Drug Design & Biomedical Science MSc



Our course is unique in Europe; it combines biomedicine and pharmaceutical science
Overview

If you're interested in a career in the fascinating and challenging world of drug design, this is the course that will take you there.

Rather than presenting just one of the disciplines used in the field, this postgraduate degree, unique in Europe, blends the subjects you need - biomedicine and pharmaceutical science - into one comprehensive course that focuses on the integration of modern organomedicinal chemistry and molecular biology.

You’ll study various steps involved in developing and creating effective drugs, from concept to clinic, including the theories and practical applications of chemical drug design and immunology, pharmacology and molecular biology.

Learning will be based on emergent technology from academic research and how it is applied to the drug development process, identification of drug targets, and development of effective drugs via reference to the relevant biological systems and pathways. 

Collection of test tubes

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Part-time)

Duration:

1 year

Start date:

SepJan

Course details

This course provides the knowledge, understanding and practical experience you’ll need to forge a rewarding career in research and development in the pharmaceutical, bioscience or healthcare sectors. You’ll develop in-depth understanding of disease processes and molecular targets and an ability to apply this knowledge and theory to key aspects of drug design and biomedical science.

Equipped with the ability to follow developments in the field, you’ll learn to apply them to your work and make innovative contributions to the industry that will benefit others. Complex issues often arise in this field: you’ll acquire the skills necessary to make informed judgements and effectively communicate decisions.

There is an emphasis on developing your practical laboratory skills with various opportunities for hands-on experience in a range of current techniques and practices. In your final trimester you’ll undertake an independent project within a vibrant biomedical or drug design research team, allowing you to apply and further develop your technical, research and professional skills. There may be the opportunity to conduct your research project externally in a relevant organisation or industry in the UK or overseas.

You’ll also develop key skills including communication, problem solving, team work, project management, and leadership.

  • calendar How you’ll be taught

    You’ll learn through interactive lectures, workshops, tutorials, site visits and laboratory sessions, and by engaging with guided independent study. Site visits and/or guest lectures may also be arranged to enrich your learning experience. A variety of assessment tools are used to enhance and evaluate your learning.

    This is a full-time course and is split up into three trimesters. You can choose to start in either January or September.

    Duration:

    • September starts: 12 months
    • January starts: 18 months with a three-month break over the summer (after the first taught trimester)
  • note and pen Assessments

    Your assessments are mapped out across your programme and include formative work to help practice your skills, as well as summative work which will build on this preparatory work.

    These are carefully spaced out across each trimester to avoid clashes and include many different types of assessment such as essays, lab reports, posters, oral presentations, short discussions, class tests and exams. Some of these assessments involve group-work, whilst others are individual.

    For example: In the Advanced Immunology module, you will undertake a group poster assessment, and a class test. In the Current Practice in Drug Development module, you will undertake a critical review and an exam.

  • library Facilities

    The MSc Drug Design & Biomedical Science programme is delivered at our landmark Sighthill Campus where students learn in state of the art laboratories equipped with, for example, industry standard HPLC and GC/MS instrumentation; cell tissue culture hoods; confocal microscopy and flow cytometry equipment, to ensure we meet the needs of students entering employment and research roles in the biomedical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Advanced Immunology ( BMS11100 )

In this module you will gain a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the cells, molecules and functions of the human immune system. You will learn about the role of the immune system in diseases such as autoimmune disorders and allergy. You will also learn about immunotechnology aspects including blood typing, transplantation, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, illustrating the value of immunology in diagnosis and therapeutics.

The innate and adaptive immune responses; the cellular and molecular components of the immune system; inflammation and vaccine adjuvants; role of dendritic cells and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs); antigen processing and presentation; role of B and T cells in immune responses; immunological techniques e.g. flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); immune tolerance and autoimmune disease; transplantation; tumour immunology; hypersensitivity; Monoclonal antibodies and therapeutics.

Further information

Biotechnology and Drug Discovery ( MIC11108 )

You will be introduced to emerging technologies in the Biomedical Sciences discipline (e.g. Stem cells, Genome editing, Immunotherapy) and learn how they are being applied to transform drug development and delivery. You will develop important, transferable scientific communication skills by presenting a seminar and by synthesis of written reports.

