We live in a new era with detailed knowledge of genes and genomes and the ability to determine three-dimensional molecular structures, to understand how these molecules interact in our bodies and to create complex molecules. We offer three exciting, purpose-built degrees: Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery (formerly Pharmaceutical Chemistry) and the two related degrees Drug Design & Mechanisms and Biomolecular Drug Discovery which utilise these advances to tackle one of the biggest fundamental issues in healthcare - the design and creation of smarter, safer and better drugs against diseases such as cancer, diabetes, malaria and AIDS.
They are interdisciplinary degree programmes, combining chemistry with biology, pharmacology, biochemistry and modern computational methods, and they include an option to spend a year working in the pharmaceutical industry to gain first-hand experience. You will acquire skills that are in great demand in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
The College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is superbly placed to deliver this training, having recently formed the Drug Discovery Unit which takes the knowledge gained from fundamental studies to form a foundation for translation into novel drug-like leads through a combination of high throughput screening, structure based design and medicinal chemistry. You will study within a College that is an acknowledged world leader in several important areas of biomedical research - including the field within which almost one third of current drug discovery programmes are targeted.
We have designed the degree programmes so that you will learn about appropriate elements of chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry and modern computational methods within the context of the design and development of new medicines. The three degrees have a common first and second year programme of study. In year three, each degree has an area of specialisation while still retaining broader aspects of core science. In the Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery programme your speciality will be medicinal chemistry whereas, in the Drug Design and Mechanisms programme it will be pharmacology, and in the Biomolecular Drug Discovery programme it will be biochemistry.
These degrees are available as 3, 4 or 5 year Honours degree programmes and can include a paid year, between Levels 3 and 4, working in industry at a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company. This option will be available to students who have reached a required standard at Level 3. It provides a unique opportunity for work experience with leading local companies or one of several major multinational pharmaceutical companies with which the University of Dundee has close links.
At Level 4 your studies will be at the cutting edge of drug design and development, with particular emphasis on aspects related to your speciality subject. You will undertake a 15 week project under the supervision of a leading scientist and take eight units chosen from a broad menu that includes structural biology, informatics and enzymology (i.e. how to design drugs) and advanced synthetic organic chemistry (i.e. how to make drugs).
The Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery degree is recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry for associate membership (AMRSC).
As a graduate with any one of these degrees you will have acquired a wide range of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills and the degree can lead to a wide range of careers including:
Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery
Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery with a year in industry
Drug Design and Mechanisms
Drug Design and Mechanisms with a year in industry
Biomolecular Drug Discovery
Biomolecular Drug Discovery with a year in industry
Dr Linda Morris
