BSc (Hons)

Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Medicinal and biological chemistry are the foundations of modern medicine. This course is a truly multidisciplinary science.

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Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    FC17

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • International students

    £15,260*

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

You will study chemistry, toxicology, biology, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology to understand the links between human disease and its prevention and treatment through drug design. To prepare you for the workplace this course involves a significant amount of simulated work-based learning.

DESIGNED FOR

This course is designed for students who want to undertake careers within the pharmaceutical / biotechnological sectors or Healthcare, working at the patient end of the industry without directly working with patients.

Career Paths

  • Research Scientist – i.e. research and development in pharma/clinical/biomedical/biotech
  • Laboratory Scientist/Technician – within NHS oh Pharma Industry 
  • Healthcare
  • Analytical Scientist 
  • Education

Skills Taught

  • Laboratory Skills
  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills 
  • Communication Skills
  • Digital and IT Skills
  • Project Management

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Course Highlights

Multidisciplinary Science Course

The course has strong roots in both chemistry/pharma and biology; thus students are able to equally benefit from the knowledge and career opportunities from both subject areas.

Placement Opportunities

Our programme encourages students to consider short term summer and yearlong placement opportunities, and these are promoted through USW career services and other events.

Collaborative Curriculum

Our curriculum focuses on the skills needs of learners and employers, with a well-evidenced and existing market-led development.

Transformational Learning, Teaching, and Student Experience

Our curriculum focuses on imparting practical, problem solving skills that enhance employability.

Module Overview

The course aims to provide students with a broad and balanced foundation of scientific knowledge in the areas of chemistry and biology, practical skills, and an industry awareness. It also equips students with transferable skills, such as;, critical thinking / problem solving skills, communication and academic research skills, all commensurate with an honours degree programme.

Year One (Level 4) provides a solid foundation for future study, ensuring that all students develop sound knowledge and hands-on practical skills in chemistry (organic/physical/inorganic) and biology (genetics/biomolecules/cell biology/anatomy).

Key Skills for Careers in the Sciences
This module is designed to develop and support the student’s application of course specific skills in the context of the chemical / pharmaceutical / life science sectors. 

Chemical Concepts
This module introduces the fundamentals of physical and inorganic chemistry.

Organic Molecules, their Structure, Reactivity and Analysis
This module is designed to develop and support a student’s application of fundamental concepts in the areas of organic and analytical chemistry.

Diversity of Life
This module gives students a basic knowledge of living things, and the processes which enable them to survive and reproduce. It also introduces them to the evolutionary processes which lead to the modern diversity of the living world.

Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry
This module gives students a simple overview of the organisational structure and function of the human body.

Genetics and Evolution
This module introduces the principles and core concepts of genetics and the theory of evolution.

Year Two (Level 5) provides students with further theoretical/practical skills in synthesis/analytical chemistry and genetics/disease/cell pathology.  Students apply theories/analytical skills to solve problems. They are also encouraged to plan investigations/evaluate data/reflect on outcomes.

Modern Techniques in Analysis and Identification
This module supports students to understand and gain practical skills using modern analytical techniques, including sample preparation, and data interpretation.

Synthetic Organic and Heterocyclic Chemistry
This module extends students’ knowledge in the area of synthetic transformation/heterocyclic chemistry and enables students to use retrosynthetic analysis and suitable synthetic strategies for the research and development of drugs and compounds of commercial value.

Bioinorganic Chemistry
This module builds and develops concepts surrounding the physical and electronic structure of coordination compounds in the context of bioinorganic systems. It provides a comprehensive introduction to biologically relevant inorganic compounds and their functions within natural systems including the role they play in the human body.

Cellular Pathology and Disease Processes
This module gives students the understanding of the pathological changes associated with disease processes, and the impact this has on cellular and organ structure and function.

Microorganisms and Disease
This module provides students with an understanding of the beneficial and harmful human interactions with a wide variety of microorganisms.

Human Molecular Genetics
This module aims to introduce students to molecular genetics and the genetic basis of intertied disorders. On successful completion of this module, students will understand the theoretical and practical applications of key molecular biology techniques used in the study of genetics and their importance in human genetic disorders.

Year Three (Level 6) provides students with advanced theoretical knowledge/practical skills in synthesis/formulation/drug design and clinical biochemistry.  Students also undertake a major research project.  Students are prepared for the world of work through embedded employability related workshops such as CV/Science Futures Event/LinkedIn profile etc in the project module.

Professional Practice and Placement
Module provides students with the opportunity to complete a year long sandwich placement as part of the degree programme. This may include: Work placement undertaken with a public, private or voluntary sector employer, or Study abroad with a partner university.

Year Four of the sandwich programme (Level 6) provides students with advanced theoretical knowledge/practical skills in synthesis/formulation/drug design and clinical biochemistry.  Students may be able to use their sandwich placement as the basis for their final year major research project.  Students are prepared for the world of work through embedded employability related workshops such as CV/Science Futures Event/LinkedIn profile etc in the project module.

