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CH22011: Major therapeutic areas

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWPI 30%, EXCB 70%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CWPI 30%)
  • Closed-book written examination (EXCB 70%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must ( take CH12007 AND take CH12006 )
Learning Outcomes: Apply knowledge of the molecular and physiological bases of a variety of diseases and conditions to explain the mode of action of their comment drug therapies; Compare and contrast drug targeting strategies within major therapeutic areas, including analysing approaches for increasing drug selectivity for intended biological targets; Appraise the challenges associated with drug and biological resistance; Propose strategies for increasing the potency and selectivity of drug therapies against given biological targets; Relate the use of computational methods to biological systems, and its use in drug design.


Synopsis: You will be introduced to some of the most important therapeutic areas in drug discovery using case studies to illustrate how drugs have been discovered and how they function at a molecular level. The use of computational techniques in the drug design process will also be discussed. Topics will include neurotransmitters, cardiovascular drugs, anti-cancer compounds, antibacterial drugs, antiviral drugs, respiratory drugs, hormone therapies, and biologics.

Content: This unit will include the following topics: Neurotransmitters; Receptors (cholinergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic); Cardiovascular diseases; ACE inhibitors; Cholesterol and statins; Oncology; Anticancer drugs; Microbial diseases; Antibacterial drugs; Viruses; HIV therapy; Antifungals; Respiratory drugs; Endocrine drugs; Biologics (peptides, proteins, vaccines, antibodies); ligand-based drug design; docking and virtual screening.

Course availability:

CH22011 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB21 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with study abroad (Year 2)
  • USCH-AFM21 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKM21 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKM21 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with study abroad (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.