BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Medicinal Chemistry

This combined honors degree includes Medicinal Chemistry, where you’ll develop a deep understanding of the complex chemical and biological processes involved in the design and manufacture of drugs and other therapies for treating disease. This course prepares you to help solve problems at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology. The goal of medicinal chemistry is to support the search for new drugs to treat heart disease and cancer conditions. You’ll work in well-equipped laboratories, and learn to conduct effective independent research. Keele also offers support to find an industrial or research placement for a summer. You’ll develop essential skills for employment, such as problem-solving, presentation, and communication.

Year 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Biochemistry
• Core Practical Skills
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills
• Chemical Structure and Reactivity

Year 2

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Gene and Protein Engineering
• Molecular, Cellular and Structural Immunology
• Practical Skills in Bioscience
• Metabolism in Health and Disease
• Cell Signalling
• Molecular Chemistry and Reactions
• Spectroscopy and Analysis (Combined Honours)
• Principles of Drug Design

Year 3

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Bioinformatics and Science Communication
• Mechanisms of Drug Action
• Topics in Medicinal Chemistry

OPTIONAL MODULES

• Structural Biology & Macromolecular Function
• Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Advances in Medicine
• Human Parasitology
• Double Applied Life Sciences Placement – ISP
• Life Sciences Double Experimental Project (with research skills assessment)
• Life Sciences Single Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) – ISP
• Cancer Biology
• Medical Glycobiology (Level 6)
• Chemical Kinetics, Photochemistry, and Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry Research Project
• Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry Dissertation

Employability

When you graduate, the broad and detailed understanding of biochemistry you’ll have developed at Keele will open up a world of appealing career options. You could choose to work in a directly related field, perhaps as a clinical biochemist, medical bioscientist, forensic scientist, research scientist, toxicologist, or science teacher. Or you might branch out a little further, and become a health and safety inspector, training standards officer, science writer, or technical author. Our Medicinal Chemistry graduates have excellent employment prospects, whether at the cutting edge of drug discovery or in a wide range of related fields. You might go to work for a pharmaceutical company, either as a research scientist or in a more business-related role.

Previous Employers 

• 2030 Labs Ltd
• Ashfield Healthcare Communications
• Astro-Zeneca
• Guy Hilton Laboratory
• LGC
• NHS