Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) | 2017

Overview

Medicinal Chemistry covers all elements of the development of new medicines for human use, including the isolation of new medicinal agents from natural sources, the design and synthesis of new drugs, and understanding the cause of diseases at the molecular level.

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 degree provides excellent training in the modern techniques of chemical science applied to medicine. This includes specialised courses in drug discovery and design, using both rational, computer-aided and bioprospecting approaches. As well as fundamental training in the chemical sciences, you will also study the concepts needed to understand the effects of the disease state on the human body and the role of drugs. Topics of study include chemistry, physiology, pharmacology and cell biology.

The Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) (Dean’s Scholar) is designed specifically for high-achieving students interested in a challenging degree leading to a career in scientific research.

All students are invited to participate in various enrichment activities throughout the program and, after the first year, to develop a close association with an appropriate member of one of the faculty's research teams.

Students in this program also have the opportunity to undertake individual research subjects. Students are normally required to achieve at least a Distinction average in subjects completed in a calendar year.

In the final year, all students undertake a substantial piece of supervised research in their major discipline, together with other required seminar and/or course work.

Graduates may then be eligible for direct enrolment into a research doctorate in their chosen field or into other postgraduate degrees.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) will be able to:

1. Demonstrate extensive and coherent knowledge of the principles and concepts associated with chemistry.
2. Demonstrate extensive and coherent knowledge of the principles and concepts associated with the design and synthesis of medicinal agents, their mode of action and their biological interactions.
3. 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.
4. Exercise critical analysis of observations and data from primary and secondary sources.
5. Integrate and apply knowledge and skills associated with medicinal chemistry to plan and execute a substantial research project.
6. Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to others through a variety of media.
7. Apply knowledge of research principles and research skills in a variety of research contexts. 

Course Structure

Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.

Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.

Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 300-level core subjects which form part of a Science major.

Progression Requirements

To maintain a place in the Dean’s Scholar program, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75% in the 200 and 300 level subjects completed. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Faculty after the completion of 72 credit points. Students not meeting the minimum progression requirements will be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Medicinal Chemistry).

Honours

The class of Honours awarded is based on performance in third and fourth year subjects, based on a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) formula in accordance with Method 3 as defined in the General Course Rules Section 8.

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