Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry

The UCL School of Pharmacy has an international reputation in natural drug discovery and the evaluation of drug leads from natural sources. This MSc has been designed in response to ever-increasing interest in the development and use of medicines derived from natural products.

This programme aims to train students in the methods used to analyse and characterise medicinal natural products, to examine the safety and efficacy of currently used herbal medicines, analytical and bioassay methods, and the ethnopharmaceutical uses of plants from traditional systems of medicines.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of five core modules (120 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules

• Analytical Techniques in Phytochemistry
• Biodiversity and Medicines
• Medicinal Natural Products
• Natural Products Discovery
• Formulation of Natural Products and Cosmeceuticals

Dissertation/report

All students undertake a four-month research project in the third term which culminates in a dissertation. Topics range from natural product isolation and characterisation, synthesis, analysis, and a survey of medicinal products used in the community.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory-based practical classes. Assessment is through a combination of written examinations, coursework and practical assignments, and the research project and oral presentation.

A minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or the pharmaceutical, chemical, biological or medical sciences, or a related field, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.