Organic Chemistry: Drug Discovery

Below are details about the MRes programme for 2022 to 2023. From the 2023 to 2024 academic year, the programme will be offered as an MSc. Further information about UCL graduate programmes can be found on the UCL Graduate degrees page. This programme is also accredited by the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry).

The Organic Chemistry: Drug Discovery programme has been developed in response to the needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors for highly qualified students as leaders in the discovery of new medicines. The pharmaceutical sector is a major employer in the UK and high-quality graduates with an understanding of the sector are always in demand. Our recent graduates have taken up PhD positions, are working in industry and have entered teacher training.

Degree Structure:

The programme provides a thorough foundation in drug design, advanced organic synthesis and biological chemistry, together with modules on research techniques, professional development and entrepreneurship. Students will carry out a substantial research project on organic/medicinal chemistry or chemical biology over a ten-month period.

Delivery: MRes students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The MRes programme for 2022 – 2023 consists of the following modules:

• Research Project (105 credits)
• Transferable Skills for Scientists (15 credits) with a career development plan focus
• Advanced Synthetic Techniques (15 credits)

Plus one of the following two options:

• Principles of Drug Design (15 credits) and Topics in Modern Chemistry (30 credits)
• Topics in Modern Chemistry (45 credits) if you have already taken the Principles of Drug Design module

The MSc programme from 2023 – 2024 consists of the following modules:

• Research Project (90 credits)
• Masters Literature Project (30 credits), which is linked to the area chosen for the research project
• Transferable Skills for Scientists (15 credits) with a career development plan focus
• Advanced Synthetic Techniques (15 credits)

Plus one of the following two options:

• Principles of Drug Design (15 credits) and Topics in Modern Chemistry (15 credits)
• Topics in Modern Chemistry (30 credits) if you have already taken the Principles of Drug Design module

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

For all prospectus information: 

• Full course details can be found on the UCL Prospectus