“By creating we think, by living we learn” Patrick Geddes
| Degrees available: |
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| Academic School: | College of Life Sciences, School of Learning and Teaching |
| How to apply: | Apply through UCAS |
| Institution Code: | D65 |
The three Drug Discovery-based degrees – Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Drug Design and Mechanisms and Biomolecular Drug Discovery – are concerned with healthcare – the design, chemical synthesis and testing of new medicines. Drug Discovery is a practical science at the interface between Chemistry, Pharmacology and Biology that includes modern computational methods. We live in a new era with detailed knowledge of genes and the abilities to determine three-dimensional molecular structures and to create complex molecules. These Drug Discovery degrees utilise these facets to identify drug targets against diseases such as cancer, diabetes, malaria and AIDS and to design and create new cures and safer, more effective drugs whilst also allowing you to specialise in one of three areas, namely chemistry, biochemistry or pharmacology.
The College of Life Sciences is superbly placed to deliver these Drug Discovery degrees. The University of Dundee's world-renowned research activities in molecular and cell biology and drug design mean that students are taught by a team of experts who work at the cutting edge of their field. Each of the three Drug Discovery Honours degrees is available either as a five-year programme with a year in industry or a four-year programme without a year in industry. Advanced Entry at Level 2 of these programmes is available for suitably qualified students. The degrees with a year in industry provide an exciting opportunity for work experience with a leading local or international biotechnology or pharmaceutical company with which the University of Dundee has close links.
Any one of these related degrees can lead to a wide range of careers including research and development in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries; chemical, pharmaceutical or biomedical research in universities or research institutes; teaching in further or higher education; scientific publishing; scientific patenting or further professional education and training. The interdisciplinary nature of the programmes also provides generic skills that are applicable to many careers. These degrees are recognised by The Royal Society of Chemistry for associate membership (AMRSC).
We use a variety of teaching methods, with lectures and practicals forming the core. In addition, we use workshops, tutorials, computer-aided learning, and field excursions, as appropriate to each module.
All modules are assessed by a combination of in-course and end-of-course procedures. Regular in-course assessments (e.g. practical reports, computer-based exercises, essays and data processing exercises) provide feedback on your progress and help you prepare for end-of-module examinations. On-line assignments are used extensively at Levels 1 and 2, with access via a PC on or off campus. Peer assessment operates in many team projects.
There are regular meetings of staff-student liaison committees. While this provides a forum for formal contact, there is also opportunity for informal contact between you and academic staff, whom you will find friendly and approachable.
| Typical Degree Programme Example | |||
| Honours Degree | |||
| Advanced Entry Honours Degree | |||
|
Level 1
6 modules including Molecular Science A Molecular Science B and at least 2 from Biomolecular Mechanisms Environmental Biology Evolution and Biodiversity Genes, Heredity and Development Level 1 provides a general introduction to the life sciences. Through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions you are provided with a firm grounding in biology, from molecules to whole organisms, plus the necessary chemical principles. You can combine your Life Sciences modules with up to two modules from outside the Life Sciences, in subjects such as Environmental Science, Psychology, IT, Mathematics or a foreign language. |
Level 2
6 modules Biomolecular Chemistry: Shape and Function Biomolecular Chemistry: Theory and Application Cellular and Molecular Biology Comparative Physiology Genetics Drugs and Drug Targets Semester 1 is broadly based and multidisciplinary. You study chemistry and other core topics of importance to all areas of the Life Sciences, such as genetics and physiology. In Semester 2 you will begin to focus on the subjects in which you have chosen to specialise. You will study chemical structures, the methods applied to their characterisation, the investigation of their functions and molecular interactions in biology |
Level 3
4 modules Analytical and Prognostic Chemistry Preclinical Drug Discovery Genome Science Organic Chemistry You will study synthetic organic chemistry with reference to biological and pharmaceutical applications, the theory and applications of NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis, protein structure prediction and modelling, mechanistic enzymology, drug targets and drug leads, pharmaceutical development, metabolism and drug interactions. |
Level 4
8 units Advanced study of topics in the area of your degree subject, at the level of current research in the field of drug design and development. You will choose units from a range of topics including
You will also be able to choose other topics from a wide range of specialist research areas according to your personal interests. Research project An important feature of Level 4 is your project. Several formats are available including laboratory-based research under the supervision of a leading scientist, computer modelling, multimedia teaching packages, literature and electronic database review. |
All Life Sciences degree programmes share common core modules at Level 1 that provide a general introduction to the life sciences through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions.
Level 2 begins to introduce the various subject areas within the life sciences, in which you might subsequently specialise, but remains broadly-based and multidisciplinary. There are opportunities to study in the USA or Canada at Level 2, through the Transatlantic Student Exchange scheme.
