Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry
Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry Advanced

course description

Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry

Medicinal Chemistry covers all elements of the development of new medicines for human use, including the isolation of new medicinal agents from natural sources, the design and synthesis of new drugs, and understanding the cause of diseases at the molecular level.

Medicinal chemists design and synthesise new medicinal and pharmacological agents; develop new dosage forms; monitor guidelines for testing drugs and undertake analyses; assist with drug regulatory affairs; assess patent applications for new drugs; and teach in tertiary institutions.

The degree provides excellent training in the modern techniques of chemical science applied to medicine. This includes specialised courses in drug discovery and design, using both rational, computer-aided and bioprospecting approaches. As well as a fundamental training in the chemical sciences, you will also study the concepts needed to understand the effects of the disease state on the human body and the role of drugs. Topics of study include physiology, pharmacology and cell biology.

If you do not qualify for direct entry to the degree you may gain admission via the Bachelor of Science, subject to satisfactory performance in first year and approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Sub Dean.

The Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) is awarded for meritorious performance in third and especially fourth year subjects.

Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry Advanced

The Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry Advanced Program is designed specifically for high-achieving students interested in a challenging degree leading to a career in scientific research.

All are invited to participate in various enrichment activities throughout the program and, after the first year, to develop a close association with an appropriate member of one of the faculty's research teams.

Advanced students have the opportunity to undertake individual research subjects. Students are normally required to achieve at least a Distinction average in subjects completed in a calendar year.

In the final year, all students undertake a substantial piece of supervised research in their major discipline, together with other required seminar and/or course work.

Graduates may then be eligible for direct enrolment into a research doctorate in their chosen field or into other postgraduate degrees.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements, English requirements and credit transfer information are available from the Course Finder:
Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry
Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry Advanced

Course Structure

Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.

Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.

Students must complete a minimum of 32 credit points of 300-level subjects.

Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in at least 24 credit points of 300-level core subjects which form part of a Science major.

Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (755)

This is a prescribed program of study comprising core and optional subjects as set out below.

Progression Requirements

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (normally a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% or greater in 300-level subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry degree. Students with a WAM below 70% in 300-level subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry with the approval of the Medicinal Chemistry Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Medicinal Chemistry) degree.

Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry Advanced (755_2)

Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all the same requirements as Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry candidates but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges.

Progression Requirements

To maintain a place in an Advanced degree, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75% in the 200 and 300 level subjects completed. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Faculty after the completion of 72 credit points. Students not meeting the minimum progression requirements will be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry or Bachelor of Science degree. 

Honours

The Degree of Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry Honours is awarded for performance in third and fourth year subjects, based on a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) formula in accordance with Method 3 as defined in the General Course Rules Section 8.

Professional Recognition/ACCREDITATION

This degree structure is designed to meet the qualifying standards of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and students meeting the course requirements will be eligible for corporate membership as Chartered Chemists.

OTHER Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
UOW Course Finder (Advanced)
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au