NES2405 : Medicinal Chemistry
NES2405 : Medicinal Chemistry
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Celine Cano
- Lecturer: Dr Cristina Navarro Reguero
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
To equip students with knowledge and understanding of drug-receptor interactions, enzyme chemistry and the principles of drug design and drug action. To provide students with an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the action of chosen case study drugs.
Outline Of Syllabus
Principles of Medicinal Chemistry and Enzyme Action
Principles of Medicinal Chemistry - Pharmacokinetics; Lipinski’s rule of five;
Pharmacodynamics; Drug-receptor Interactions
Enzymes - What are enzymes?; How do they work?; Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis;
Enzyme inhibition and co-enzyme catalysis
Physicochemical properties of drugs - Ionisation constants; Aqueous solubility;
Fick’s Law of diffusion; Lipophilicity; Partition and Distribution Coefficients
Isosterism and Bioisosterism in Drug Discovery
Case studies – Design of Small Molecule Enzyme Inhibitors
Drug Design
Drug Discovery and SARs
Lead optimisation
Mechanisms of Enzyme Inhibition
Case studies in Drug Discovery
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of the module a student will be able to:
• understand drug-receptor interactions and theories
• understand the principles of enzyme mechanism and knowledge of some specific examples
• be familiar with quantitative structure activity relationships
• understand how enzyme inhibitors work
Intended Skill Outcomes
At the end of the module a student will be able to:
• recognise specific drug types
• suggest mechanisms for enzyme actions
• solve problems in aspects of medicinal chemistry
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Formative assessment online |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Scheduled lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Exam revision |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | PiP Lecture scheduled LTA, Module introduction |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | End of Semester summative assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 64:00 | 64:00 | Background reading and research |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 6 | 0:30 | 3:00 | Online quizzes |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Module content will be delivered using pre-recorded material and PiP seminars with Q+A, worked examples, case studies, and revision materials. PiP sessions will be interactive to ensure that students actively engage with the subject matter.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 100 | 100% Online exam |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 2 | M | Formative online exam. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The online assessment and one formative piece will test the student's knowledge and understanding of both the medicinal and the modelling lecture material.
Study Abroad students to take their exam before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss this.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2405's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NES2405's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.
You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.
Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.