At Level 3 you specialise much more in your chosen degree subject, although many of the degree programmes allow you to keep your options open by continuing to study a second degree subject. Many students take advantage of opportunities for summer work placements, normally between Levels 3 and 4, which are available as externally-funded competitive placements, or as voluntary laboratory work.
Between Level 3 and the final Honours year, students on the F154 degree programme spend a year in industry, working in a local or national pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.
Your studies at Level 4 will be at the level of current research in your chosen subject area and involve extensive use of scientific literature and the opportunity to attend a regular programme of seminars given by invited speakers from Britain and abroad. You choose a research project from an extensive list of options. This can be a laboratory-based project in the laboratories of one of the leading research groups in the field; it can be a field-based project, taking advantage of the location of Dundee within easy reach of a very wide variety of natural habitats; it can be a library- or computer-based project involving web design, analysis or review of scientific data, or a school-based science education project.
Two broadly-based degree programmes, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, provide an opportunity for you to graduate with a life science degree that does not involve an excessive degree of specialisation. The Joint Honours degrees allow you to study two subjects to the same level of specialisation.
Throughout your scientific studies you will be developing transferable skills. Running from Levels 1-3 is compulsory transferable skills module: SPELS (Skills, Professionalism and Employability in Life Sciences), a transferable skills module taken by all Life Sciences students. Your degree programme will involve a combination of independent learning and team work, through which you will develop your skills in information processing, use of computers, problem-solving, experimental design, analysis and critical evaluation of scientific literature, report writing, making presentations, communication and time management. These are important elements of all of our degree programmes, and they will help to ensure that you have the skills to make you attractive to a wide range of employers.
See the full structure of the BSc Biological / Biomedical / Biomolecular Sciences degrees as well as further general information.
All Life Sciences degrees have the same entry requirements except Forensic Anthropology (please visit the Forensic Anthropology webpage for further details).
| Typical Entry Requirements | |
| Higher | BBBB |
| A-Level | CCC |
| Essential Subjects | Biology or Chemistry (H or A-Level) Chemistry and Mathematics (Standard Grade/Intermediate 2/GCSE) |
| Advanced Entry | |
| Advanced Higher | BB (AH) + BB (H) in other subjects |
| A-Level | BBB |
| Essential Subjects | Biology and/or Chemistry, preferably both, at AH or A-Level. If not both, at least B at H or AS Level in whichever is not taken at AH or A-Level. Mathematics (Standard Grade/Intermediate 2/GCSE) |
| Alternative Qualifications | |
| EDEXCEL | A relevant HNC in an appropriate Science with Merit (Level 1 entry) A relevant HND in an appropriate Science with Merit (Level 2 entry) |
| BTEC | A relevant National Diploma in an appropriate Science at MMM (Level 1 entry) A relevant National Diploma in an appropriate Science at DDM (Level 2 entry) A relevant HND (Level 2 entry) A relevant HND with at least 6 merits in specified units (Level 3 entry) |
| SQA | A relevant HNC with grade B in the graded unit (Level 1 entry);
applications for Level 2 entry will be considered individually. A relevant HND with grade BB in the graded units (Level 2 entry); applications for Level 3 entry will be considered individually. |
| ILC | BBBB at Higher Level including Biology or Chemistry at grade B. Mathematics and Chemistry are required at Ordinary Level grade B, if not offered at Higher Level (Level 1 entry). |
| IB | 28 points including Biology or Chemistry at Higher Level grade 5 (Level 1 entry) 34 points including two appropriate subjects, normally Biology and Chemistry, at Higher Level grades 5 and 6 (Level 2 entry) Subsidiary Level Mathematics is required for all degrees |
| European Baccalaureate | 70% or better, including Biology or Chemistry (Level 1 entry) |
| SWAP Access to Science Programmes | Relevant subjects with overall grade B (Level 1 entry) |
| Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website. | |
Your personal statement should demonstrate an interest in the subject you are applying for and a commitment to the study of that subject. How did your interest in the subject arise, and do you have a particular career path in mind?
You should comment on your participation in both school/college/work and extracurricular activities and on the extent to which they have aided in your personal development and the acquisition of skills that will be of value to you as a life sciences student.
If you are planning a gap year, comment on the intended activity and the benefits that you think you are likely to gain from the experience.
Give careful consideration to both the style and content of your personal statement as it can be an indicator of your ability to communicate as well as providing an account of your personal achievements and skills.
It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in 3 years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.
Diana Davidson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland
Telephone: 01382 384 029 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 029 (from outside the UK)
Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk
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