Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology
Full Time - Undergraduate Studies
Course Video
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllThis degree is ideal for students who have an interest in chemistry and its applications in biology. Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology are fields populated by chemists who have a good understanding of biology at the molecular level. They’ll be of increasing importance for decades to come to address existing and emerging healthcare problems, e.g. cancer, AIDS, TB and avian flu. Chemical biologists and medicinal chemists will develop the next generation of medicines to solve such problems, and will have an impact across a wide range of areas, including the development of environmentally friendly approaches to process chemistry.
This is a sample pathway for a degree in Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology. Topics include metabolic biochemistry, reactivity of biomolecules, principles of pharmacology, chemical biology of natural products and macromolecules.
First Year
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Optional Science modules
- Elective module
Second Year
- Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology
- + 1 Other Science Subject
- Elective modules
Third Year
- Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology
- Elective modules
Fourth Year
- Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology (includes a research project)
Timetables & Assessment
Each student will have their own timetable based on their individual module selection. This is a full time course and classes may include lectures, practicals and tutorials, depending on the subjects. Students will also be expected to study independently (autonomous student learning). Assessment varies with each module but may comprise continuous assessment of practicals, written exams and online learning activities.
International Study Options
Students have spent time studying at the following universities:
• University of Lund, Sweden
• University of Virginia, USA
• McGill University, Canada
• University of British Columbia, Canada
• University of Colorado at Boulder, USA
• Villanova University, USA
Graduates of the Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology degree will be equipped with the skills to pursue a career in:
- Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals
- Food technology companies
- Cosmetic technology companies
- Fine chemical and chemical development
- Patenting
Graduates can also pursue a PhD in Ireland or abroad in areas such as chemistry, chemical biology, or medicinal chemistry.
“I choose Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology as I really enjoyed both chemistry and biology equally. This subject provides a perfect balance between different aspects of core chemistry principles and their applications within biology. The academic staff and the student at UCD have made the last four years of my life extremely enjoyable. In my penultimate year, I undertook a research Internship at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France. I had the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in phospholipid biochemistry and got the opportunity to travel around Europe at the same time! After I graduate, I hope to enter the area of Drug Development and Clinical trials either via a Graduate Programme or through master programmes..”
Thomas Sheridan, Student
Assistant Professor Marina Rubini
UCD School of Chemistry
Belfield, Dublin 4
Email: marina.rubini@ucd.ie