Further information

Current Practice in Drug Development ( BMS11104 )

You will develop a demonstrable understanding of the principles of drug development at the molecular level and the practices currently adopted in industry. You will focus on the historical origins of existing drugs and contemporary methods being used to develop new ones. You will learn to appraise and analyse physical parameters and data on drug candidate molecules. Industry-modelled case studies, individual and group activities will enhance your presentational and organizational skills to achieve competency in workshop preparation and delivery; and in writing scientific research reviews.
Origins and new sources of drugs; natural products and new pharmaceuticals; the drug discovery and development process. Molecular modelling. Stereochemistry: a source of problems in medicinal chemistry. Structure-based drug design; pharmacophore-based drug design; QSAR. Physicochemical properties and drug design: electronic factors, lipophilicity, partition coefficient, steric parameters, prediction of drug-receptor interactions, ligand binding studies. Drug formulation, prodrugs. Computational techniques: analysis of conformational space, molecular graphics and the visualisation of molecules. Molecular diversity. Combinatorial libraries and modern methods of synthesis. Current approaches to the chemotherapeutic treatment of (selected) diseases: cardiovascular disease, inflammation, cancer, viral- and bacterial- infection, diabetes, asthma, cognitive disorders. Patent application procedures and IP maintenance; legislation.

Further information

Drug Design and Chemotherapy ( BMS11105 )

The module is focussed on the chemical principles of drug design of new chemotherapeutic agents in relation to the identification and validation of emerging biological molecular targets. The emphasis is on major classes of life-threatening disease: notably, cancer; viral and resistant bacterial infection. You will learn to evaluate existing and new biological targets and contemporary drug design methods (chemical and biological) to combat these disease states. You will develop the skills required to conduct searching laboratory experiments and to produce written scientific reports to research publication standards. You will benefit from industry-based guest-lecturer input, in support of integrated lectures, tutorials, workshops, molecular modelling activities designed to develop your key skills and confidence necessary to work and progress in the field of drug research.
Emphasis on: molecular targets in cancer: characterisation and structure of biological targets (genes; enzymes; receptors; nucleic acids). Design, synthesis and mechanism of action of inhibitors of telomerase, the G-quadruplex, DNA-topoisomerases, matrix metalloproteinases. Targeted therapies, drug delivery mechanisms, design of prodrugs; macromolecular prodrugs and nanoconjugates. Synthetic oligonucleotides, PNAs, DNA-and RNA-binding ligands: design and applications. Synthesis and development of non-nucleoside antiviral agents: HIV integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors. Peptoids and peptide mimics. Mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired drug resistance and MDR. Contemporary drug design to combat resistant bacterial and protozoal infections.
Laboratory work in selected drug synthesis, methods of purification and characterisation; solution and solid- phase combinatorial peptide methodology and biological (including enzyme) assays; molecular graphics.

Further information

Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology ( BMS11110 )

The module will provide you with an introduction to the major aspects of the scientific study of drugs in man, not just with respect to the design of optimum drug therapy, but also looking at the differences between pharmacology and toxicology. You will learn about how drugs work, their limitations, and the variability of response. You will study how cells transduce messages from the plasma membrane into the cell and nucleus. You will learn about how the body’s endogenous signalling system works and how this informs drug development. This includes the basic principles of receptor theory, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and their relevance to establishing the theoretical and practical basis for the rational clinical application of drugs. You will also examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicology.

This includes the basic principles of toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), and the factors affecting each. You will examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of xenobiotic toxicity, together with toxicity testing in the pharmaceutical industry. You will gain an insight into how intracellular signalling mechanisms can be manipulated, resulting in new research methodology. You will also engage with the literature surrounding molecular pharmacology and toxicology in order to understand recent developments in research in this area.

You will cover the concept of ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors, intracellular kinase cascades, calcium signalling and linked control of transcription factors. Manipulation of signalling cascades in therapeutics and research. Basic principles of receptor theory, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and rational drug design. Introduction to toxicology. Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. Detailed descriptions of specific toxicant and pharmacological examples. In vitro and in vivo models of toxicity. Mechanisms of xenobiotic toxicity and toxicity testing.

