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Biological and Medicinal Chemistry MChem

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,C

112 UCAS tariff points to include A-level Chemistry minimum grade B. Please note that where a science A-level is taken, the University will require applicants to pass the practical element (for A levels awarded from August 2017 onwards).

As UCAS Tariff. Science subject required. Must include a minimum of 12 credits of Chemistry at minimum Distinction.

112 UCAS tariff points to include Higher Level Chemistry at grade 6 and two other Higher Level subjects at grade 5. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B. (Language A: Literature, Literature and Performance and Language ab initio are not accepted).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM

As UCAS tariff. BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science with relevant chemistry units (please list units on your application so we can assess)

As UCAS Tariff. To include Scottish Advanced Higher Chemistry at minimum grade B.

T Level

M

Overall Merit from the following T Level routes: • Science • Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing • Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing • Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control • Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction • Building Services Engineering for Construction

UCAS Tariff

112

112 UCAS tariff points to include A-level Chemistry minimum grade B. Plus GCSE English, Mathematics and a Science at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Medicinal chemistry

Chemists with a good understanding of the biosciences and an ability to apply their chemistry knowledge to biological and medicinal problems are in high demand.

The interface of chemistry and bioscience is one of the leading areas driving 21st century research and development. Science is becoming more and more interdisciplinary as we seek solutions for environmental problems, such as carbon capture and the ability to do greener chemistry, and the development of targeted and personalised medicines.

Many of the most important recent discoveries have been made at the interfaces of chemistry and biology, and chemists are needing to become well versed in both biological and medicinal chemistry. This degree course has evolved to reflect this and will equip you with the traditional tools of organic synthesis and the necessary biology and biochemistry you need to succeed. We will give you hands-on experience across a range of disciplines, even including areas such as computational chemistry to solve medicinal and biological chemistry problems.

The University of Bradford is home to the School of Chemistry and Biosciences, which is one of UKs leading departments working at the interface of the molecular and life sciences. The School has significant expertise in biomaterials, structure, discovery of antibiotics and physiology alongside the traditional chemistry disciplines and students benefit from a unique multi-disciplinary environment. From your very first day as a student in chemistry, you will be taught by scientists working in the School of Chemistry and Biosciences who are actively involved in discovering new drugs and understanding complex biological processes and disease mechanisms.

During the first two years of study you will develop a sound understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, with core content delivered across organic, inorganic, physical and biological chemistry with options in other biosciences.

The third year we will introduce you to specialist content in medicinal chemistry and biological chemistry, including topics such as bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry. Taught components at this level include both chemistry and bioscience modules. You will also have the opportunity to study a specific subject across chemistry and the biosciences to a greater depth during an extended dissertation.

It is possible to exit after stage 3 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry.

In the Master's year you will develop a deeper understanding of the application of chemistry in the life sciences. Master's-level training focuses on developing a depth of knowledge within medicinal and biological chemistry that is linked to real-world problems. For a significant part of this year, you will work on a research project within leading research teams at the interface of chemistry and biosciences.

**Professional accreditation**
Students can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

**Rankings**
Our BSc and MChem Chemistry programmes received 94% overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2020.

Modules

Year 1: Inorganic Chemistry 1 (core), Organic Chemistry 1 (core), Physical Chemistry 1 (core), Practical Chemistry 1 (core), Elective (option) Year 2: Inorganic Chemistry 2 (core), Organic Chemistry 2 (core), Physical Chemistry 2 (core), Practical Chemistry 2 (core), Elective (option) Year 3: Bio-organic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry (core), Introduction to Polymer and Colloid Science (core), Molecular Analysis (core), Organic Chemistry 3 (core), Practical Chemistry 3 (core), Stage 3 Research Project (core) Year 4: You must choose 2 of the 3 Advanced Topics in Chemistry modules: Computational Drug Design (core), Drug Discovery and Development (core), Stage 4 Research Project (core), Synthetic Chemistry for Medicinal Chemists (core)

Assessment methods

Students will demonstrate their achievement via written closed-book examinations using constructed (essays, short answers) and selected response (MCQ) questions and a variety of coursework assignments, including laboratory reports, oral presentations and dissertations. The development of learning outcomes will be through involvement in laboratory, small-group workshops, case-based work and projects (individual and small group). They will be assessed by critical appraisal, case analysis and critique, case presentations, laboratory reports and dissertations.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£22,180
per year
International
£22,180
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University of Bradford

Department:

School of Chemistry and Biosciences

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What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Chemistry

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

96%
UK students
4%
International students
58%
Male students
42%
Female students
72%
2:1 or above
30%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
B
E

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Chemistry

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£18,732
low
Average annual salary
93%
low
Employed or in further education
76%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

34%
Science, engineering and production technicians
24%
Natural and social science professionals
9%
Other elementary services occupations

Chemistry graduates are in demand from a wide range of industries, from the food, oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to consultancy, technical analysis and teaching. They're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills — anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. If you want a career in research, you need a doctorate, so start planning now if you fancy one of these exciting and challenging jobs - but good students can usually get grants to take a doctorate, so don't worry about the financing if you think you have what it takes. The recession wasn’t too kind to chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists), but things are getting back to normal for this flexible group and it's one of the few degrees that is bucking the current trend and increasing graduate numbers.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Chemistry

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£23k

£23k

£24k

£24k

£28k

£28k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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