Drug Structure
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR1018 | Pharmacy | 1 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- PHAR1018
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module covers:
Drug structure and bonding
Valency, orbitals, electronic configurations, bond types
Conjugation, aromaticity, resonance
Nomenclature, functional groups
Stereochemistry
This module introduces the basic concepts of molecular structure that underlie the physicochemical properties of drugs and their interactions with pharmacological binding partners. You will learn how to draw the chemical structures of drug molecules, name them, and understand their composition, three-dimensional shape, and flexibility.
Target Students
BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSci Pharmaceutical Sciences with a Year in Industry and BSc Pharmacology (Year 1)
Assessment
- 30% Coursework: Electronic submission of coursework linked to practicals.
- 70% Exam 1 (2-hour): Written in person.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The module provides an integrated approach to develop knowledge and understanding, as well as practical and professional transferrable skills, centred on the chemical structures of drug molecules. Following on from high-school level chemistry, you are reacquainted with basic principles of organic chemistry. Using medicinally relevant examples, the chemical structures of organic compounds are explained in terms of hydrocarbon frameworks, oxidation levels, and functional groups. You will learn to name, draw, and manipulate compound structures. Atomic orbital and orbital hybridisation theory is introduced in order to explain chemical bonding in organic molecules. The synthetic formation of chemical bonds in terms of representations of electronic mechanisms is introduced using examples of simple addition of nucleophiles to electrophiles. Armed with this knowledge, the elucidation of chemical structures using spectroscopic and spectrometric methods is presented to illustrate concepts of structure and bonding. You will be introduced to the physicochemical properties that are relevant to the pharmacological performance of drug molecules, including ionisation, solubility, lipophilicity, permeability, metabolic stability, and toxicity. Conformations and configurations of example drug molecules are examined in order to gain an understanding of the principles that underlie the atomic and molecular interactions of drug molecules with their pharmacological targets.Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
A. Knowledge and understanding:
A1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of principles relating to the chemical structure, synthesis, analysis and design of medicinal agents
C. Professional/practical skills
C2 Undertake practical experimental work using appropriate materials, operating procedures and instruments;
C3 Undertake numerical tasks and carry out quantitative analysis relevant to pharmaceutical science;
C6 Apply and report scientific knowledge in an ethical manner.
D. Transferable/key skills
D1 Critically use information resources, including library and electronic sources;
D3 Communicate effectively in a variety of forms, including written, verbal and visual.