2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CHEM5013M Foundations of Drug Discovery

15 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Prof Bruce Turnbull
Email: w.b.turnbull@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

CHEM3013 Foundations of Drug Discovery

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module is designed to provide students with educational resources in specific areas of the subject (organic chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and physiology) which students with diverse backgrounds may have not encountered on their own undergraduate programme. The topics chosen are intended to provide background for core modules on the MSc Drug Discovery and Development programme. Students will choose three topics. For each topic, online and/or written learning resources are provided and students complete coursework (written or online) for which feedback will be provided.

Objectives

To enable students to understand how the multidisciplinary nature of drug discovery and development is underpinned by basic chemical, molecular, and biological sciences.
To provide a diverse intake of students with educational resources in specific subject areas relevant to the MSc Drug Discovery and Development, which they may not have been encountered on their own particular undergraduate programme (e.g. organic chemistry; fundamentals of biochemistry and bio-molecular structure; recombinant DNA technology; pharmacology (pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics).

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of how all the module’s topic areas underpin modern drug discovery and development, as evidenced by the ability to compile an annotated bibliography of illustrative applications of the course material drawn from the scientific literature. Module topic areas include: introductory organic chemistry; intermediate organic chemistry; chemistry of biomolecules; recombinant DNA technology; pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of topics chosen following consultation with the programme leader in order to fill gaps missing from each student’s previous experience, as evidenced by their ability to apply their knowledge in this area to the successful completion of deductive problems.

Syllabus

Students will choose three topics from a list which may include: introductory organic chemistry; intermediate organic chemistry; chemistry of biomolecules; recombinant DNA technology; pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. The syllabus from each topic will include a selection of material which is taught in undergraduate programmes in Leeds. Material will be delivered through online recordings supported by live tutorial workshops to allow students with different backgrounds to learn in a flexible way.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
seminars	13	1.00	13.00
Practicals	1	2.00	2.00
Independent online learning hours			18.00
Private study hours			117.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Online quiz questions with detailed answers provide students with opportunities to test their understanding while working through online resources. Formative feedback is provided during the interactive seminars. Students are provided with example questions before or during seminars and anonymous polls of their answers allow the lecturers to focus their feedback and provide additional explanations where appropriate.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	3 sets of 20 questions on the topics assigned to each student	60.00
Written Work	Annotated bibliography of 10 papers; students will highlight examples of how organic/medicinal chemistry, structural biology recombinant DNA technology, pharmacology; and human physiology underpin real examples of drug discovery and development.	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

This module is graded as pass/fail.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 08/09/2023

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