exercises. The same principles of developing these critical analysis and review techniques as the previous Outcome apply here Methods of Assessment Written examinations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports |
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Make value judgments on information in the public domain |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Essays; literature searching and research project or extended experimental work dissertation. Retrieval of subject-specific material from primary literature and public domain sources are developed through essays and particularly through the group problem solving exercises which rely on critical analysis of published material Methods of Assessment Group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations. |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Demonstrate numeracy and literacy skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and workshops; structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project or extended experimental work; group problem solving exercises. Students enter the degree pathway with different levels of mathematics and there is an emphasis in Stage 1 of bringing all students to a core threshold of mathematical skills through lectures and workshops. Scientific literacy is developed through increasingly challenging and rigorous experimental reports as students progress from Stage 1 to their project extended practical dissertation Methods of Assessment Written examinations; project or extended experimental work dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports; |
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Work within a team based environment and employ interpersonal skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Research project or extended experimental work; group problem solving exercises. Team work starts in Stage 1 where students work in small groups in some of the laboratory classes and learn the importance of division of tasks and reliance on shared data. A centrepiece of the group exercise strategy is the extended group process design problem solving exercise at Stage 2 leading to the research project or extended practical module at Stage 3 which requires students to work effectively in existing post-graduate research groups Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations |
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Effectively exert generic problem-solving skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; class tests and problem solving sessions; group problem solving exercises; guided independent study. Problem solving skills are central to this degree programme and are incorporated to a greater or lesser extent in all activities at all Stages Methods of Assessment Written examinations; project or extended experimental work dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports |
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Manage time effectively and prioritise workloads |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies research project or extended experimental work; coursework deadlines, project goals, milestones and submission targets provide a framework for developing these skills Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; |
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communicate effectively with colleagues and others using both written and oral methods |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Research project or extended experimental work and dissertation; group problem solving. exercises; oral and poster presentations Written and oral presentation skills are introduced at Stage 1 through regular tutorials and a poster session on a given topic and are developed further through Stages 2 and 3 with several modules requiring oral or poster presentations and written essays and dissertations. The importance of scientific rigour in the defence of arguments is developed through these exercises Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations |
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Demonstrate data analysis and processing techniques |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project or extended experimental work and dissertation; class tests and problem solving sessions; guided independent study. The processing of complex sets of information and data is developed from simple experimental results interpretation in Stage 1 through to unknown data processing in the research project or extended practical work in Stage 3. Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Read, understand and assimilate new information and subsume acquired knowledge into a concise manner and within various settings |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project or extended experimental work; essays and dissertations. The ability to extract, process, understand and critically analyse published material is a core key skill in this degree programme and the techniques are embedded into the course from Stage 1 to 3 using the methods listed above Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; project or extended experimental work dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports; |
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Apply developed generic and subject specific IT skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorial; IT and computer skills workshops; experimental reports; research project or extended experimental work; essays and dissertations; guided independent study. Basic IT skills for the production of professional reports using subject specific software, such as chemical structure drawing and data analysis, are introduced through workshops and computer-based classes and then developed through experimental reports and essays and dissertations Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; project or extended experimental work dissertations; computer-based workshop or online assessment; experimental reports; |
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Be proficient in database and literature searching techniques |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Essays; literature searching and research project or extended experimental work dissertation; group problem solving exercises; guided independent study. Awareness of the body of published scientific work and the tools to interrogate and access that information begins in Stage 1 and is developed to the point where students use the available search techniques routinely for their research project or extended practical work in Stage 3 Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations |
