Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery

The MSc in Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at the University of Dundee offers students a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning modern drug development and the biochemical processes that govern living organisms. This innovative programme is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to contribute effectively to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as to academic research. Throughout the course, students will explore the molecular mechanisms of biological systems, the chemical properties of drugs, and the strategies employed in designing and developing new therapeutic agents. The programme combines rigorous theoretical lectures with practical laboratory sessions, providing hands-on experience in techniques such as molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and structural biology. Students will learn about key topics including enzyme mechanisms, receptor pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and high-throughput screening methods. Emphasis is placed on understanding the entire drug development pipeline, from target identification and validation to preclinical testing and clinical trials. The programme also encourages the development of essential transferable skills such as data analysis, scientific communication, teamwork, and project management. Taught by expert researchers and industry professionals, the course offers opportunities for networking and collaboration with leading figures in the biomedical field. Students will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge software tools, enhancing their practical and computational capabilities. The programme prepares graduates for diverse careers in pharmaceuticals, biotech companies, research institutions, and regulatory agencies. Additionally, it provides a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing further postgraduate research or doctoral studies in related fields. Upon completing the MSc in Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, students will be well-equipped to translate scientific discoveries into innovative therapies that improve health outcomes worldwide. The University of Dundee’s strong links with industry partners ensure that the curriculum remains aligned with current trends and future developments in drug discovery and biomedical research.

Detailed Course Facts

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Fee category

Fees for students starting September 2015

Scottish students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Rest of UK students

£9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree. See our scholarships for rest of UK applicants.

EU students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Overseas students (non-EU)

£15,950 per year of study. See our scholarships for international applicants.

• English

Course Content

Typical Degree Programme

Levels 1 and 2

All Life Sciences degree programmes share common core modules at Level 1 that provide a general introduction to the life sciences through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions.

Please refer to the Biological/Biomedical Sciences degree structure and overview webpagefor details of the common curriculum in Levels 1 and 2.

Level 3

Specialist topics cover biochemistry, synthetic chemistry, analytical techniques and pharmacology.

• You will study synthetic organic chemistry with reference to biological and pharmaceutical applications.
• In analytical techniques you will cover the theory and applications of NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis, protein structure prediction & modelling.
• You will also study drug metabolism and kinetics, drug design and screening technologies, mechanistic enzymology, drug targets & drug leads, pharmaceutical development, metabolism & drug interactions.
• The study of biochemical pathways and processes and molecular interactions at the cellular level will expand your understanding of disease processes.

Between Levels 3 and 4

A year working in industry if you have chosen the degree programme with a year in industry.

Level 4

At level 4, you will carry out more advanced study of topics in the field of drug design and development, these will be at the level of current research in your chosen subject area.

You will choose units from a range of topics that include:

• Drug design and discovery
• Advanced synthetic organic chemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Advanced instrumental analytical techniques
• Protein structure and pharmacokinetics

You will be able to choose additional topics from a wide range of specialist research areas within life sciences according to your personal interests.

Your studies will involve extensive use of scientific literature and the opportunity to attend a regular programme of seminars given by invited speakers from Britain and abroad.

• Research project - several formats are available including laboratory-based research under the supervision of a leading scientist, computer modelling, multimedia teaching packages, literature and electronic database review.

All modules are assessed by a combination of in-course and end-of-course procedures. Regular in-course assessments (e.g. practical reports, computer-based exercises, essays and data processing exercises) provide feedback on your progress and help you prepare for end-of-module examinations.

On-line assignments are used extensively at Levels 1 and 2, with access via a PC on or off campus. Peer assessment operates in many team projects.

Requirements

See Course Homepage for Full Details

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Dundee.

Accreditation

The BSc (Hons) Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery is recognised by The Royal Society of Chemistry for associate membership (AMRSC).