CH2MC1NU: Medical Chemistry (NUIST)

Module code: CH2MC1NU

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr John McKendrick, email: j.e.mckendrick@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Candyce Clark, email: c.r.clark@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Fengping Peng, email: 002812@nuist.edu.cn

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The study of medicinal chemistry is the study of the development, testing and biology of organic molecules designed to treat disease. This module acts as a gateway, in that we develop concepts from Biology and Chemistry to show how important they are in the drug design an improvement process. Through study you will begin to appreciate the skill and knowledge that chemists in this field must master as part of this vitally important career.

Aims: To build on the basic concepts of Organic and Physical chemistry to develop an understanding of the basic principles of medicinal chemistry. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. State and discuss the main pathways of primary metabolism.
2. Discuss the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs.
3. Understand the role of amino acids and non-amino acids in biochemical transformations.
4. Explain the function of some classes of enzymes in terms of the chemical reactions that are catalysed.

Module content

Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry

A study of the pathways for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of drugs paying particular attention to how this relates to their action at the appropriate cellular targets. Methods for studying and affecting a drug’s ADME will be examined, e.g. prodrugs, Log P etc.

Aspects of Mechanism in Biology

A study of selected primary metabolic pathways of the cell with particular reference to correlation of enzymatic processes to organic chemical mechanisms. Understanding glucose metabolism will lead to an appreciation of how nature uses the principles of Organic and Physical chemistry in the catabolic and anabolic processes. The interrelationship of biochemical pathways, interdiction with drugs after the first committed step of a pathway and the problems and advantages of biochemical feedback.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Two one hour lectures per week (one per topic) with approximately two hours of workshop/seminars in the spring term on related material. The lecture hours in the Summer Term are for revision.

Study hours

At least 36 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative workshops will be held to prepare students for the assessed tutorial questions.

Reassessment

Additional costs