Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science

Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science - BSc (Hons)

Analyse the science behind a crime scene and learn how pharmaceuticals interact with our bodies to develop drugs to combat disease. Our Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science BSc will provide you with a strong set of transferable skills suited to a range of roles in the science, education and health sectors.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2024 entry see here - for 2023 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Chemical and Physical Sciences

UCAS code

FF4C

Duration of study

3 years/ 4 years with International Year

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Why study Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science at Keele University?

No. 1 in England for Forensic Science (Complete University Guide, 2022)

Use a wide variety of research grade experimental equipment in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

Professional accreditation pathways are available

Our 600-acre campus offers fantastic indoor and outdoor simulated crime scene facilities to develop your practical and professional skills

Course overview

Studying our combined honours in Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science will give you the opportunity to explore two exciting subjects and develop a wide variety of skills.

The Medicinal Chemistry component of the programme will provide you with an understanding of the complex biological and chemical problems that are involved in the design and synthesis of drugs. You will draw on basic chemical principles to solve problems at the interfaces of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology and gain professional chemistry skills that are necessary for laboratory classes throughout the course.

The Forensic Science element of the course focuses on the entire forensic process, from evidence collection, analysis and interpretation to court reporting. Initial modules including forensic chemistry, forensic biology and criminalistic science, will build your understanding in the key topics underpinning the subject. You will also gain valuable laboratory and crime scene experience to help you stay ahead in this fast-moving science. Teaching will take place in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories and our dedicated Crime Scene facilities.

The programme will culminate with the opportunity to apply the techniques you have acquired throughout your studies by completing a final year forensic science team research project.

Examples of previous forensic science team project titles include:

Analysis of post-mortem bone trauma
Analysis of trace evidence -identification of drugs in latent fingerprints
Long-term geophysical monitoring of simulated clandestine graves of murder victims
Wildlife forensics –assessment of presumptive tests on non-human blood
Forensic odontology -bite marks
Investigating the appearance of aged fingerprints

Active in research

Research-led teaching is at the heart of our programme and all of our academic staff are members of one of the School's research themes. At Keele we are proud to be at the forefront of important research in tackling society's global challenges. Keele chemists are helping to develop metal-organic frameworks for hydrogen storage - the fuel of the future, molecules that harvest light to create a new generation of solar panels and new drug molecules to fight illnesses such as malaria, cancer and viral disease.We take an interdisciplinary approach to our work and collaborate with various research centres at Keele in addition to a range of national and international universities and industrial partners. Much of our research is published in internationally-recognised journals.

International year

In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend a year studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enable you to experience different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.

Student support

We offer a multi layered student support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. You will benefit from the support of an academic mentor and Keele's dedicated Faculty Student Experience and Support team.

Next Steps

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Related Courses

Accreditation and professional recognition

This programme is recognised by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science. It is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science if you specialise in Forensic Science, or by the Royal Society of Chemistry if you specialise in Medicinal Chemistry.

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year International year Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

A Level requirements

A Level requirement BBC
A Level Chemistry at grade B or above.

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English Language / Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DMM
You must have taken sufficient Chemistry units, please contact us for advice

International Baccalaureate

29 points to include Higher Level Chemistry at 6 or above

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Chemistry related units.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Preparation programmes for international students

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Next Steps

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Additional information

A Level requirements

A Level requirement BBC
A Level Chemistry at grade B or above.

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English Language / Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DMM
You must have taken sufficient Chemistry units, please contact us for advice

International Baccalaureate

29 points to include Higher Level Chemistry at 6 or above

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Chemistry related units.

English Language Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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What is it like to be a Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry student at Keele?

"I definitely feel that the degree course I studied at Keele provided me with an excellent advantage when applying for this job due to the amount of instrumentation we were able to use and the breadth of information we were taught. My course had a module devoted to the analysis of drugs of abuse which definitely gave me the information I needed to get through my interview. It taught me many techniques that are used within the forensic field such as TLC, GC-MS and HPLC which I now use on a daily basis within my job."

Carlie, Forensic Science and Criminology

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"I enjoyed my time as an undergraduate at Keele immensely. The variety of topics studied and skills acquired during the course are stimulating and diverse and it equips you well for various jobs after graduating. After initially graduating I spent time working for the forensic investigations unit of Cheshire Police and for a global pharmaceutical company where I utilised the instrumental skills I acquired through study of chemical analysis."

Richard, Biology and Forensic Science

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Guest Speakers

Throughout the programme you will have the opportunity to learn from a number of guest lecturers from the profession who contribute either a single or short series of lectures, workshops or practical classes in a range of forensic science topics. This will enable you to gain valuable insight into today's industry and network with potential employers, colleagues and mentors.

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Your future career

95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

Our Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science BSc will equip you with a strong set of transferable skills including advanced problem-solving, analytical, computation and communication skills that are suited to a range of different sectors.

