CHE-20027: Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 1

To develop an understanding of the fundamental principles used in medicinal chemistry to provide a deeper insight into the mode of action of medicines.
To develop skills in processing and analysing quantitative chemical and biological data.
To develop experimental and analytical laboratory skills.
To develop problem solving and scientific presentation skills.
To emphasise that medicinal chemistry builds upon core topics in organic, physical and inorganic chemistry.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Interpret the molecular structure of biological macromolecules in terms of their construction from biological building blocks (amino acids, peptides and proteins) and analyse data related to their structure will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3,4
Explain the physical basis of intermolecular interactions between ligands and biomolecules and apply this to the design of drug molecules with structure-activity relationships. will be achieved by assessments: 1,4
Interpret kinetic models for enzyme catalysis and inhibition and analyse kinetic data to determine system parameters or the mode of inhibition will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3,4
Explain the structure and basic physiological function of receptors and use mathematical models to explain ligand-receptor interactions will be achieved by assessments: 1,4
Apply the principles of pharmacodynamics to receptor interactions and the interpretation of dose-response curves, potency and efficacy will be achieved by assessments: 1,4
Apply the mechanisms and characteristics of the pharmacokinetic concepts of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion to drug molecules will be achieved by assessments: 1,4
Interpret the results of laboratory practical experiments and apply them the preparation and presentation of a poster will be achieved by assessments: 2
Describe the drug discovery process and the stages involved in the development of new medicines and interpret this in the analysis of case studies will be achieved by assessments: 1,4
Apply familiar concepts in organic synthesis to access target molecules and explain the challenges and compromises of process scale synthesis will be achieved by assessments: 1,3,4

Study hours

Lectures: 22 hours
Class Test: 1 hour
Laboratory practicals and problem classes, poster presentation: 37 hours
Independent study, laboratory preparation and presentation preparation: 90 hours

Description of Module Assessment

01: Class Test weighted 10%

In-class test
A 1-hour class test employing a variety of question styles, seen and unseen.

02: Poster Presentation weighted 15% (min pass mark of 40)

Poster presentation with oral questions
Students will prepare a poster on a topic related to the results of a laboratory experiment. Posters will be assessed against explicit criteria on a combination of the content displayed and the presenter's answers to oral questions.

03: Laboratory Practicals weighted 25% (min pass mark of 40)

Portfolio of work related to laboratory practicals
Portfolio of pre-laboratory exercises, COSHH risk assessments, observations and full data analysis for the laboratory practicals.

04: Unseen Exam weighted 50% (min pass mark of 40)

2-hour unseen examination
The paper is split into two sections with a degree of choice in each section: Part A short answer questions, Part B long answer questions.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.