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Engineering, Mathematics and Science
166
Medicinal chemistry
COURSE CODE:
PLACES 2011:
POINTS 2010:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR075
28
475*
B.A.
Special Entry Requirements:
Leaving Certificate
OC3 or HD3 Mathematics
HC3
In two of: physics,
chemistry, biology,
mathematics,
physics/chemistry,
geology,
geography,
applied
mathematics
or agricultural
science
GCSE
Grade B
Mathematics
Advanced GCE (A-Level)
Grade C
In two of physics,
chemistry, biology,
mathematics,
geology,
geography
or applied
mathematics
Combinations not permitted:
Physics/chemistry with physics or chemistry
Agricultural science with biology
Applied mathematics with mathematics
See also:
TR071: Chemistry, page 144
TR074: Chemistry with molecular modelling, page 160
TR076: Nanoscience, physics and chemistry of advanced
materials, page 167
What is Medicinal chemistry?
Medicinal chemists are the creative talent behind the modern
pharmaceutical industry. As well as being expert chemists, they
have a particular expertise in molecular design, the synthesis of
drugs and the understanding of biological functions.
Is this the right course for you?
Yes, if your dream is to design and prepare new drugs, if
you want to understand the biological reasons by which they
cure diseases, if you have a natural flair for chemistry and
are simultaneously interested in developing skills and expert
knowledge relevant to the rapidly growing pharmaceutical
industry.
Did you know?
n
Medicinal chemists are the professionals behind the
discovery and development of new drugs such as
Taxol, which is manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb
in Swords (Co. Dublin) and has saved the lives of
many women with breast cancer.
Course overview
This degree provides you with a sound general grounding in
chemistry but focuses on, and extends into, topics of relevance
to the design and production of new medicinal compounds and
understanding their biological actions.
The Freshman years
In the first two years you will follow the Science (TR071)
programme, taking chemistry (CH1101 & CH1102), biology
(1101 & 1102) and mathematics in the Junior Freshman (first)
year. In the Senior Freshman (second) year you will take
chemistry and 20 prescribed units of biology with the option
of further biology (20 units) or mathematics (20 units) – see
pages 140-142. In addition, special sessions held specifically
for your group will introduce you to the ideas and techniques of
medicinal chemistry.
The Sophister years
In the Junior and Senior Sophister (third and fourth) years
the course will branch off into the more specialised aspects
of medicinal chemistry, although there will be considerable
overlap with the Chemistry programme (page 144).
The overlap will be mainly in organic chemistry, with less
emphasis being placed on physical chemistry and inorganic
chemistry in order to allow for the introduction of the new
medicinal chemistry units.
In the Junior Sophister (third) year, your special medicinal
chemistry courses will include:
n
Basic principles of medicinal chemistry
n
Pharmacology (how drugs interact with the body)
n
Drug design (how chemists design new drugs for specific
diseases)
n
Anti-viral and anti-cancer agents
n
Anti-microbial and anti-infective agents (compounds
that can combat the microorganisms that cause disease)
n
Anti-malarial chemistry (study of the development of new
drugs in this area)
n
Steroid drugs (study of drugs based on the steroid skeleton)
n
Industrial chemistry (short course on medicinal chemistry
in industry)