CHE 2203 Introduction to Drug Discovery

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

This subject builds upon the work studied in CHE2120 Chemistry 2. Apart from being a vital and exciting part of chemistry, medicinal chemistry acts as a linker between the chemical and the biological sciences in the areas of organic chemistry and structural biology. This course provides a foundation for the interdisciplinary area of medicinal chemistry and is well suited to chemistry, biotechnology and biomedical science students.

SYNOPSIS:

This course is offered in odd years only. It is designed to stress the important principles and concepts of medicinal chemistry and how they are utilised in drug discovery. The course will cover topics such as how compounds are identified, selected & developed into drug products, in silico drug design and discovery, combinatorial chemistry, computer modelling and chemical solubility. A laboratory component is included to complement the work covered in the theory component.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the principles behind chemical identification and lead compound development;
2. demonstrate an understanding of basic combinatorial strategies;
3. use of the techniques of molecular modelling and computer assisted calculations to find possible lead compounds;
4. utilise their practical experience in basic medicinal chemistry techniques.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

There is no prescribed text for this course at this time, however, recommended reading for this course will be advised.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Lecturer will advise due dates of the laboratory reports.

2.

Lecturer will advise the date of the 90 minute restricted test - Quiz 1 early in the Semester.

3.

Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete the practical reports satisfactorily, students must submit each report for correction no later than one teaching week (normally 7 days) after the completion of the xperimental work. To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must submit every laboratory report, achieve 50% of the available marks for laboratory reports, and achieve at least 50% in the test and in the examination.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   In a Restricted Examination, candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination. With the Examiner's approval, candidates may, take an appropriate non- electronic translation dictionary into the examination. This will be subject to perusal and, if it is found to contain annotations or markings that could give the candidate an unfair advantage, it may be removed from the candidate's possession until the appropriate disciplinary action is completed.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Supplementary work for this course must be submitted by the end of week 5 of the following semester. Any Deferred examinations will be held at a time suitabke to both the student and the course but must occur no later then the end of the next semester's exam period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES