Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements Academic entry qualification overview: Please consult our Admissions Office if you are interested in applying and do not have A-levels but are offering alternative qualifications. English language: Minimum of grade C in English Language. A level: Grades ABC including Chemistry and one other science or maths subject. AS level: Two A/S-levels are accepted in place of one A-level. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: A good range of subjects including English, Maths and Sciences with minimum grades of A-C. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 32 points overall with at least 16 at Higher Level including Chemistry plus at least one other science subject from Maths, Physics or Biology at Higher Level. English must be offered at standard level. Professional entry qualification: Please consult our Admissions Office for further assistance. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleMChem Medicinal Chemistry
Course descriptionCourse description MedicinalChemistry is for you if you have a strong interest in the biological aspects of chemistry. In addition to the core courses, you take top-rated courses such as: foundation biology, medicinal and pharmaceutical biochemistry, rational drug design and chemotherapy.
Special features
We take good care of our students and have multiple tutors to oversee the process - from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in overall charge, Academic Tutors in all branches of the subject, a programme tutor for the F150 course, and a Personal Tutor for each student.
MChemMedicinalChemistry is aimed at students with a strong interest in the biological aspects of chemistry. As well as traditional chemistry topics you will take courses such as foundation biology, medicinal and pharmaceutical biochemistry, rational drug design and chemotherapy in the top-rated School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
We are also proud of our innovative PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) scheme. The PASS scheme provides additional support in the area of the current week's tutorial. It is entirely voluntary and third and fourth year students help first years to tackle problems defined by the content of the current tutorial. The emphasis is on showing students how to think about the problems, how to develop problem-solving skills and how to get the most from the educational resources available.
Course content for year 1
Core chemistry topics in the first year include:
-Thermodynamics
-Kinetics
-Quantum chemistry
-Organic reaction mechanisms
-Natural product chemistry
-Stereochemistry and heterocyclic chemistry
-Structure and bonding
-S, P and D block chemistry
-Mathematics
You will also attend classes on foundation biology and medicinal biochemistry.
Course content for year 2
The second year continues developing the core and extends topics from first year including:
-Molecular spectroscopy
-Bonding and reactivity
-Surfaces and interfaces
-D and F block chemistry
-Molecular symmetry
-Metal-ligand bonding
-Polymer science
-Structure determination
-Stereochemistry
-Heterocyclic chemistry
-Selective Toxicity
-Medicinalchemistry
You will also attend courses which cover a range of presentational, computer, and IT skills. In addition you will also attend courses on foundation biology and medicinal biochemistry in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Eligibility for continuation on the MChem programme is at the discretion of the Programme Director based on your general performance and your second year mark. If you are not eligible, you will transfer to the BSc MedicinalChemistry programme.
Course content for year 3
In the third year of the MChem programme you study advanced courses in Organic, Natural Product and MedicinalChemistry as well as Chemotherapy and Rational Drug design. Practical work in the third year takes the form of a laboratory class.
Course content for year 4
In the fourth and final year, you carry out an extended project in Organic Chemistry or Pharmacy (in association with one of the Schools' research groups). You study specialist courses in chemistry and medicinalchemistry, including commercially important drugs and advanced chemotherapy and attend specialist lectures chosen in consultation with your project supervisor.