- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Bachelor of Science (Medicinal Chemistry)
Medicinal chemists design and synthesise new medicinal and pharmacological agents; develop new dosage forms; monitor guidelines for testing drugs and undertake analyses; assist with drug regulatory affairs; assess patent applications for new drugs; and teach in tertiary institutions.
The Bachelor of Science (Medicinal Chemistry) includes specialised subjects in drug discovery and design, using both rational, computer-aided and bio-prospecting approaches. The program also provides training in physiology, pharmacology and other areas needed to understand the effects of disease states on the human body and the role of drugs and other methods of chemical intervention.
Subject to satisfactory performance and the approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Head of Students, students may apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) at the end of the first year.
Major Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate extensive and coherent knowledge of the principles and concepts associated with chemistry.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and concepts associated with the design and synthesis of medicinal agents, their mode of action and their biological interactions.
- Demonstrate technical and cognitive skills associated with chemistry, including medicinal chemistry, by locating, analysing and synthesising information to generate solutions to complex questions and problems.
- Exercise critical analysis of observations and data from primary and secondary sources.
- Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to others through a variety of media.
Course Structure
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| MEDI111 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I | 6 | Autumn |
| Select ONE of the following two subjects: | |||
| CHEM101 | Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM104 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter | 6 | Autumn |
| Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101. All other students must select CHEM104. | |||
| Plus two of the following subjects in Autumn Session: | |||
| * The mathematics subject to study is dependent on the level of mathematics already achieved by the student (HSC or equivalent). | |||
| BIOL104 | Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH141 | Foundations of Engineering Mathematics* | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A (if required)* | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH187 | Mathematics 1: Algebra and Differential Calculus* | 6 | Autumn |
| MEDI110 | Human Growth Nutrition and Exercise | 6 | Autumn |
| PHYS141 | Fundamentals of Physics A | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| BIOL103 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| MEDI112 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II | 6 | Spring |
| STAT252 | Statistics For the Natural Sciences | 6 | Spring |
| Select ONE of the following two subjects: | |||
| CHEM102 | Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM105 | Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures | 6 | Spring |
| Summer | |||
| Only for students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105. | |||
| CHEM106 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter# | 6 | Summer 2015/2016 |
| #Note: CHEM106 does NOT count for credit with CHEM105, but is required for students completing CHEM104 and CHEM105 as pre-requisite subjects for most 200-level CHEM subjects. | |||
| Completion of CHEM106 does NOT count towards the minimum 144 credit points for this course. | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM211 | Inorganic Chemistry II | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM212 | Organic Chemistry II | 6 | Autumn |
| MEDI211 | Control Mechanisms Physiology | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL214 | The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL215 | Introductory Genetics | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM213 | Molecular Structure, Reactivity and Change | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM214 | Analytical and Environmental Chemistry | 6 | Spring |
| Year 3 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| CHEM350 | Principles of Pharmacology | 8 | Autumn |
| CHEM364 | Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy | 8 | Autumn |
| Plus ONE of the following subjects, or other subjects approved by the Coordinator. | |||
| BIOL303 | Biotechnology: Applied Cell and Molecular Biology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL320 | Molecular Cell Biology | 8 | Autumn |
| CHEM314 | Instrumental Analysis | 8 | Autumn |
| CHEM340 | Chemistry Laboratory Project | 8 | Autumn, Spring, Summer |
| Spring | |||
| CHEM320 | Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure | 8 | Spring |
| CHEM321 | Organic Synthesis and Reactivity | 8 | Spring |
| CHEM330 | Medicinal Chemistry | 8 | Spring |
Honours
If the required academic standard is attained the student may apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) degree. This encompasses a final honours year which consists of special coursework plus a research project.
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Professional Recognition/Accreditation
This degree structure is designed to meet the qualifying standards of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and students meeting the course requirements will be eligible for corporate membership as Chartered Chemists.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au