Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry BSc

This is the first module that you'll take as an undergraduate student. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamental concepts in chemistry and introduce you to the key practical skills that every chemist needs.

You'll learn how to apply key concepts and interpret chemical information to solve basic problems through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work.

You'll cover topics including an introduction to organic chemistry, how to identify and analyse different chemicals and elements, and the structure of atoms, molecules and solids. You'll also start to build a strong foundation in laboratory techniques.

This module continues to develop your understanding of the foundations of modern degree-level chemistry and associated laboratory skills. 

You'll learn about core principles from inorganic, biological, organic and physical chemistry through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work.  You'll learn how to apply these core principles to address chemical problems, and understand the behaviour of atomic and molecular systems.

You'll continue to advance your knowledge of essential laboratory skills, by conducting independent experimental work and data analysis.

This module provides first year chemistry students with the broader academic and professional skills required to study chemistry at degree level. The module includes fundamental physics and mathematics, data analysis, computing skills, and searching and using the scientific literature. Students will also undertake a group project on the standards and values expected of a professional chemist.

The module has been designed to introduce students to varied methods of learning and teaching used throughout the programme including online self-led activities, lectures and group work.

Chemistry plays a crucial role in the world around us, acting as the backbone of fundamental biological processes and helping to create a sustainable future. This module explores how chemistry explains the principles behind the biology we experience in our day-to-day lives, and the contributions chemists can make to society, with a particular focus on sustainability. 

You'll learn about the strong link between human activity, the biological world around us and sustainability. You'll also develop the ability to explain scientific concepts to a range of audiences, working in groups to produce infographics, videos and magazine articles.

This module integrates advanced practical work with digital fluency and professional development. 

You'll refine your technical competence through a diverse range of experimental techniques across inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry. Beyond acquiring data, you'll focus on the critical evaluation of results, learning to draw evidence-based conclusions from your findings. 

Complementing your laboratory skills, you'll develop an understanding of the growing role of digital chemistry. You'll utilise chemical databases to retrieve information and apply computational methods to model molecular systems and process experimental data. 

We'll also explore chemistry's place  in a commercial context, challenging you to transform a scientific concept into a business opportunity, while critically reflecting on your own professional development and career aspirations.

This module expands upon fundamental concepts established earlier in this course to investigate the relationship between chemical structure and reactivity.

You'll explore the diverse chemistry of main group elements and transition metals, applying concepts of symmetry and bonding to rationalise their behaviour in both molecular and solid-state systems. In parallel, you'll develop strategies to manipulate organic molecules, examining the mechanisms and selectivity that govern the reactions of key functional groups.

This module builds upon the physical and analytical chemistry foundations established earlier in the course to focus on the quantification and modelling of chemical systems. 

You'll delve into the principles of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics, applying theoretical models to understand the behaviour of chemical systems. You'll also develop the skills to interpret analytical data, using the principles of separation science and applied spectroscopy to elucidate the structures of both organic and inorganic compounds.

This module expands upon the core concepts established earlier in the course to provide a deeper insight into how chemists think, moving from observation to design and fundamental explanation. 

You'll explore the logic of retrosynthetic analysis, learning to deconstruct complex organic targets to devise efficient synthetic strategies. This strategic approach extends to materials science, where you'll be introduced to polymer chemistry and the principles governing macromolecular properties.

In parallel, you'll investigate the mechanistic behaviour of transition metal complexes, providing a rigorous understanding of their reactivity. You'll also delve into the theory of spectroscopy, uncovering the fundamental quantum mechanical rules that dictate how light interacts with matter.

This module explores the fundamental chemical principles that drive complex cellular processes.

You'll examine the relationship between the structure, folding and function of essential biological molecules. This will include the mechanisms and kinetics of enzyme catalysis, and the molecular mechanisms involved in DNA replication, transcription and translation.

You'll apply computational tools and interpret real-world data from modern spectroscopic and structural biology techniques to visualise and study biomolecular structure and interactions. By developing a mechanistic understanding of these processes, you'll gain an essential foundation for further study in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry.

Through this module you'll hone the skills and knowledge required of a graduate-level professional.

You'll undertake extended project work, which will include relating project work to the literature, setting project aims and objectives, planning and carrying out the work, and reporting it using disciplinary conventions.

You'll investigate how your academic studies relate to either research, society, or industry. You'll develop an understanding of where your degree could lead you and reflect on your career ambitions.You'll also undertake activities to develop the professional skills needed to complete applications for employment or further study.

Building upon core principles established earlier in your degree, this module explores the frontiers of organic chemistry. You will examine the electronic and stereochemical frameworks used to predict reaction outcomes, alongside the physical-organic principles used to investigate reaction mechanisms. By engaging with modern synthetic methodologies, including catalytic transformations and the construction of complex molecular scaffolds, you will learn to devise viable routes for the synthesis of target molecules and assess the experimental evidence supporting proposed reaction mechanisms.

Building upon core principles established earlier in your degree, this module explores the frontiers of physical chemistry. You will examine the mathematical models that underpin our understanding of matter alongside the advanced techniques used to characterise it. By critically analysing the interplay between measurement and modelling in complex systems, you will gain a deeper appreciation of the laws governing chemical behaviour, equipping you with the quantitative tools necessary to tackle advanced problems.

Building upon core principles established earlier in your degree, this module explores the frontiers of inorganic chemistry, including the synthesis, properties and characterisation of inorganic compounds and materials. You will examine how fundamental aspects of structure and bonding govern the reactivity of coordination complexes and organometallic compounds as well as their magnetic, optical and catalytic properties. By investigating modern structure determination techniques, you will develop the skills required to rationalise the properties of diverse compounds, from molecular catalysts to advanced solid-state materials.

This module explores the multidisciplinary frontier where chemistry meets biology. Medicinal chemistry has fundamentally reshaped global healthcare and extended life expectancy. Modern medicine extends beyond small molecule drugs, embracing chemical biology to develop  DNA, RNA and protein-based therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics. 

You'll investigate the molecular mechanisms of disease and evaluate the chemical tools used to probe complex biological systems.

Moving from theory to therapeutic application, you'll formulate strategies for the rational design and development of precise, personalised treatments.

You'll critically evaluate the synthetic routes used to develop organic, inorganic, and biopolymer-based drugs. You'll also explore cutting-edge concepts including bioorthogonal chemistry, combinatorial discovery, and the potential of sequencing and gene editing technologies.