FARB2000 Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry Course description

This course covers important groups of pharmaceuticals and natural products, with emphasis on the mechanisms of action. It focuses on the connection between the chemical structure of a pharmaceutical and its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties.  Emphasis is also placed on the ability of pharmaceuticals to interact with their target molecules, and on the structure-activity relationship (SAR) in physiological environments. 

The student must have passed the first year of the programme or equivalent.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe pharmaceuticals’ reactions and reaction mechanisms in a physiological environment
• can give grounds for ATC classification (anatomical therapeutic chemical) of different main groups of pharmaceuticals
• can describe the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of selected groups of pharmaceuticals, herbal medicinal products and phyto-pharmaceuticals
• can explain the use of different derivatives of pharmaceutical molecules and their significance to pharmacological activities
• can describe pharmaceutical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with a focus on how pharmaceuticals are metabolised

Skills

The student

• can assess the structure-activity relationship and molecular mechanisms of action for the main groups of pharmaceuticals, herbal medicinal products and phyto-pharmaceuticals
• can apply new and updated knowledge of phyto-pharmaceuticals and food supplements

General competence

The student 

• can independently acquire knowledge about and assess the properties of a pharmaceutical product and its structure-activity relationship

Subjects covered by the course, with credits specified:

• Medical Chemistry 8 credits
• Natural Product Chemistry 2 credits

Work and teaching methods include lectures, group work and a course in practical handling of prescriptions with student-active discussions. Discussing the discipline with fellow students and teachers is emphasised.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Minimum of 90% attendance at courses in practical handling of prescriptions
• Reports from the course in practical handling of prescriptions in accordance with set criteria

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

Molecular model set and the periodic table

Grade scale A-F

One external and one internal examiner will assess all the papers.

• 10 credits overlap with the course FARMA2010 Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry