MSci Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry (F153)
The Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a year in industry degree provides the type of training required to work in the pharmaceutical industry in the discovery and development of new medicines. This four year course is the same as our Pharmaceutical Chemistry (F152) degree, except that the 3rd year is spent working within the pharmaceutical industry; this is a salaried year, but also counts towards your final degree. Since the number of placements is limited, competition is high. The overall emphasis of the degree is focused on training in synthetic organic chemistry, while also providing a good foundation in other branches of chemistry. However, you will graduate with the additional benefits of a detailed understanding of the professional (scientific, ethical and financial) practices of the pharmaceutical industry. Students on the programme undertake a major research project as well as specialist advanced modules in their final year. All laboratory chemistry teaching is undertaken in the multi-million pound state-of-the-art laboratories housed in the Joseph Priestly building.
This programme is recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (external link).
Programme structure
An exciting and cutting edge programme, designed in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, to train students in the practical and theoretical skills required for a career in drug discovery and development.
Year 1
Required modules – Essential skills for chemists, Atomic, molecular and ionic structure, Elements of physical chemistry, Foundations of organic chemistry, Heredity and gene action, Basic biochemistry, Kinetics and coordination chemistry, Organic functional group chemistry.
Year 2
Required modules – Animal physiology, Constructing organic molecules, Introduction to drug action, Techniques for biological and chemical sciences, Chemical pharmacology, Chemistry of biological molecules, Molecules from first principles, Transition metal chemistry.
Year 3
Required modules – Contemporary inorganic chemistry by distance learning, Synthesis of pharmaceutically active molecules by distance learning, Molecules and ions at interfaces by distance learning, Pharmaceutical chemistry industrial placement.
Year 4
Required modules – Advanced chemistry project, Colloidal chemistry, Organic synthesis 1, Organic synthesis 2, Biological and medicinal inorganic chemistry, Drug, design and development.
Entry requirements
- Normally 300 points at A2 level
- Grade B in A2 Chemistry is required;
- AVCE Applied Science, BTEC National Certificate, BTEC National Diploma is not accepted;
- A2 Mathematics is desirable;
- International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall, must include Chemistry (HL) and two other subjects to be specified (HL or SL) with grade 5
- For more information on entry requirements visit the SBCS general entry requirement page.