Medicinal Chemistry

You will graduate with strong laboratory techniques and an awareness of the ethical implications and issues relating to environmental impact and sustainability. Graduates of this programme enter a range of professions, both in and out of the laboratory. Many also further their knowledge by undertaking further study at Master's or PhD level. Careers related to the medicinal chemistry component of the degree include:

academic chemist
analytical chemist
associate scientist
chemical engineer
forensic scientist
material scientist
medicinal chemist
pharmaceutical scientist
research assistant
synthetic chemist
toxicologist
science teacher
toxicologist

Forensic Science

From forensic scene investigator to working in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the advanced problem-solving, data interpretation, analytical and communication skills you will acquire on this programme will open up a wide variety of science-related careers. Joining the Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists (CSFS) may help with keeping up to date with developments in the sector and making valuable contacts. Please note you may need to take further postgraduate study to enter some of the professions listed below.

Careers related to the forensic science component of the degree include:

analytical chemist
forensic examiner
forensic scene investigator
intelligence analyst
microbiologist
quality control scientist
researcher
security analyst
scientific laboratory technician
science teacher
toxicologist

Enhance your employability

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

Next Steps

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching in Medicinal Chemistry

In Chemistry, a dynamic group of staff with a broad range of expertise teach on the programme and bring a wealth of experience acquired through fundamental and applied research across a diverse range of areas. Many of our teaching staff are Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy, the professional body for teachers in Higher Education. Fellowship provides individuals with recognition of their practice, impact and leadership of teaching and learning. A number of our academic staff have also achieved national recognition for their excellence and innovation in teaching and hold awards from a variety of institutions, including the Royal Society of Chemistry. In testament to our teaching excellence, many of the teaching methods we use have been adopted by other chemistry departments in the UK and beyond.

To ensure you receive a high-quality learning experience, teaching will be delivered through a diverse range of methods.

Methods of teaching may include:

audio feedback
case studies
computer-aided learning (simulations and animations, online activities and exercises)
demonstrations
detailed personalised, generic written and face-to-face feedback
electronic submission and return of marked coursework (with feedback)
group work
information literacy activities
interactive personal response systems
IT instruction (spreadsheets, word-processing, chemical structure drawing, databases and processing of spectroscopic data)
laboratory classes
lectures
problem classes and workshops
pre-laboratory and post-laboratory exercises
recorded lectures
research projects
self and peer-assessment for learning
seminars
small group tutorials
tablet PC's
team based learning
use of e-learning/the Keele Learning Environment (KLE)

Assessment in Medicinal Chemistry

In Medicinal Chemistry, our assessment methods include a mix of examinations and a variety of authentic assessments that mirror the type of tasks you may be asked to complete in your future career working in the field of chemistry. Methods of assessment may include:

class tests
design exercises
information retrieval exercises
laboratory reports and diaries
oral and poster presentations
practical and oral examinations
pre-laboratory exercises
problem sheets
research projects and scientific papers
unseen written examinations
video/screencast presentations

Teaching in Forensic Science

We offer a personalised learning experience in an environment where you can feel part of a community. To ensure you receive a high-quality learning experience, teaching will be delivered through a blend of in-situ and digital approaches. Methods of teaching may include:

group/ team-work and independent project work
lectures (including those from guest speakers from the profession)
mini-projects and extended research projects
practical laboratory classes
practical simulated crime scene examination (indoor and outdoor)
problem-based learning workshops
team-based learning workshops
tutorials and problems classes
use of e-learning/the Keele Learning Environment (KLE) (Blackboard) and MS Teams

Assessment in Forensic Science

The wide variety of assessment methods used on this programme at Keele reflects the broad range of knowledge and skills that are developed as you progress through the degree programme. Assessment methods may include:

class tests
court expert witness statements
crime scene investigation reports
cross-examination assessment
dissertation and research paper literature critical reviews
end of module examinations, open book assessments and case work portfolios
essays
laboratory diaries, proformas, reports and examination forms
oral, poster and digital presentations
problems sheets and data analysis exercises
project plans, team project interviews and viva examinations
technical leaflets

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Central Science Laboratories

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

The information within this section is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This combined honours Foundation Year course is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science degree. For example, the Foundations of Chemistry module will provide you with a basic understanding of the key concepts and fundamental terminology of chemistry. Meanwhile, the Foundations of Life Sciences Module looks at basic cell biology in terms of structure and function and goes on to examine how cells obtain their energy and raw materials. It considers how organisms interact and analyses the effects of climate change on ecosystems. All of the modules you take will prove useful in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.

Course structure

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester one modules

FYO-00185	Practical and Academic Skills in Science	15 credits
FYO-00211	Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists	15 credits
FYO-00189	Foundations of Chemistry	15 credits
FYO-00197	Foundations of Life Sciences	15 credits

Semester two modules

FYO-00191	Advancing Chemistry	30 credits
FYO-00199	Advancing Life Sciences	30 credits

Entry requirements

Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
Relevant work experience

AND

GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above

How to apply

Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry with Foundation Year (UCAS code C723) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. Following the submission of your application a member of our team will contact you to confirm the subject combination you wish to study.

Direct entry students

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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