Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds University College Cork (UCC)

Overview

BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds (CPC) is an interdisciplinary course focusing on the chemistry and biology of the pharmaceutical industry and includes a five-month industrial placement.

The course is an excellent pathway to careers in the pharmaceutical industry and is accredited by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Industry experts lecture on pharmaceutical technology, regulatory issues and the industry in Ireland.Our placement scheme includes application and interview training. Interviews with companies will be organised.

Core subjects include organic, analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, supported by modules on physical and inorganic chemistry, physiology, mathematics and physics.

Final-year research projects are written on pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical bio-science.

Course Details

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• analyse and solve problems relating to pharmaceuticals
• outline the fundamental chemistry and biology of pharmaceuticals
• design experiments in pharmaceutical chemistry and biology
• communicate with pharmaceutical scientists
• engage with the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, and appreciate the opportunities and challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry

Year 1 Modules:

Core

BL1002Cell, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5 credits);

BC1001Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease (5 credits);

BL1004Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5 credits);

MB1003Microbiology in Society (5 credits);

CM1200Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry 1 (10 credits);

MA1001 & MA1002Calculus for Science I & II (5 credits each);

PY1010Physics for Biological and Chemical Sciences (10 credits)

Electives

BL1005Introduction to Ecology (5 credits);

BT1001Biotechnology (5 credits);

CM1201Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry 2a (10 credits)

Year 2 Modules:

Biomolecules; Principles of Metabolic Pathways ; Main Group and Transition Element Chemistry; Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry; Energetics and Kinetics; States of Matter;
Structures and Reactions of Main Group Compounds; Aromatics, Carbonyls and Alkenes; Spectroscopy; Structure, Bonding and Quantum Mechanics; Introductory Molecular Biology;
Physiology

Year 3 Modules:

Structural Biochemistry; Molecular Biology; Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds; Analytical Chemistry; Natural Products and Reaction Mechanisms; Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Pharmaceutical Solids and Technology; Pharmacology; Toxicology; Chemotherapy and Pharmacology of Inflammation

In addition, you will undertake an industrial placement between Years 3 and 4 over the five-month period June-October.

Year 4 Modules:

Core

Protein Science; Advanced Organic Synthesis, Biosynthesis and Reactivity; Physical Organic Chemistry; Advanced Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Pharmaceutical Chemistry Drug Design and Development; Work Placement; Neuropharmacology; Applied Pharmacology & Toxicology

Electives

Range of Research Projects

See the College Calendar for further information on the Programme and the Book of Modulesfor further details on module content.

Fact File

Course Code: CK402

Course Title: Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds

College: Science, Engineering and Food Science

Duration: 4 years

Teaching Mode: Full-time

Qualifications: BSc (Hons)

NFQ Level: Level 8

Costs: Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2016/17 the Student Contribution Charge will be EUR 3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be EUR 165.

2017 Entry Requirements: Refer to CK402

Entry Points: CK402: 480 in 2016. Points may vary each year.

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours:Lectures usually take place in the mornings between 9am and 1pm.You will usually have between 8-12 lectures per week.

Expected lab/practical hours:Laboratory practical classes are generally in the afternoons between 2pm and 6pm. You will usually have three laboratory classes per week.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal Examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including laboratory practical reports, written assignments, interactive small-group tutorials, and by poster and oral presentations.

Application Procedure

Refer toCK402.

Entry requirements for this course

Contact University College Cork (UCC) to find course entry requirements.

View foundation and pathway programmes to help you meet academic and language entry requirements.