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SL12101: Fundamentals of pharmacy: the chemistry of drugs

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 15 [equivalent to 30 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 300
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWSI 10%, EXCB 90%
Assessment Detail:
  • MCQ (EXCB 30%)
  • Analysis and interpretation of data (CWSI 10%)
  • SAQ (EXCB 60%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, the students will be able to:
  • Appreciate 3D shape of molecules; identify stereochemistry and assign stereochemical descriptions.
  • Understand bonding and present fundamental reaction mechanisms relevant to drugs/biological systems.
  • Appreciate how physiochemical properties of a molecule influence its behaviour as a drug.
  • Use spectroscopic data in chemical structure elucidation and problem-solving.
  • Demonstrate practical experience of using a variety of analytical instruments to explore selected pharmaceutical applications and demonstrating data handling and interpretation skills.



Synopsis: By the end of the unit, the students will be able to: Discuss 3D shape of molecules; identify stereochemistry and assign stereochemical descriptions. Explain bonding and present fundamental reaction mechanisms relevant to drugs/biological systems. Recognise how physiochemical properties of a molecule influence its behaviour as a drug. Apply spectroscopic data in chemical structure elucidation and problem-solving. Describe the use of a range of analytical instruments to explore selected pharmaceutical applications and demonstrate data handling and interpretation skills.

Content: The Chemistry of Drugs - the concepts Orbital theory, electron configurations and hybridisation Introduction to isotopes, radioactivity and radioactive decay Bonding (covalent, ionic, hydrogen, intermolecular) Electron density, inductive effects and mesomeric effects Systematic nomenclature and drawing of small molecules and drugs Functional groups and their conversions Stereochemistry; recognition and assignment of chirality, relevance to drugs and receptors Carbonyl group chemistry and biochemistry Reactions of alkenes and aromatic groups (properties, reactions and biochemistry) Introduction to oxidation/reduction reactions and applications in biological systems Molecular (chemical) basis for drug degradation Introduction to spectroscopy and overview of analytical techniques; Pharmacopoeias: tests and QC Practical laboratory experience of UV-visible spectrum; fluorescence, infra-red spectrometry Workshop exercises to develop interpretation skills of NMR, IR and Mass spectroscopy

Course availability:

SL12101 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences

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.