PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Programme Specification – Taught Postgraduate

Programme title: / MSc Drug Design
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document) / MSc
Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards) / From 2010entry
Awarding institution/body: / UniversityCollegeLondon
Teaching institution: / UCL Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research
Faculty: / Biomedical Sciences
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme) / UCL Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research

Departmental web page address:

(if applicable) /
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other / Full-time (1 year)
Criteria for admission to the programme: /
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry) / One calendar year full-time.
Level on Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes) / M
Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS)
(see Guidance notes) / N/A
Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:
(see guidance notes) / Eight modules of 15 credits each. Each module will consist of a unseen written exam(50%) and coursework (50%).
A research project (60 credits, 3 months) will be assessed by written dissertation (10,000-12,000 words, 75%) and oral presentation (25%).
Board of Examiners: / Name of Board of Examiners:
Board of Examiners in MSc Drug Design
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
/ N/A / Date of next scheduled accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The post genomics era has brought a basic change in traditional drug discovery. The degree programme is designed to reflect the rapid changes that have taken place in this subject in the last few years. Students will investigate the approaches and methods of modern drug design, particularly how to manage the diversity and wealth of the emerging knowledge in this area.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A knowledge and understanding of:
  • All aspects of drug design: genomics, bioinformatics, drug target selection, structural biology, molecular modelling, intellectual property and marketing.
  • Research methods and techniques used in different aspects of drug design.
  • Industrial practices of modern drug design technologies.
1. Bioinformatics and structural biology.
2. Target identification and high throughput screening.
3. Cheminformatics and computer drug design.
4. Biological molecules as therapeutics – antibodies, siRNA, and stem cells.
5. Biophysical screening methods, protein NMR and phenotypic screening.
6. Fragment based drug design (FBDD).
7. Target selection – scientific grounds.
8. Target selection – commercial and intellectual property property. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies
Lectures and cutting-edge lectures (given by industrial and academic experts); tutorials and journal clubs; self-directed studies; research projects.
Visits to relevant research institutions in England, eg. Visit to the Diamond Synchrotron.
Students will be required to attend all classes and study extensively on their own.
/ Assessment:
Four written examinations, practical and course work (short essays; computational program; literature review and presentation); research project, dissertation and oral presentation.

B: Skills and other attributes

Intellectual (thinking) skills - able to:
  • Be able to critically read and evaluate scientific literature.
  • Be able to think critically about information and evidence presented and how it fits into the larger conceptual framework.
  • Be able to conceptually design a research project.
/ Teaching/learning methods and strategies
Lectures; seminars; tutorials and problem classes; critical journal clubs; research project.
All the taught component will introduce information that will need to be interpreted and critically evaluated. The research project will generate new data.
/ Assessment:
Examination, course work, dissertation, oral presentation.

C: Skills and other attributes

Practical skills - able to:
  • Use various scientific databases.
  • Use various cheminformatic, bioinformatic, and modelling software, most of them industrial standard or renowned academic.
  • Keep a laboratory notebook/records.
  • Write a scientific dissertation.
/ Teaching/learning methods and strategies
Lectures; seminars; tutorials and problem classes; critical journal clubs; research project.
/ Assessment:
Examination, course work, dissertation, oral presentation.

D: Skills and other attributes

Transferable skills - able to:
  • Basic computer competency.
  • Proficiency in various types of computer software (e.g. word processing, citation based, spreadsheet, graphical presentations).
  • Discussion and oral presentation skills.
/ Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Tutorials, coursework, and practicals.
/ Assessment:
Tutorials, course work, dissertation, oral presentation.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
  • the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (
  • the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (
  • the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
  • UCL teaching and learning policies;
  • staff research.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s) Name(s):
/ Dr Edith Chan Prof David Selwood
Date of Production: / 6thJanuary 2010
Date of Review: / May 2014
Date approved by Head of Department: / 7th January 2010
Date approved by Chair of Departmental Teaching Committee: / 7th January 2010
Date approved by Faculty Teaching Committee: / 22th March 2010