Module CHEM4311: Frontiers in Molecular Assembly

Department: Chemistry

CHEM4311: Frontiers in Molecular Assembly

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To build on material taught at level 3 and provide students with an advanced overview of more specialised areas at the interface of organic chemistry and chemical biology.

Content

• This module builds on material taught at level 3 and provides an advanced overview of specialised, cutting-edge areas of chemistry. It comprises a collection of 4 themed research focused courses spanning topics at the forefront of chemical research. The topics are: Digital Organic Chemistry; Enzyme Mimicry in Organic Synthesis; Medicinal Chemistry: Drug design, Discovery and Development; and Biocatalysis: Integration of Enzymes in Synthetic Chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

• Classify drugs according to their site and mode of action and critically discuss the relationships between structure and activity.
• Describe methods by which drugs may be discovered and optimised.
• To appreciate how artificial systems can mimic enzyme catalysis.
• To appreciate the use of digital chemistry in the modern research laboratory setting.

• Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Facts and new concepts are introduced in the lecture courses.
• Lectures are used to convey concepts, demonstrate what is required to be learned and to illustrate the application of theory to practical examples. When appropriate, lectures will be supported by written on-line material, or by information and relevant links on Blackboard Learn Ultra.
• Students' knowledge and understanding is tested by examination.
• Workshops are where groups of students consider problems and explore common shared difficulties. Problem exercises provide students the chance to develop their theoretical understanding and problem-solving skills. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
• Private study should be used by students to develop their subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation, through reading textbooks and literature. Students will be able to obtain further help in their studies by approaching their lecturers, either after lectures or at other mutually convenient times.
• Student performance will be assessed through examinations. Examinations test students' ability to work under pressure under timed conditions, to prepare for examinations and direct their own programme of revision and learning and develop key time management skills. The examination will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Workshop problems.