Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons)

Specialise in the design, synthesis and characterisation of small molecule drugs. Undertake an invaluable one year placement in industry. Begin an exciting career in chemical synthesis and small-molecule drug design.

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Overview

Medicinal chemistry covers concepts in the fields of chemistry, pharmacology, chemical synthesis and protein biochemistry. You will study how small molecules are designed, extracted, modified and synthesized to generate therapeutics. You will also explore how these molecules interact with their targets within the cell.

Why us?

Available as a 4-year sandwich course, where you can undertake a one year industrial placement
This unique course makes extensive use of the new advanced technology within our Sciences Complex

Teaching staff are research-active and have close links to industry and research institutes working in molecular sciences
The University has over 100 years of expertise in teaching biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences

Course structure

Our teaching methods address different learning styles and provide a diverse learning experience. The course integrates traditional lecture and laboratory-based learning with active, experiential and enquiry-based learning.

You will be taught via laboratory practical work, tutorials, lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning. We also encourage you to develop independent study skills.

This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science, which allows you to easily change course at the end of the first year should one of these routes appeal to you.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Introduction to Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry (20 credits)
Introduction to Cell Biology and Biochemistry (20 credits)
Introduction to Analytical Chemistry (20 credits)
Introduction to Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology (20 credits)
Research and Practical Skills in Biopharmaceutical Science (40 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Further Research and Practical Skills in Biopharmaceutical Science (40 credits)
Organic Chemistry (20 credits)
Biochemistry, Genetics and Biotechnology (20 credits)
Further Analytical Science (20 credits)
Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry (20 credits)

Year 3

Optional one year placement in the Pharmaceutical Sciences industry

Final year (national level 6)

Advanced Chemistry (20 credits)
Advanced Biotechnology and Biochemistry (20 credits)
Advanced Medicinal Chemistry (20 credits)
Advanced Drug Synthesis (20 credits)
Research Project (40 credits)

Facilities

This course is based in the Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which boasts excellent laboratories and cutting-edge equipment thanks to multi-million pound investments.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

A Levels must include Chemistry. Please note we do not accept General Studies AS or A Level. We accept T Level Science only.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is:

£9,250 if you are from the UK/Europe*
£14,000 if you are an international student

*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 23/24 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Medicinal chemists are employed in an increasingly wide range of roles in drug development and pharmaceutical companies. The typical salary for a graduate medicinal chemist is £23,000. This salary increases based upon postgraduate and industrial experience.

Companies that have employed our graduates include pharmaceutical multinationals such as GSK, Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Placements

The employability of Sunderland graduates reflects our mix of academic rigour and practical skills. To enhance this mix, we encourage you to apply to undertake a one-year placement between your second and final year.

Placements provide an invaluable opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. As part of the course you will also make several industry visits.

Transferable skills

This course gives you the opportunity to develop skills which you can use in a range of employment situations including:

Academic study skills: avoiding plagiarism, time management, reading, note taking, referencing, revision analysis, and scientific writing.

Practical skills: laboratory competency, experimental skills and techniques.

Transferable skills: numeracy, analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, self-management and organisation, application of IT, consideration of ethical and safety requirements, critical thinking, personal development planning and reflection.

Meet the students

My experiences have been amazing, the staff have always been the best at helping and listening.

Darren Gardner
The University has given me unlimited opportunities and amazing experiences.

Moesha Ezeala
My experience at the University of Sunderland has been amazing

Sean Ranson

Related courses

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing.

Page last updated: 06 March 2023

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

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