Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Course Objectives

This course aims to provide the students with a basic understanding of the principles of pharmaceutical chemistry from a synthetic chemist's point of view.  Particular emphasis will be placed on introducing the molecular basis of drug action.  The various stages in the drug research and development will also be discussed in the course.

Course Contents

• Basic principles
• Biology and biochemistry principles
• Biochemical models of drug actions: receptor theory and enzyme kinetics
• Design of drug molecules: chemical principles, structural modifications and synthesis
• Drug metabolism: toxicology and delivery
• Drug examples and their molecular mode of action

Teaching Timetable

Sep 8 22 29

Oct 6 13 20

Nov 3 10 17 24

Dec 1    

Marking Schemes and Exams Timetable

• Essay: 15%. Details to be announced
• Mid Term examination: 35%.  10:30-12:15 Oct 27; UCC C1 (United College)
• Final examination: 50%.  Centralized

References

• Coulson, C. J., Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Action, Taylor & Francis Ltd., 1988.

• Silverman, R. B., The Organic Chemistry of Drug Design and Drug Action, 2nd edition, Academic Press, Inc., 2004.

• Patrick, G. L., An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, 2005.

This site was last updated on 20 Aug 2009