MChem Chemistry with Drug Discovery

Study with us

• the only course of its kind in Scotland

• trains a new generation of biologically and pharmaceutically-aware chemistry graduates whose mission is to invent better, safer drugs to fight and cure disease

• taught in partnership with the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and is designed in consultation with the major UK drug manufacturers

• researchers at Strathclyde have made real and significant contributions to the fight against disease

• we have a strong relationship with GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, which improves job prospects after graduation

Why this course?

In this course, you’ll study core chemistry classes blended with specialist courses on disease targets, design of selectively-acting prototype drugs, synthetic and mimetic strategies in producing drug prototypes, and the refinement of promising compounds.

Graduates of this course have excellent opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry as well as all the usual careers open to a professionally-accredited chemist.

You can study at a European university for one year of your degree. You can also spend your placement year abroad.

It’s possible to switch between the other MChem courses and also the following shorter BSc degrees within the first three years:

• BSc (Hons) Chemistry
• BSc (Hons) Forensic and Analytical Chemistry
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Drug Discovery

What you’ll study

You'll study foundation classes in Chemistry and Mathematics, and Physics or Biology at an introductory or advanced level. You'll also attend specialist classes such as Use and Abuse of Drugs in Society and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development.

In later years, you'll study subjects including Fundamental Inorganic, Organic and Biological and Physical Chemistry and laboratory work increases.

In Year 4, you'll undertake a paid 12-month industrial placement, normally in the pharmaceutical industry.

In Year 5, you'll specialise in the areas and applications that interest you most and undertake a research project.

Major projects

You’ll complete a research project in one of our specialist research laboratories in your final year when you'll work with full-time researchers on real chemistry challenges.

Postgraduate study

Many graduates from this course go on to complete a PhD in chemistry at Strathclyde or elsewhere. This course equips you for life after graduation, be that employment or further study.

Student competitions

Strathclyde chemistry students also compete successfully for national awards. In recent years, our students have won:

• Salters’ Graduate prize (£1,000)
• Low Carbon Undergraduate of the Year Award
• Carnegie Scholarship
• Most Meritorious Student award from the Forensic Science Society

The Dean of Science recognises exceptional performance each year through the Dean’s certificate for the best students in the faculty. Students can also win prizes including:

• P&G Bursary (£1,000 a year plus a one-year paid industrial placement)
• Chemistry International Alumni Ambassadors UG award for overseas travel (£1,000)
• Group third-year Poster Competition sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline
• The RSC Prize in Analytical Chemistry
• Andersonian Centenary Medal Prize
• Beilby and Huddleston Prize
• ICI Chemical and Polymers Group Andersonian Centenary Prize
• GlaxoSmithKline Prize
• Syngenta Prize

Accreditation

Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Chemist.

Work placement

You’ll undertake a paid 12-month placement in the pharmaceutical industry, either in the UK or abroad. Research and Knowledge Exchange placements within the Department's 'Chemistry Clinic' are also available. 

The Strathclyde chemistry industrial placement scheme is one of the longest-running in the UK, and more than 70 students are placed with companies each year.

Learning & teaching

Each year contains compulsory classes and some years contain either optional classes, which relate to different areas of chemistry and/or elective classes from other subject areas in the University.

In Years 1 to 3, lectures give you the essential knowledge and understanding required by all chemistry graduates. This is supported by small and large group tutorials. Chemistry is a practical subject and you'll gain training in all branches of mainstream practical chemistry.

Your fourth year is a 12-month industrial placement. You’ll continue your studies through distance learning assignments.

In your final year, you’ll study advanced chemistry and complete an independent research project in your chosen field.