Major Project and Career Development
This module develops the student’s professional practice skills (e.g. investigation/research/work practise, planning, organisation, record keeping, critical assessment, oral/poster presentation and report writing, etc) by enabling the student to actively engage in a major scientific undertaking at a professional level.  It also enables the students to practice professional graduate skills, such as health and safety awareness, critical reflection of skills development, target planning, collaborative skills, etc.

Advanced Organic Chemistry
This module provides the students with an in depth understanding of theory and applications of pericyclic reactions, asymmetric synthesis and transition metals in organic synthesis.

Medicinal Drug Design

This module demonstrates how chemical principles can provide an understanding of the mechanisms of drug action, small molecule drug design and their synthesis. There is an emphasis on understanding the biological, physicochemical and physiological principles involved in drug adsorption and distribution, and the critical importance of pharmacokinetic principles and their influence on drug action.

Topics in Medicinal Chemistry

This module aims to impart knowledge to students of more advanced and applied chemistry topics that underpin some of the current aspects of modern drug design and pharmaceutical chemistry.

Modern Molecular Advances

Current and cutting edge therapeutic and technological advances developed for clinical practice, diagnosis and disease management.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS Points: 104 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: BCC including Chemistry and Biology but to exclude General Studies
  • Welsh BACC: Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC at A Level (this is equivalent to 104 UCAS tariff points). Must include Biology and Chemistry modules and excludes General Studies
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit in a relevant subject which must include Biology and Chemistry modules
  • Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Science and obtain a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

Typical Science Requirements: Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested grade(s).

 

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch and we'd to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.  

*Obligatory 

Students are encouraged to equip themselves with their own cotton laboratory coat and personal protective laboratory goggles, suitable for use in chemical and biological laboratories, although USW does provide these items. 

Cost: £40

Students who successfully secure a placement in industry would be expected to pay their own travel costs to and from the venue (and accommodation if necessary) during the period of placement

Cost: Variable 

Students who are successful in securing an industry-based placement may, in a small number of cases, be required to purchase additional personal protective equipment as specified by the specific organisation or company. 

Cost: Variable 

Course Highlights

How you'll learn

A blended learning and teaching approach is utilised to provide students with subject specific and key skills. Typically, modules consist of a mix of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical laboratory sessions.

Students are provided with numerous learning activities including; written coursework, project work, group work, laboratory/practical sessions (with group sizes tailored to the activity), problem solving sessions, self study assignments, oral and poster presentations. independent study, work related learning, on-line self assessments etc.

Teaching staff

Teaching staff draw on research interests and scholarly activity to enhance lectures, laboratory work and develop final year projects. In general, final year projects are often of an applied science nature or involve the use of a range of synthetic techniques and analytical instrumentation in line with individual teaching staff research interests.

Placements and work experience

Students are encouraged to undertake a work placement, either as their sandwich year or final year project, and those wishing to do so are supported by the University's Work Placement Team and the Careers Service.

Facilities

Chemistry / analytical / biology facilities are on par with those found in industry. Students make full use of the laboratories during their studies and gain hands on experience using the extensive analytical equipment. Built to the latest standards of safety, our laboratories cater for moderate class sizes to ensure students receive a more personal practical experience. 

The chemistry facilities include two large general instrument laboratories that house some of the more routinely used analytical equipment, as well as two specialised laboratories for performing nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. 

The newly refurbished biology laboratories include; newly built category II microbiology laboratories and facilities for handling of pathogenic organisms PCR and DNA analyzers and an extensive range of anatomical models for teaching of Anatomy and Physiology, as well as dedicated microscopy laboratories with access to electron microscopy.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Graduates will be ready for a career as a scientist, researcher or technician in the life sciences, which includes the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. You could explore opportunities in the chemical industries and other medical-related employment. You’ll also develop a wide range of transferable skills as part of your studies, including analytical problem solving, teamwork and communication. As such, graduates from science-based degrees can find employment in alternative disciplines such as teaching, management, law, finance and business. Graduates can also progress to a PhD or research degree.

Possible career paths

Employers regularly comment on our graduates’ excellent analytical skills, enhanced by hands-on experience of industry-standard instrumentation. The Medicinal & Biological Chemistry degree could also lead to careers in chemical, clinical and health care industries (e.g., roles that are available include research scientist, materials chemist, lab scientist in NHS.  Further studies options are also available to students such as MSc/PhD and PGCE (teaching programmes) upon graduation.

Careers support

You will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.

Why USW?

A close up of a scientist wearing a blue glove using a pipette to add liquid into a test tube
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Why USW?

Chemistry courses at USW are rated top 5 in the UK for student satisfaction

  • Complete University Guide 2023

  • Complete University Guide 2023