BSc Medicinal Chemistry

Programme overview

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2023/2024 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2024 or after, you can find the details of your programme: href="https://webprod3.leeds.ac.uk/catalogue/dynprogrammes.asp?Y=202425&P=BSMEDCHEM-R">BSc Medicinal Chemistry(For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Medicinal chemistry is the science of designing and synthesising new medicines. It is a highly interdisciplinary subject combining chemistry with elements of pharmacology, biochemistry, structural and cellular biology. Whilst modern medicines are diverse in size and function, medicinal chemists focus on how to develop small molecules (usually carbon-based organic compounds decorated with functional groups) into drug molecules using their knowledge of chemistry, and in particular organic chemistry. Such scientists are highly valuable in delivering innovative medicines to treat and prevent global pandemics and other healthcare challenges.

In your first two years you will study the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin medicinal chemistry, including a shared first year with the chemistry programme, then specialising in year two. During these years you will develop laboratory skills and a wide range of graduate and transferable skills like teamwork and data analysis. You’ll also be exposed to the latest research from our globally-recognized research groups.

In your third year (fourth year for programmes with placements) you will have access to a range of options including ethics and business within the degree programme, and you’ll undertake a research project, which allows you to follow your interests and investigate a topic at the cutting edge of medicinal chemistry, as well as further develop transferable skills such as working independently, communication and time management.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
CHEM1102	Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM1204	Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology & Synthesis	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM1205	Chemistry of the Material World	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM1302	Introduction to Modern Chemistry	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM1303	Chemistry and Chemists for a Sustainable Future	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM1402	Introduction to Practical Chemistry and Research Skills	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study a further 10 credits from the following:

Option A:
For students without A level maths or equivalent, or with a grade less than B in A level maths or equivalent, you must take the following module

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
NATS1180	Mathematics for Scientists	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Or option B:

Candidates will be required to study 10 credits of discovery modules.

Discovery Modules

Or option B:
Candidates will be required to study 10 credits of discovery modules.

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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Compulsory Modules

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
CHEM2131	Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM2192	Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM2212	Organometallics: from bonding to catalysis	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM2293	Specialisms in Chemical Science	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM2321	Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM2342	Chemical Pharmacology and Drug Design	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM2452	Practical, Professional and Research skills for Medicinal Chemists	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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Compulsory Modules

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
CHEM3242	Medicinal Chemistry in Drug Development	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM3312	Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM3321	Extended Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry	30	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM3482	BSc Research Project	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Students will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 10-20 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
CHEM3212	Big Data, Big Science	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3612	Chemistry in the Real World	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3621	Ethical Issues in Chemistry	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3667	Chemistry into Schools	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Candidates will be required to study 0-10 credits of discovery modules

Students can select a maximum of one module from the following options:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
CHEM3621	Ethical Issues in Chemistry	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3666	Chemistry into Schools	20
NATS3200	Machine Learning Approaches to Scientific Data Analysis	10

Students will be required to seek approval from the module leader and complete a Change of Module form to enrol on CHEM3666. Students who take CHEM3666 will need to change to a 10 credit Literature Project (CHEM3437) instead of CHEM3480 and choose an additional 20 credits of options.

The award of the Honours Degree requires obtaining a minimum of 300 credits, with a minimum of 100 credits at Level 3 (including CHEM3480 and CHEM3424).

Discovery Modules

Year 4

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Last updated: 30/04/2026 15:54:28

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