Core Module Information
Module title: Pharmaceutics: Small Molecules

SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: BMS08109
Module leader: Giacomo Russo
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 seeks to develop your understanding of the basis of organic chemistry with a focus on small molecules. After an introduction to the key concepts covering understanding of the reactions of organic compounds, including chemical bonds, valence, molecular orbitals and their interactions, you will become familiar with main functional groups (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids, acyl derivatives along with nucleophiles and electrophiles and how to generate them for use in synthesis) in organic chemistry. Additionally, the module provides skills to graphically represent these molecules in three dimensions and illustrate their reactions by using pieces of software routinely employed in pharmaceutical research and development. These are acquired through hands-on experience in computer labs. Building upon these concepts, fundamental properties, preparation, chemical reactivity, commercial significance, reactions, and characterisation of the main classes of molecules will be explored, with an emphasis on stoichiometry. The module looks at the transformations of key functional groups in organic chemistry, followed by an introduction to equilibrium, acids and bases, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd laws of thermodynamics.A part of the module is devoted to tackle reaction mechanisms, introduce aromaticity and the main chemical reactions of benzene and study applications of organic chemistry.Chemical equilibrium will be unravelled, with an emphasis on dynamic equilibrium, the constants Kc and Kp., basic calculations, extent of reaction, solubility equilibria, pH and the main aspects of thermodynamics. Practical hands-on laboratory activities are planned to enhance your understanding and awareness of the main classes of reaction e.g., acid-base and redox titrations, assays for identifications of functional groups and chemical classes etc.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate an understanding of the main classes of chemicals and of the way of representing their structures and chemical reactions.

LO2: Establish an awareness of the reactivity, preparation and commercial significance of the main classes of chemical.

LO3: Show competence in the exploitation of chemical reactivity of compounds to conduct quantitative analysis and/or identify key functional groups.

LO4: Show understanding of the main aspects of chemical equilibrium and reaction mechanisms of molecules of pharmaceutical interest.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2024/5, 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: Giacomo Russo
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Online Guided independent study 145 Throughout the trimester, you are expected to structure in time to reflect upon 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 activities and resources. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient time to prepare and plan for your assessment tasks.
Face To Face Tutorial 14 Tutorials will be in-person and you will work in groups, typically to gain an understanding of the main aspects that will be explored in the labs such as calculations, reporting, data handling and analysis and good lab practices. Some sessions will be delivered by (guest) lecturers with an industrial background to offer you an applied and contemporary overview of the chemistry scenario.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 21 Computer lab will prepare students to use specialistic software such as ACD/ChemSketch, Avogadro, Microsoft Excel for the development of titration curves, electrostatic potential maps and chemical reactions and reaction mechanisms. Wet labs will cover acid-base and redox titration that are relevant for determining the concentration of solutions by exploiting their inherent reactivity, the third qualitative wet lab will cover assays that are suited for the determination of functional groups.
Face To Face Lecture 20 Lectures will be in-person. The slides used by the instructors will be uploaded on Moodle at least 5 days prior to the lecture taking place and the session will be recorded and made available on Moodle for learning consolidation. Articles or relevant reading materials will be made available on Moodle and will be used as a starting point for discussions in class.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Report 50 1~2 Exam Period , WORDS= 1500 words. This component of assessment will cover chemical reactivity. Particularly, you will be asked to predict the product of one of the synthetic reactions tackled in class or to propose a synthetic route for a compound of a given structure. Additional questions will address recognition of functional group, identification of the chemical reaction and drawing of the reaction mechanism using the specialistic software explored during the computer labs.
Laboratory report 50 3~4 Week 9 , WORDS= 1500 words. This component of assessment will be based on a simulated set of experimental data closely linked to the first two wet labs. You will be asked to generate graphical representations of this data using the specialistic software you will have been trained on, and infer from these important, quantitative information about the chemical equilibrium.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Pharmaceutics: Small Molecules