Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours)

Medicinal Chemistry covers all elements of the development of new medicines for human use, including the isolation of new medicinal agents from natural sources, the design and synthesis of new drugs, and understanding the cause of diseases at the molecular level.Medicinal chemists design and synthesise new medicinal and pharmacological agents;

develop new dosage forms;

monitor guidelines for testing drugs and undertake analyses;

assist with drug regulatory affairs;

assess patent applications for new drugs;

and teach in tertiary institutions.The degree provides excellent training in the modern techniques of chemical science applied to medicine.

This includes specialised courses in drug discovery and design, using both rational, computer-aided and bioprospecting approaches.

As well as fundamental training in the chemical sciences, you will also study the concepts needed to understand the effects of the disease state on the human body and the role of drugs.

Topics of study include chemistry, physiology, pharmacology and cell biology.If you do not qualify for direct entry to the degree you may gain admission via the Bachelor of Science, subject to satisfactory performance in at least one year of the degree and approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Head of Students.

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours), a candidate must successfully complete at least 192 credit points, as set out below.

Please note:

• Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.
• Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.
• Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 300-level core subjects.
• This is a prescribed program of study comprising core and optional subjects as set out below.

Progression Requirements

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (normally a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% or greater in 300-level subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) degree. Students with a WAM below 70% in 300-level subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) with the approval of the Medicinal Chemistry Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Medicinal Chemistry) degree.

Year 1

Autumn

Select ONE of the following two subjects:

Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105.

Plus, 12 credit points of subjects from the following list:

or

or

* The Mathematics subject to study is dependent on the level of Mathematics already achieved by the student (HSC or equivalent). Students may complete only one of these MATH subjects.

Spring

Select ONE of the following two subjects:

Summer

Note: Students completing CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wishing to enrol in 200 level CHEM subject may also be required to complete CHEM106. Please check with the Head of Students for confirmation.

Year 2

Autumn

Spring

Year 3

Autumn

Plus, 12 credit points of subjects from the following list:

Spring

Plus, ONE subject from the following list:

Year 4

Honours

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description 1 Demonstrate extensive and coherent knowledge of the principles and concepts associated with chemistry. 2 Demonstrate extensive and coherent knowledge of the principles and concepts associated with the design and synthesis of medicinal agents, their mode of action and their biological interactions. 3 Demonstrate technical and cognitive skills associated with chemistry, including medicinal chemistry, by locating, analysing and synthesising information to generate solutions to complex questions and problems. 4 Exercise critical analysis of observations and data from primary and secondary sources. 5 Integrate and apply knowledge and skills associated with medicinal chemistry to plan and execute a substantial research project. 6 Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to others through a variety of media.