CH2MENU-Medicinal Chemistry

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Available only to students on the BSc Applied Chemistry programme
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr John McKendrick
Email: j.e.mckendrick@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is a 16 week long and practice oriented. It is designed to help students to briefly understand biochemistry related processes and also the basic principles applied in medicinal chemistry.

Module Lead: Ying Li (yingliubc@qq.com)

Aims:

This module is intended to develop students’ abilities to understand basic principles of medicinal chemistry and apply the knowledge to certain medicinal cases.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Analyze and discuss the biological process of drug metabolism.


2. Understand fundamental enzymatic processes and be familiar with the roles amino acid residues may play in the transformations.


3. Discuss and understand the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs. Briefly understand drug administration and drug delivery


4. Discuss drug discovery, design and development. Understand the SAR relationship.

Additional outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students should be able to apply the knowledge in daily life.

Outline content:

Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry (1 lecture)

To briefly introduce drug and drug targets and highlight the importance role of medicinal chemistry in developing novel drugs.

Biomolecules in nature (2 lectures)

To introduce the common biomolecules with their basic structures and functionalities in biological systems, including amino acids, peptides, proteins, deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, carbohydrates, cholesterols, fatty acids, lipids, etc.

Basic enzymatic process (4 lectures)

Introduction of enzymes and mechanisms of enzymatic processes. Understanding the enzyme kinetics, especially Michaelis-Menten equation. Understanding the enzyme-substrate complex as well as concepts of reversible and irreversible inhibition. Brief introduction of coenzymes and vitamins.

Metabolism pathways (8 Lectures)

Introduction to metabolism, including the thermodynamics and bioenergetics using ATP. Using glucose metabolism (glycolysis), citric acid cycle, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism as examples to demonstrate the processes of catabolic and anabolic process.

Pharmacokinetics (7 Lectures)

Introduction of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME), administration, and delivery. Understanding concepts of pro-drugs, logP, etc.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Each lecture is two-hour long. The total lecture hours are 48 hours, including lectures and workshops. Students are encouraged to study topics independently.

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures	48
Guided independent study:	52
Total hours by term	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	60
Written assignment including essay	10
Oral assessment and presentation	20
Class test administered by School	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One 2-hour exam (60%)

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Presentation                                        20%

Workshop & assignments                      10%

Midterm examination                            10%

Formative assessment methods:

In the module students do the quiz for each session of topics.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy.

Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University-administered re-examination period in August. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022