Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Drug Design and Chemotherapy
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: BMS11105
Module leader: Usama Ammar
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Life Sciences
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

This module is designed to deal with the different strategies and approaches of drug design of new chemotherapeutic candidates targeting different biological targets. You will learn how to evaluate existing and new biological targets and contemporary drug design methods (chemical and biological) to combat these disease states. This module provides you with the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of basic and essential drug design approaches of major chemotherapeutic classes targeting life-threatening diseases: notably, cancer; viral and resistant bacterial infection. You will expand your knowledge to understand the mechanism of action of protein kinases in the biological signalling pathways and how you can target these proteins in different disease. You will develop the required knowledge to identify the key possible interactions between the drugs and their biological targets through different workshops using computer software. You will reinforce the relevance and importance of the principles of chemotherapy in targeting cancer disease through targeting key intracellular biological components. You will learn the basic aspects of targeted therapies, targeted protein degradation (TPD), and design of prodrugs. This module is designed to provide you with the essential aspects of mechanisms of multidrug resistance (MDR) and contemporary drug design of antibacterial drug candidates. In addition, you will expand your knowledge to learn the novel concepts in drug design treatment strategy in the context of chemotherapy such as monoclonal antibodies and antibody conjugated therapy. On completion of this module, you should be aware of the significance of the isosteric drug design approaches and its application in designing new drug candidates targeting different biological targets and understanding the structure activity relationship (SAR) of these candidates. You will be integrated into a number of tutorials and practical sessions to develop the practical skills required to conduct synthetic chemical reactions to build up potential drug-like candidates and purify them using column chromatography technique.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically explore novel concepts in drug design and treatment strategy of anticancer, antimicrobial agents in the context of chemotherapy.

LO2: Critically engage with the basic aspects of targeted therapies, and design of prodrugs.

LO3: Analyse the key aspects of structure activity relationship (SAR) in modern drug design in the context of chemotherapy.

LO4: Critically explore basic components of computer aided drug design (drug-target interactions) to build up drug-like candidates and purify them using different chromatography techniques.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Usama Ammar
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 20 A series of lectures will be provided to understand the key essential components of Drug Design approaches of anticancer and antimicrobial agents through targeting different cellular proteins.
Face To Face Tutorial 8 A group of tutorial-based activities will be provided to expand your knowledge of basic methods in Drug Design applications.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 24 A number of dry-based and wet-based experiments will be conducted through different workshops and practical sessions to expand your knowledge on how to identify the key binding interactions between the drug-like candidates and the target proteins. In addition, the synthetic chemistry of the potential drug-like candidates will be carried out through a number of wet-based experiments to afford the target derivatives in pure forms using column chromatography.
Online Guided independent study 148 Throughout the trimester, you are expected to allocate time to reflect on the learning you have undertaken in your scheduled sessions and to complete your essential reading. You are encouraged to read more widely around the topics you are studying and engage in Moodle exercises and resources. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient time to prepare and plan for your assessment tasks.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Class Test 40 4 Week 9 HOURS= 3 hours This summative assessment will evaluate your ability to carry out essential techniques in Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry to identify the binding interactions between drug-like candidates and target proteins. In addition, it will assess your ability to conduct, monitor, and purify a range of chemical reactions.
Centrally Time Tabled Examination 60 1~2~3 Exam Period HOURS= 3 hours This summative assessment will evaluate your overall knowledge and understanding of the topics and subject areas covered through lectures and tutorial-based activities. It will assess your understanding of the key concepts involved in the drug design and development of new drug-like candidates.
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
[BMS11105] Drug Design and Chemotherapy
 

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