Further information

Quality Control & Pharmaceutical Analysis ( MIC11113 )

You will develop an appreciation and understanding of solid dosage form manufacture carried out in industry and the quality control tests performed before a final dosage form reaches the market. You will gain knowledge of the combination of ingredients that make up pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations (API & Excipients) and the different types of tests, required at different stages in order to comply with the high standards required by regulatory authorities such as the FDA and MHRA.
In the laboratories, you will gain hands-on analytical experience on industry-standard equipment including HPLC and UV instrumentation. You will become familiar with different types of chromatography and learn how to operate, maintain and troubleshoot these techniques. You will learn how to handle and prepare solid dosage forms for analysis by spectrophotometric and chromatographic analytical procedures and you will maintain GLP/GMP compliant lab books.
You will benefit from guest lectures and workshops from industry-based professionals from CMOs (contract manufacturing organisations) and CROs (contract research organisations) which will give you the insight necessary and preparation for work in the pharmaceutical, health, medical devices and food industry.
Formulated drug products (FDPs); Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs); and excipients which make up the formulation, binders, disintegrators, solubilizers, taste masking agents. How choice of excipients determines parameters such as PK (pharmacokinetics) and route of administration of the medicine.

A range of batch release tests conducted by the industry defined by the appropriate Pharmacopeia’s; raw material testing, validation batch testing, assay of active content, degradation and stability studies, dissolution profile testing, uniformity of dosage units and physical characterisation.
Instrumental analytical techniques including UV/Vis spectrophotometry, TLC, HPLC and Mass spectrometry. Theoretical and practical knowledge of different types of chromatography.
Practical HPLC operation for analysis of pharmaceutical samples, maintenance and troubleshooting. Mobile phase preparation, standards and sample preparation and API extraction for analysis. Analysis and quantification of multi-component systems.
Knowledge of ICH guidelines and regulatory standards (such as MHRA) and processes for originator, generic and biopharmaceutical industries.
Maintenance of a GLP compliant lab book and knowledge of GMP.


Further information

Research Project ( BMS11102 )

In this module you will conduct an independent piece of research, either as a practical laboratory-based project, or a piece of qualitative research (e.g. surveys). This involves design, development and implementation of a programme of research in a particular field of study relevant to your programme of study. You will critically analyse data/information generated, and communicate the outcomes in a written report, which will develop your skills in scientific writing. This will give you experience in summarising information and presentation skills.
On-line literature searches. Literature review. Project formulation. Hypothesis generation. Experimental design. Development of practical skills/research technique. Data generation/collection and analysis. Use of appropriate statistical analysis. Evaluation of findings, critical analysis and conclusions, with reference to supporting literature. Communication of original research results in a report written in the style of a scientific paper.



Further information

Research Skills ( MIC11107 )

In this module you will relate the physico-chemical properties of RNA, DNA and protein to the common methodologies and technologies used for molecular analysis. In doing so, you will understand the parameters that can be varied in the optimisation of a methodology and will be able to predict the effect of alterations to these parameters. You will study the current developments that are taking place in molecular analysis and critically review the application of this technology to areas of interest in biomedical sciences and biotechnology. A series of practical laboratory sessions will help you gain experience in commonly-used practical techniques relating to the lecture material. DNA purification, restriction and quantification; Cloning – vectors, ligation, screening and analysis of clones; Gene expression and protein purification; Protein analysis – quantification, detection and mass spectrometry; Principles of nucleic acid hybridisation and DNA synthesis to applications in PCR, sequencing microarrays and gene silencing techniques (RNA interference); In silico analysis and manipulation of RNA, DNA and protein sequence information (bioinformatics); “-omics” – comparative and functional genomics, proteomics.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

School of Applied Sciences

Our applied approach to science and social sciences makes a positive impact both nationally and internationally. Through our strength in research, and our reputation for 5-star teaching (QS), our graduates are recognised as work-ready from day one.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above, or equivalent. 

We look for applicants to have a background in bio-molecular sciences such as biological sciences, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical or medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, virology, molecular biology, forensic science in order to be eligible for the programme.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience.

English language requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

Admissions policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £6,930 tba
Overseas and EU £18,540 tba

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.
For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees

Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships

The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers
  • Drug discovery and/or drug design
  • A laboratory-based career with global pharmaceutical companies, developing biotechnology companies, contract drug testing, hospitals, NHS, local government or health and safety divisions
  • Further studies at PhD level are available at institutions all over the world leading to an academic career.
Close up of an empty packet of medical drugs