Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Science, MRes

This course covers a diverse range of materials, pharmaceutical and medicinal research and includes a substantial research lead project.

Why study this course?

Develop your knowledge of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Science by studying the complexities of organic synthesis, synthesis of biologically important molecules and NMR spectra. Other areas of study include synthetic strategies involved in drug synthesis, disease state and the role of chemotherapeutics and synthesis of drug-like molecules.

You can expand your interests further by selecting a pharmaceutical lead research project within one of our diverse range of internationally recognised research groups.

Gain hands on experience

As well as working and studying under the direction of world leading pharmaceutical and medicinal science staff you will gain hands on experience of a variety of modern instrumentation including multi-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR), mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Academic staff

Our staff were entered in the Subjects Allied to Heath Care 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and were ranked as 4* (world-leading). These results put pharmaceutical and medicinal science research at NTU at the highest level.

Scientist from AstraZeneca and Vectura deliver some of the module content relevant to their work place. Other guest lecturers also present their research from a variety of other companies and universities.

Contact details
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 3242

How do you study?

Terms one – three: three taught modules plus a Research project

Modules

Organic Synthesis and Characterisation of Biologically Active Compounds - 20 Credit Points (CP)
Develop knowledge in the synthesis of relatively complex organic molecules. Topics include: retrosynthetic analysis and total synthesis of biologically important molecules; the controlled formation of C-C bonds and functional group transformations; and structure elucidation of complex molecules.

Chemotherapeutics - 20 CP
This module covers drug action and synthesis including the underlying methodology applied to the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. Areas include: cancer therapies, antibacterial agents and synthetic methodology.

Research Methods and Independent Study - 20 CP
This module provides an underpinning in research skills relevant to the independent study. You will be introduced to the techniques required to formulate a research project and to carry out a literature review. You will be given practice in the use of the library and learning resources including relevant IT packages.

Research Project - 120 CP
You will work on laboratory-based research and will evaluate and review the scientific literature relevant to the topic. Design and conduct experimental work, and present the findings in the form of a presentation, poster and a written thesis.

Example of project titles

• Drug delivery devices
• MRI contrast agents
• Peptide-mineral interactions
• Biomineralisation
• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Asymmetric Synthesis
• Small Molecule Approaches to the Elucidation of Protein Function
• Multiplexing
• Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
• Fluorescence Microscopy

Assessment methods

You will be assessed on a variety of components including:

• written exam
• oral presentation
• assignment
• poster presentation
• thesis

You will have access to a range of first-class facilities and equipment at the School od Science and Technology. Our laboratories are modern and well-equipped with:

• up-to-date scientific, electronic and computing equipment
• a modern electron microscope suite.

You will also have access to specialist facilities for:

• gas and liquid chromatography
• mass spectroscopy
• atomic absorption spectroscopy
• structure determination including powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction
• solution and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)
• infrared spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy.

Rosalind Franklin Building
This new facility, opened in 2012, will provide you with access to some of the best laboratory teaching facilities for Chemistry in the UK. The large teaching laboratory space is equipped with modern IT facilities and equipment ensuring that you receive excellent training in practical laboratory techniques and modern analytical methods.

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Facility
We invested £2.3 million in the construction of this building in 2002. This has proven to be a worthwhile investment, as this facility supports the School's extensive biomedical research activities.

Natural Sciences Research Facility
This facility supports and enhances the School's research in physics, biosciences, chemistry, imaging, materials and sport.