CHE-20097 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module introduces the fundamental basis of medicinal chemistry in a multi-faceted exploration of the chemistry of enzymes. You will develop new understanding in heterocyclic chemistry as both a key component of enzymes and a route to their chemical inhibition, explore the physical chemistry of enzyme catalysis, and discover the coordination chemistry dictating the core function of metalloenzymes. You will perform, quantify and interpret an enzymatic reaction and apply your knowledge to a structured exercise predicting and rationalising enzyme chemistry. 

This module aims to:
1) introduce the fundamental basis of medicinal chemistry, with a focus on the exploration of the chemistry of enzymes as a major drug target.
2) develop synthetic chemistry knowledge surrounding heteroaromatic compounds as a key component of enzyme chemistry.
3) introduce coordination chemistry with a focus on the core function of metalloenzymes.
4) explore the physical chemistry of enzyme catalysis, and use this in the interpretation of experimental data.
5) further develop skills in the use of database searching and peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Discuss and analyse kinetic models of enzyme catalysis and inhibition to predict their defining characteristics and system parameters.: 1
Apply knowledge of enzyme kinetic models to the analysis of experimental data in order to determine the type of enzyme inhibition taking place.: 1
Describe and explain the formation, properties and chemistry of heteroaromatic molecules, and apply this to their being a key component of enzymes and a route to their chemical inhibition.: 2
Rationalise and apply the core function of metalloenzymes in the context of catalytic transformations and coordination chemistry involving the metal ion.
: 2
Apply knowledge of heterocyclic and bioinorganic compounds alongside relevant database searches to the interpretation of the mechanistic properties and selectivity of a medicinal chemistry target.: 2

Study hours

Interactive lectures: 22 hours
Workshops and assessment briefing sessions: 8 hours
Laboratory classes: 6 hours
Independent study hours: 114 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment