The Principles of Drug Discovery
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR4032 | Pharmacy | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- PHAR4032
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Drug discovery is highly multidisciplinary in nature and students need to be scientifically multi-lingual to be able to fully understand its practice.
Target Students
MSc Drug Discovery and MSc Drug Discovery with Industrial Training (2 year).
Classes
Note that the following is an estimate only: 54 hours contact time, 9 hours directed learning, 137 hours self-directed study, revision and assessment. Total = 200 hours.
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: Individual Oral Presentation
- 50% Exam 1 (1-hour): Electronic assessment at the end of the semester.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The module begins with an introductory 1-week period, which aims to help students transition from their first degree into this Drug Discovery Masters, and the expectations of them as a University and a MSc student. Cognisant that students will be from different scientific backgrounds, early module activity will involve initial diagnostic assessment and follow-up around basic chemical understanding. The module overall employs a combination of lectures and workshops, together with student-centred learning to address the key concepts outlined in the ‘summary of content’. This will provide a foundation to the drug discovery process overall and by the end of the module, all students will have developed a solid understanding of the scientific multidisciplinarity pertaining to drug discovery; learning and appreciating the key scientific areas that sit behind the discipline.Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module the student will be able to:
CC1.1 Critically evaluate and understand modern and historic approaches to drug discovery, demonstrating awareness of the future development of the subject.
CC1.3 Critically evaluate and employ techniques applicable to advanced scholarship in the study of drug discovery
CC1.5 Critically evaluate and present material related specifically to the pre-clinical and clinical development of medicines/devices.
CC1.6 Understand and describe the structure, regulation and organisation of key scientific disciplines within the pharmaceutical and health based industries (public / private)
CC2.1 Exercise the skills of critical reasoning in relation to the application of core scientific disciplines in the drug discovery process
CC3.2 Organise and implement a programme of self-directed learning through reflective study
CC3.3 Operate and collaborate in a team in order to solve problems of a theoretical or practical (experimental) nature and provide appropriate solutions
In addition the student will:
Have an advanced understanding of the chemical and physical properties of functional groups commonly employed in drug molecules