- 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)
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
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
The Bachelor of Science (Medicinal Chemistry) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects in accordance with the table below.
| 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: | |||
| Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105. | |||
| CHEM101 | Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM104 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter | 6 | Autumn |
| Plus 12 credit points of subjects from the following list: | |||
| BIOL104 | Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| MEDI110 | Human Growth Nutrition and Exercise | 6 | Autumn |
| PHYS141 | Fundamentals of Physics A | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH141 | Foundations of Engineering Mathematics* | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| OR | |||
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A (if required)* | 6 | Autumn |
| OR | |||
| MATH187 | Mathematics 1: Algebra and Differential Calculus* | 6 | Autumn |
| *The mathematics subject to study is dependent on the level of mathematics already achieved by the student (HSC or equivalent). Students may only complete one of these MATH subjects. | |||
| 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 | |||
| CHEM106 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter | 6 | Summer |
| Note: Students completing CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wishing to enrol in a 200 level CHEM subject may also be required to complete CHEM106. Please check with the Head of Students for confirmation. | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM211 | Inorganic Chemistry II | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM212 | Organic Chemistry II | 6 | Autumn |
| MEDI211 | Control Mechanisms Physiology | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| 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 | |||
| CHEM358 | Pharmacology | 6 | Autumn. Not on offer till 2018 |
| CHEM374 | Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure Elucidation | 6 | Autumn. Not on offer till 2018 |
| Plus, 12 credit points of subjects from the following list: | |||
| BIOL343 | Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research | 6 | Autumn. Not on offer till 2018 |
| BIOL340 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 6 | Autumn. Not on offer till 2018 |
| CHEM324 | Instrumental Analysis | 6 | Autumn. Not on offer till 2018 |
| Or other subject as approved by the course coordinator. | |||
| Spring | |||
| CHEM325 | Bioinformatics: Genome, Genes and Biomolecules | 6 | Spring. Not on offer till 2018 |
| CHEM360 | Organic Synthesis III | 6 | Spring. Not on offer till 2018 |
| CHEM333 | Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry | 6 | Spring. Not on offer till 2018 |
| Plus ONE subject from the following list: | |||
| CHEM370 | Modern Inorganic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry | 6 | Spring. Not on offer till 2018 |
| BIOL341 | Immunity and Infection | 6 | Spring. Not on offer till 2018 |
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