Medicinal Chemistry

The MSc in Medicinal Chemistry at University College London offers an intensive and comprehensive programme designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to innovate in the field of drug discovery and development. This course combines rigorous scientific training with practical laboratory experience, enabling graduates to understand the complex process of designing, synthesizing, and evaluating potential therapeutic agents. Over the duration of the programme, students will explore a wide range of topics, including organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and computational modeling, all tailored towards understanding how medicines interact with biological systems. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical foundations and applied skills, preparing students for careers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or academia. Students will engage in cutting-edge research projects, utilizing state-of-the-art laboratories and instrumentation to synthesize new compounds and assess their biological activity. The programme also fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills through collaborative projects and seminars led by leading experts in medicinal chemistry. UCL's central London location provides unique opportunities for networking with industry professionals and attending conferences, workshops, and guest lectures. Graduates of this MSc programme will be well-positioned to pursue further research at the PhD level or to secure roles in research and development, quality control, regulatory affairs, and scientific consultancy within the pharmaceutical industry. With a strong emphasis on innovation, practical application, and scientific rigor, this programme prepares students to make significant contributions to the development of new medicines that address unmet medical needs worldwide.

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

This programme is offered either as a three-year BSc or as a four-year MSci. The first two years of study are identical, so you can defer which to opt for until the end of your second year. We advise you to select the four-year MSci initially as this keeps more options open.
The Medicinal Chemistry programmes are quite different from the others offered by the department as the modules are split equally between chemistry and the life sciences. You will take modules in all aspects of chemistry, but organic chemistry is developed to the greatest extent.

Specialist modules such as Principles of Drug Design, and Principles and Methods of Organic Synthesis are compulsory. Compulsory modules are also taken in a number of life sciences including biology, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. You will also take a literature project in year three.

The focus of your final year will be an extended research project. As a specialist in medicinal chemistry you will have access to cross-disciplinary projects in fields such as drug design, chemical biology and organic chemistry. Advanced taught modules are available in both chemistry and allied life sciences.

A levels

Grades

AAA-AAB

Subjects

Chemistry plus either one, or preferably two from Biology (preferred), Mathematics or Physics.

GCSEs

English Language at grade C plus Mathematics at grade B. For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs

IB Diploma

Points

36-38

Subjects

A score of 17-18 points in three higher level subjects including Chemistry and either Biology (preferred), Mathematics or Physics, with no score lower than 5.

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

This programme is offered either as a three-year BSc or as a four-year MSci. The first two years of study are identical, so you can defer which to opt for until the end of your second year. We advise you to select the four-year MSci initially as this keeps more options open.

The Medicinal Chemistry programmes are quite different from the others offered by the department as the modules are split equally between chemistry and the life sciences. You will take modules in all aspects of chemistry, but organic chemistry is developed to the greatest extent.

Specialist modules such as Principles of Drug Design, and Principles and Methods of Organic Synthesis are compulsory. Compulsory modules are also taken in a number of life sciences including biology, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. You will also take a literature project in year three.

The focus of your final year will be an extended research project. As a specialist in medicinal chemistry you will have access to cross-disciplinary projects in fields such as drug design, chemical biology and organic chemistry. Advanced taught modules are available in both chemistry and allied life sciences.

The MSc in Medicinal Chemistry at University College London offers an advanced and comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required for a career in drug discovery and development. This programme combines rigorous training in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology, focusing on the design, synthesis, and development of new therapeutic agents. Students will explore various aspects of medicinal chemistry including structure-activity relationships, molecular modelling, and the pharmacokinetic principles that influence drug behavior within the human body. The course emphasizes practical laboratory skills such as chemical synthesis, analytical techniques, and data analysis, preparing graduates for research roles in pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology, and academic research. Students will also have opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research projects, often working alongside experts in the field, and utilizing state-of-the-art facilities. The programme typically spans one year for full-time students and may include optional modules allowing specialization in areas like chemical biology or computational chemistry. In addition to coursework and laboratory work, students are encouraged to participate in seminars, workshops, and collaborations that enhance their understanding of current trends and future directions in medicinal chemistry. Graduates of this programme are well-positioned to pursue further research through PhD programmes or to enter the pharmaceutical sector with a robust foundation in medicinal chemistry principles. The programme is recognized for its multidisciplinary approach, integrating chemistry, biology, and pharmacology to foster innovative drug discovery solutions.