Medicinal Chemistry (BSc)

Teaching in the School of Chemistry is typically undertaken through a series of lectures, interactive problem-solving lectures, flipped lectures, small-group tutorials, workshops, practical classes involving either laboratory work or computational work, and a project. These are supported by material hosted on Learning Central, the University’s virtual learning environment, such as virtual laboratories and self-study quizzes.

One major element of teaching is through lectures, typically 10-12 per week of 50 minutes duration. Subject matter is supported in various ways depending on the topic. This can include slides, computer presentations and videos. Lectures are recorded and made available to watch again on-line.

Interactive problem-solving lectures

In interactive problem-solving lectures, you will practice how to solve problems (including exam-style problems) using material previously taught in a lecture. These lectures are often interactive but guided by the lecturer who engages the class in considering possible ways of solving a set problems.

Flipped lectures

Flipped lectures are very similar to interactive problem-solving lectures, with the difference that the material you need to know for the discussion session has been made available to you before the interactive lecture. This means that you are expected to have engaged in self-study before the lecture. Material for flipped lectures can be made available in various formats, but recorded short videos or text book sections on specific topics or theories are a popular format.

Workshops also involve in-class problem-solving exercises but typically involve less continuous guidance by the lecturer during the problem solving stage. Instead, a workshop often involves comparison of various proposed solutions instead. Workshops may involve group work.

Laboratory work

The second part of teaching involves practical classes in the teaching laboratory. In year one the emphasis is on basic techniques in chemistry and simple but accurate recording of observations. More advanced techniques in organic and biological chemistry are covered in years 2 and 3. Skills are taught by hands-on laboratory experience with immediate feedback by demonstrators, using similar equipment to that found in industry. Laboratory work is supported by a range of e-learning resources giving the chance to correct mistakes before attending laboratory sessions.

Computational work

Hands-on experience will be provided with industry-standard molecular modelling, chemical drawing, data processing and electronic notebook software.

Small-group tutorials

Tutorial classes are given in year 1 and 2, allowing practice, discussion and analysis of the lecture material, as well as the development of communication skills. Sessions are delivered by staff who are specialists in the topic area of each tutorial.

Virtual laboratories and self-study quizzes

The teaching methods above are complemented with materials offered through our Virtual Learning Environment which includes virtual laboratories and online quizzes for self study.

In the final year you will work on a project and be allocated a topic to investigate or develop. Projects may involve a combination of laboratory, computational and literature research. Working under the guidance of an expert in the field, you will present results of your work orally and in writing.

How will I be supported?

All staff operate an open-door policy, meaning you can always approach staff with issues, academic or otherwise. Small group teaching takes place with members of staff, giving you an opportunity to bring your questions to subject-experts. You will also have a personal tutor who will act as a contact point on the academic staff who you will meet regularly throughout your degree to discuss your academic progress and career development. The School Education and Students Team provide support on course administration such as timetabling.

You will be given access to a comprehensive handbook appropriate to your year of study, containing details of the School’s procedures and policies.

We make extensive use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Learning Central) to share information, teaching materials and support your learning. The majority of assessments are submitted on-line, and feedback will be provided automatically for many assessments, whereas for others marking will be performed by staff and feedback given as written comments or as audio/video.

How will I be assessed?

Formative and summative assessments are carried out during each year of study. This gives a measure of performance to inform you, staff, and potential employers about your progress and achievement. It can also help the learning process by highlighting areas of success and areas needing more attention. Assessment involves a blend of methods that are selected to suit the particular outcomes of each module and the course as a whole. These methods include the following:

• Formal examinations and class tests with fixed time-limits for theory modules
• Reports and outputs (compounds, data, code) from laboratory and computational work to demonstrate mastery of practical skills and reporting to professional standards
• Planning, conducting and reporting of project work
• Essays for demonstrating searching, synthesis and evaluation of the literature
• Problem-solving as workshop assignments or on-line exercises that allow application of theory to practice
• Oral presentations
• Preparation and display of posters.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to

Knowledge & Understanding:

KU 1 Be conversant in chemical terminology, nomenclature, conventions and units.

KU 2 Recognise, explain and apply the major types of reaction in organic and biological chemistry as used in medicinal chemistry.

KU 3 Explain the physical principles and justify the choice of techniques for the analysis of drug candidates and the measurement/prediction of their biological activity.

KU 4 Describe and give examples of the targets and mode of action of major classes of drug.

KU 5 Explain the role of medicinal chemistry in drug discovery and how it interacts with the wider drug discovery enterprise and society.

Intellectual Skills:

IS 1 Recognise, analyse and solve problems by qualitative and quantitative application of subject knowledge and understanding.

IS 2 Interpret data derived from laboratory observations and measurements in terms of the theory underlying them and critically assess their significance.

IS 3 Apply theoretical models and associated computational methods for making predictions of the physical, chemical and biological properties of molecules.

IS 4 Construct synopses from information derived from multiple sources.

Professional Practical Skills:

PS 1 Plan and safely carry out standard laboratory procedures for preparation, purification, analysis and biological assays of drugs.

PS 2 Observe, monitor and record, in a systematic and reliable fashion, data relating to preparation, analysis and assay of drugs in a manner appropriate for a professional chemist working in an academic or industrial situation.

PS 3 Communicate scientific concepts, proposals and data orally and in writing to a range of audiences through media including journals, reports, seminars and colloquia.

PS 4 Perform computations, data-processing and electronic searching of databases relating to drugs and their interactions with biological systems.

PS 5 Act with scientific integrity and in an ethical manner with consideration for the social and environmental implications of the pharmaceutical industry.

Transferable/Key Skills:

KS 1 Employ information technology such as word processing, spreadsheets, data-logging and storage, web communication and drawing packages.

KS 2 Apply numeracy and mathematical skills including algebra, statistics and error analysis to data processing, interpretation and presentation.

KS 3 Plan and implement projects on-time while working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

KS 4 Reflect upon own learning and independently identify and undertake study needed for continuing professional development.