Learning Outcomes: Subject SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the fundamental aspects of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project or extended experimental work; essays and dissertations; guided independent study; These subject-specific skills are developed from fundamental concepts in Stages 1 and 2 to the application of the concepts in industrially and commercially relevant contexts in Stages 3 and 4 where a degree of specialisation is available Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; project or extended experimental work dissertations; experimental reports |
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Understand the characteristic chemistry and properties of the elements and group relationships and trends within the periodic table |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; structured group and independent laboratory classes; essays and dissertations; guided independent study. See previous Learning Outcome for details of strategy Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; project or extended experimental work dissertations; experimental reports |
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Demonstrate a knowledge of chemical bonding, shape and structure |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; structured group and independent laboratory classes; essays and dissertations; independent guided study. See previous Learning Outcome for details of strategy Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; project or extended experimental work dissertations; experimental reports |
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Understand the chemistry of functional groups and major synthetic pathways in organic chemistry. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; structured group and independent laboratory classes; essays and dissertations; guided independent study. See previous Learning Outcome for details of strategy Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; project or extended experimental work dissertations; experimental reports |
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Understand the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics, including catalysis and the mechanistic interpretation of chemical reactions |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; structured group and independent laboratory classes; essays and dissertations; guided independent study. See previous Learning Outcome for details of strategy Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; project or extended experimental work dissertations; experimental reports |
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Demonstrate safe and proficient practical laboratory chemistry skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project. Chemistry is essentially an experimental, laboratory-based subject and experimental work forms at least 25% of the degree in terms of teaching and assessment. Developing the skills to handle potentially dangerous materials and processes is central to all laboratory-based activities Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports |
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Be proficient in a range of analytical instrumentation |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Structured group and independent laboratory classes; research project or extended experimental work; group problem solving exercises. Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; oral and poster presentations; experimental reports |
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Implement sustainable industrial practices using Green Chemistry principles |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials; group problem solving exercises; guided independent study. Sustainability and Green Chemistry are delivered through the group process design exercise which uses experiential problem solving and scientific literature critical analysis as a more effective method to teach these concepts than the traditional lecture model of delivery Methods of Assessment Project or extended experimental work dissertations; group and individual dissertations; |
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Understand the general concepts used in drug design related to the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of putative therapeutic agents |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and workshops; guided independent study and literature review. Strategy as in previous learning outcome Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; essay; experimental reports |
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Understand the mechanisms of the modes of action of the major classes of drugs |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and workshops; guided independent study and literature review. Strategy as in previous learning outcome Methods of Assessment Written examinations; class tests; essay; experimental reports |
Module Information
Stages and Modules
| Module Title | Module Code | Level/ stage | Credits | Availability |
Duration | Pre-requisite | Assessment |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | S2 | Core | Option | Coursework % | Practical % | Examination % | ||||||
| Inorganic Chemistry Level 1 | CHM1102 | 1 | 30 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | -- | 15% | 35% | 50% |
| Organic Chemistry Level 1 | CHM1101 | 1 | 30 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | -- | 15% | 15% | 70% |
| Physical Theory | CCE1102 | 1 | 30 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | -- | 15% | 25% | 60% |
| Introductory Mathematics for Chemists and Engineers | CHE1107 | 1 | 10 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Molecular Basis of Life for Medicinal Chemists | BIO1103 | 1 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 70% | 30% | 0% |
| Inorganic Chemistry 2 | CHM2004 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 5% | 25% | 70% |
| Organic Chemistry 2 | CHM2003 | 2 | 20 | YES | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 10% | 30% | 60% |
| Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics | BIO2305 | 2 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Industrial and Green Chemistry | CHM2006 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 80% | 20% | 0% |
| Structural Chemistry | CHM2002 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Advanced Chemistry Options | CHM3005 | 3 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 0% | 0% | 100% |
| Advanced Practical Work in Chemistry | CHM3015 | 3 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Drug Development | CHM3016 | 3 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 20% | 0% | 80% |
| Organic Chemistry 3: Structure and Reactivity | CHM3002 | 3 | 20 | YES | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 0% | 0% | 100% |
| Inorganic Chemistry 3 | CHM3001 | 3 | 20 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | -- | 15% | 0% | 85% |
Notes
No notes found.