Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

This degree programme provides a thorough training in the main branches of chemistry and also concentrates on the study of areas of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology most relevant to carrying out research with medicinal and other biologically active compounds.

You’ll benefit from a lecture course on industrial medicinal chemistry presented by research workers from a pharmaceutical company on topics such as drug/receptor interactions and the design, synthesis, transport and metabolism of important drugs.

Programme structure

Year 1

The topics covered include the periodic table and main group chemistry, transition metal chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical kinetics, states of matter, chemical energy changes, aqueous equilibria & pH and macromolecules.

Year 2

The topics covered include molecular thermodynamics, organic stereochemistry, quantum mechanics & chemical bonding, organometallic chemistry, main group chemistry, enols & enolates, spectroscopy, solids & surfaces, aromatic chemistry, coordination chemistry, organic synthesis, electrochemistry and applied organic chemistry.

Years 3, 4 and 5

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4), you will choose courses from a list of topics which includes anticancer compounds, antibiotics, analgesics and antivirals.

In the final year you will undertake a project involving research in chemistry with medicinal or pharmacological applications: for example, making selected compounds and testing them for specific biological activity.

You can take Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry as an MSci degree, which includes an additional work placement year in the UK or overseas, between the third and final years of the degree.

Our international links

The MSci degree offers the opportunity to spend a year doing your placement abroad before returning for your final year of study.

Career prospects

We offer employability and professional development training to our Chemistry students in years 1 and 2 of their degrees.

Our graduates are employed in research in the pharmaceutical industry, forensic science and related areas. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study or directly into employment in the chemical industry. Recent graduates have been employed by:

* EDF Energy

* Quotient Clinical

* Reckitt Benckiser

* Sterling Medical Innovation

* Synergy Outsourcing