Synthesis of Complex Drugs
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR2034 | Pharmacy | 2 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- PHAR2034
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module considers:
Strategies for total and semi-chemical synthesis;
Aromatic, heterocyclic, macrocyclic, peptide and oligonucleotide drugs with increasing structural complexity;
The synthesis of diverse chemical analogues for structure-activity relationship assessments.
You will learn about further synthetic methodology that is used to prepare drug molecules with increasing structural complexity.
You will gain an understanding of how structurally and functionally complex drug molecules can be assembled synthetically from simple starting materials.
Target Students
BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences and MSci Pharmaceutical Sciences with a Year in Industry (Year 2)
Assessment
- 30% Report: An assessment of (i) the practical sessions by electronic submission of a written laboratory report in the form of a research paper and (ii) a 400-word summary report on a scientific paper.
- 70% Exam 1 (2-hour): Written in person.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The module provides an integrated approach to develop knowledge and understanding, as well as practical and professional transferrable skills, centred on the synthesis of structurally complex drugs.Knowledge and understanding:The module will cover fundamental aspects of mechanistic and organic chemistry, as well as synthetic strategies for the total chemical synthesis and semi-synthesis of aromatic, heterocyclic, macrocyclic, peptide and oligonucleotide drugs, typically with increasing structural complexity.These basic concepts will be applied for the total and/or semi-synthesis of diverse chemical analogues for structure-activity relationship assessments.Illustrative examples of drugs that are pertinent to a number of therapeutic areas, including antimicrobials, will be used in case studies.Professional/practical skills:You will obtain an understanding of safe working in a chemical laboratory. Using drug molecule examples, you will acquire essential laboratory skills relevant to the synthetic procedures of organic drug compounds.You will gain and improve chemical numeracy skills and be able to acquire and interpret analytical data qualitatively and quantitatively.Transferable skills: You will gain and improve skills relating to accessing and interpreting the scientific literature.You will improve the skills required to write a scientific report including appropriate use of tables, graphs, and appropriate references to the literature and other resources.Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
A. Knowledge and understanding
A1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of principles relating to the chemical structure, synthesis, analysis and design of medicinal agents
C. Professional/practical skills
C2 Undertake practical experimental work using appropriate materials, operating procedures and instruments
C3 Undertake numerical tasks and carry out quantitative analysis relevant to pharmaceutical science
C6 Apply and report scientific knowledge in an ethical manner
D. Transferable/key skills
D1 Critically use information resources, including library and electronic sources
D3 Communicate effectively in a variety of forms, including written, verbal and visual.