Medicinal Chemistry

The course is classified at the level 90-120 credits for Degree of Bachelor and can be counted as a course at second cycle level for Degree of Master (120 credits).

The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Master's Programme in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry (N2KEL), 2) Bachelor of Science Programme in Medicinal Chemistry (N1LMK), 3) Master's Programme in Chemistry (N2KEM) and 4) Bachelor of Science Programme in Chemistry (N1KEM)

For admission to the course, approved result on the diagnostic tests (part of sub-course 1) and the completed laboratory work and exercises (sub-course 2) in course KEM815 Advanced organic chemistry (15 credits) or the equivalent knowledge is required.

Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

Sub-course 1: Theory (8 credits)

• Advanced organic chemistry applied for producing of medicinal substances; excurse into: heteroaromatic chemistry, pericyclic reactions, radical-, carbene- and organometallic chemistry
• Introduction to medicinal chemistry with short history and future vision
• Pharmaceutical chemistry concepts: agonism, antagonism etc.
• Chosen drug synthesis, structures and effects
• Biological activity: interaction between drug molecules and biological targets (e.g. enzymes, nucleic acids, receptors)
• Introduction into drug discovery and development
• Drug discovery concepts: e.g. DMTA (Design-Test-Make-Analyze)
• Introduction into pharmacokinetics
• Introduction into selected commercial and open-source AI tools in drug discovery

Sub-course 2: Diagnostic tests (2 credits)

The students will have to complete four online tests on the theoretical content of the course (Sub-course 1).

Sub-course 3: Laboratory Work and Exercises (5 credits)

The laboratory work centers around the DMTA cycle for a case study in early-stage drug discovery.

• The lecture part of this module will consist of the in silico design of drug candidates. In this part computational methods and molecular docking of compounds within co-crystal structures will be discussed and applied to conclude a drug design hypothesis.
• The Laboratory sessions consist of multistage synthesis of one or two different target molecules, subsequent analysis of properties in an enzyme assay and final analysis of the results in comparison to the design.
• AI and computational tools will be discussed and applied to predict physico-chemical properties of drug candidates.

The student should on completion of the course have such knowledge and experimental proficiencies in organic chemistry that are required to be able to implement plan, produce and analyse pharmaceutical substances. Knowledge that is received is necessary for continued higher studies in organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Knowledge and understanding

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• comprehensively explain selected drug structure, pharmacological effects as well as function at molecular level
• comprehensively explain interaction between drug molecules and their biological targets
• describe methods for lead generation and optimization of lead compounds

Competence and skills

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• plan and carry out the production of drug molecules via multistage synthesis
• characterize the received substances with appropriate methods.
• conduct DMTA cycles in drug discovery

Judgement and approach

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• critically review results from own laboratory sessions as well as result from research literature
• assess and prevent security threats in connection with all activities that include organic compounds
• judge compounds performance with in multiparametric DMTA cycles

Sub-course 1: Teaching comprises lectures, seminars and group excercises.

Sub-course 2: Self-study (recommended in groups). The tests can be completed individually or within learning groups.

Sub-course 3: Teaching comprises lectures/group exercises, tutorials, excercise and laboratory course.

Sub-course 1: Examination takes place through written examination at the end of the course.

Sub-course 2: Diagnostic tests are organized continuously during the course. The tests can be repeated unlimited times before the final exam.

Sub-course 3: Examination takes place through reports and presentations continuously during the course.

A student who has not passed the regular examination session is offered additional examination sessions.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

Sub-course 1: The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Sub-course 2: The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Sub-course 3: The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Final grade: The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For the final grade Pass (G), Pass (G) is required on sub-courses 1, 2 and 3.

For the final grade Pass with Dstinction (VG), Pass with distinction (VG) is required on sub-course 1 and grade Pass (G) is required on sub-courses 2 and 3.

Students who participate in or have completed course should be given possibility to anonymously perform experiences of and views in the course in a course evaluation.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Language of instruction: English

This course partly replaces KEM825. KEM826 and KEM825 cannot be included in the same degree.