Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) - 2025/6
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 6
Final award and programme/pathway title
BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| Ord | Chemistry |
| DipHE | Chemistry |
| CertHE | Chemistry |
Professional recognition
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | UCJ10005 | 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | UCJ10018 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Chemistry (Bachelor)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Programme Leader
TURNER Scott (Chst Chm Eng)
Date of production/revision of spec
08/05/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- To develop appropriate practical skills taking into account an awareness of health and safety issues.
- To enhance students' employment potential by encouraging them to put their subject knowledge into practice, enhance their problem-solving and analytical skills, and further develop transferable skills within a working environment. (4-year programme only).
- To give students a well-grounded understanding of chemical theories, the analytical tools necessary to evaluate and conduct chemical research, the capacity to initiate independent thought and enquiry, and the confidence and knowledge to apply these skills in their careers after graduation.
- To give students a well-grounded understanding of investigative concepts and methods.
- To prepare students for possible careers as professional chemists in industry, as academic researchers and for a wide range of related professions requiring critical and analytical skills.
- To provide students with a knowledge of techniques, substances and molecular structures that are important in treatment and diagnosis of disease.
- To provide students with a range of key and transferable skills, integrated into the subject material, including team-working, information technology, communication and problem solving.
- To provide students with a well-founded education in the principles of chemistry, which reflects the QAA subject benchmark statement for Chemistry and provides access to qualified membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry and forms a basis for partially satisfying the academic requirements for the Chartered Chemist (CChem) award through further study or continuing professional development.
- To provide students with a well-founded education in the principles of chemistry, which reflects the QAA subject benchmark statement for Chemistry and provides access to qualified membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry and forms a basis for partially satisfying the academic requirements for the Chartered Chemist (CChem) award through further study or continuing professional development.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate an appreciation of chemistry and medicinal chemistry as empirical sciences. | K | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Understand the distinction between the major branches of chemistry: inorganic, physical, analytical and organic. | K | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Become familiar with the fundamental or generic techniques used in chemical laboratories. | KP | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Appreciate how experimental results are reported in technical reports. | PT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Be able to use relevant generic information technology. | PT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate an understanding of the major theories and principles in the core areas of chemistry and medicinal chemistry. | KC | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Develop an understanding of the concepts of medicinal chemistry in the context of diagnosis and treatment of disease. | KC | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Understand the relationship of medicinal chemistry theory and developments in drug design. | K | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Conduct chemical studies across a broad range of tutor-guided experiments and report on the results. | KCPT | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Be aware of the health and safety issues involved in using chemicals and equipment in .experimental science | KPT | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Be able to use specialised information technology related to chemistry or medicinal chemistry. | KC | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Apply statistical and numerical skills to the interpretation of physicochemical data. | KCPT | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Appreciate the relevance of chemistry to real problems in professional and employment settings, in the context of medicinal chemistry. | KCT | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Analyse, define and develop generic learning skills for independent problem solving. | CPT | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Communicate ideas, chemical and medicinal principles, and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means. | CPT | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Develop the ability to promote oneself through maintenance of professional development profiles and CV. | CPT | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Generate scientific data from open experimental inquiry (a project) and discern and establish connections between the data in the context of theory. | CPT | BSc (Hons) | |
| Synthesize, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary data from a variety of scientific literature sources. | CPT | BSc (Hons) | |
| Be able to design experimental investigations to answer scientific questions in chemistry and medicinal chemistry. | CPT | BSc (Hons) | |
| Learn to work independently or as a member of a team towards a common goal, to solve a problem efficiently. | CPT | BSc (Hons) | |
| Become self-motivated with the ability to study independently. | CT | BSc (Hons) | |
| Work effectively and efficiently in a professional work environment (PTY 4 year programme). | PT | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Be able to leverage subject and transferable skills in a work environment to acquiring knowledge of new techniques as appropriate (PTY 4 year programme). | PT | Ord, BSc (Hons) |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
No Options
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 1 from 2
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Choose 2 from 3 (from CHE3063, CHE 3067 and CHE3066) AND
Chhose 1 from 2 (from CHE3053 and BMS3055)
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
No Options
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 1 from 2
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Choose 2 from 3 (from CHE3063, CHE 3067 and CHE3066) AND
Chhose 1 from 2 (from CHE3053 and BMS3055)
Professional Training Year (PTY) -
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEP007 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) -
No Options
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Global and cultural capabilities are integral, related industries are multinational e.g. petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, mining, consumer products, bulk & specialty chemicals. International cooperation is key, tied to location of resources. Working with people from different backgrounds and being respectful of different cultures is exemplified by team-working exercises. Case-studies reflect diverse contributions, origin of raw materials, and effect on local communities.
Digital capabilities, including AI, are embedded as chemistry relies on creating, collecting, analysing and presenting data. Graduates are confident with appropriate and specialist software or databases e.g. MS Office, Web of Science, Reaxsys, ChemDraw. Training in year 1 & 2 leads to proficiency in year 3 & 4.
Employability is considered by providing skills to become a professional scientist, enter a any profession valuing science graduates, or progress to further study. In all 4-year degrees student placements solve commercial problems. All students are encouraged to join The Royal Society of Chemistry, leading to Chartered Chemist status. Lab skills, writing reports, working to a brief, oral presentations, team working, writing CVs, applying for virtual jobs are assessed.
Resourcefulness and resilience is embedded by ensuring graduates are self-sufficient, able to solve problems and make decisions in any situation. For example, the lab environment requires complementary skills, theoretical understanding, practical ability and awareness of H & S, all used in this dynamic environment.
Sustainability is expressed with a focus on limited resources. The consequences of using resources and mitigating solutions are discussed. Efficient use of chemicals in labs is prioritised, minimising waste. All students take modules linking positive and negative aspects of industry, sustainability and recyclability.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.