BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS DEGREE IN MEDICINAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY (HMPC)

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The programme is designed to equip graduates with the skills needed to work in the pharmaceutical industry and allied sectors, research and innovation institutes with modules in drug design, synthesis and development alongside core chemistry. There is emphasis on research that leads to innovation and entrepreneurship as well as further studies.  

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For all entry pathways candidates must have at least five ‘O’ Level subjects/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject at grade C or better.

 

Normal Entry

In order to qualify for normal entry to a Bachelor of Science Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Honours Degree, a prospective student must satisfy the Entry Requirements specified in the General Regulations and the Faculty Regulations. 

In addition the applicant must: Have obtained a pass at ‘A’ Level Chemistry and any one of the following subjects at ‘A’ Level; Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Biology, Food Science. 

 

Special Entry

National Diploma, Higher National Diploma in relevant fields

 

Mature Entry

Five ‘O’ Level passes including Mathematics and English plus at least 25 years of age and 5 years of experience in the relevant field.

 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

After completing the programme graduates are open to the following opportunities:-

• work in pharmaceutical industries as technical business analysts, production managers, product development chemists/managers, quality controllers, quality assurance managers.
• work in public and private research and innovation institutes focusing on drug design and development, identifying candidates for clinical studies, drug action, drug transport, drug delivery, drug testing, and targeting.
• work as academia in government institutions 
• engage in entrepreneurship to develop and manufacture drugs 
• pursue Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical chemistry, Biochemistry and other relevant related areas   

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

N.B.     *Denotes core modules which are not Minimum Body of Knowledge and Skills

             **Denotes core modules which are Minimum Body of Knowledge and Skills

Level 1 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HMPC 131	Analytical Chemistry		12
**HMPC 132	Inorganic Chemistry		12
*HMPC 137	Mathematics for Chemists		12
*HCSCI 131	Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications		12
*CS 131	Basic Communication Skills		12

Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HMPC 133	Organic Chemistry I		12
**HMPC 134	Physical Chemistry I		12
**HMPC 135	Laboratory Techniques		12
**HMPC 136	Chemistry of Natural Products		12
**HMPC 138	Biochemistry		12
**HMPC 139	Introduction to Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry		12

Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HMPC 231	Pharmaceutical Process Design		12
**HMPC 232	Organometallic Compounds and their Applications		12
**HMPC 235	Chemical Research Methods and Statistics		12
**HMPC 236	Principles of Drug Design		12
*TCNP 201	Technopreneurship		12
*GS 231	Introduction to Gender Studies		12

Level 2 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HMPC 233	Organic Chemistry II	**HMPC 133	12
**HMPC 234	Physical Chemistry II	**HMPC 134	12
HMPC 237	Pharmaceutical Formulation Technology		12
HMPC 238	Structure and Spectroscopy		12
**HMPC 239	Cheminformatics		12
**HMPC 240	Quality Management Systems		12

 

Level 3 Semester 1 

Code	Module Description	Credits
**HMPC 332	Work-Related Learning I	40

 

Level 3 Semester 2 

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HMPC 333	Work-Related Learning II	**HMPC 332	80

Level 4 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
*HMPC 431	Chemical Instrumentation	**HMPC 131	12
**HMPC 432	Pharmacology and Toxicology		12
*HMPC 434	Drug Design and Development		12
**HMPC 435	Drug Stability and Metabolism		12
HMPC 436	Advanced Organometallics and Catalysis		12
HMPC 437	Nanotechnology in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug design		12

Level 4 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
*HMPC 433	Organic Chemistry III	**HMPC 233	12
**HMPC 438	Heterocyclic Chemistry and Drug Synthesis		12
HMPC 439	Environmental Management		12
**HMPC 440	Research Project		36

 

SYNOPSES

 

MODULE SYNOPSES

 

HMPC 131 Analytical Chemistry

Ionic Equilibrium; Chemical composition of solutions; Chemical equations and stoichiometry; Elementary treatment of analytical data; Gravimetric Methods: Precipitation from homogeneous solution (PFHS); Volumetric (titrimetric) methods of analysis.

 

HMPC 132 Inorganic Chemistry

Atomic Structure; Electronic structure of atoms; Periodicity of atomic properties; Polyatomic molecules; Transition Metal Chemistry: Introduction to the magnetic properties of transitional metal complexes; Practical Inorganic Chemistry; Qualitative analysis.

 

HMPC 137 Mathematics for Chemists

The course is a survey of mathematical methods mostly for physical chemistry. Calculus: Differentials and Derivatives, Partial Derivatives, Integrals, Algebraic Functions, Transcendal Function; Coordinate Systems- Point in Space, Coordinate Systems for Molecules, Abstract Coordinate; Integration: Change of variables in integrand, Jacobian determinant, Gaussian integrals, Improper Integrals, Line Integrals; Numerical Methods: Interpolation, Numerical Differentiation, Random Numbers; Differential Equations in chemical reaction rates, thermodynamics, chemical reaction mechanism; Linear Algebra: Vector Spaces, Spaces of Functions, Matrices, Eigen Value Equations, Schrödinger’s Equation; Fourier Analysis.

 

CS 131 Basic Communication Skills 

Refer to Communication Skills Department regulations

 

HCSCI 131 Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications

Refer to Computer Science Department regulations

HMPC 133 Organic Chemistry I

Bonding and structure of organic reactions and their mechanisms; Stereochemistry; Projection formulae: Fischer, Sawhorse, Newman, D/L configurations, R/S systems, compounds with more than one chiral centre; Aromatic chemistry; Aromatic substitution reactions; Organic practicals: Techniques in organic chemistry. Qualitative tests for functional groups and synthesis of simple organic compounds.

 

HMPC 13 Physical Chemistry I

Thermodynamics; Work; Heat and energy; First law of thermodynamics; Reversible and irreversible changes; Thermochemistry; Reaction kinetics; Electrochemistry; Thermodynamics of electrochemical cells; Ions in solution. Practical work.

 

HMPC 135 Laboratory Techniques 

Sampling techniques; Separation and purification techniques; Concentration techniques; Stoichiometry; Common laboratory processes; Reporting analytical results; Interpretation of data; Keeping an organized lab notebook; Laboratory safety; Safety symbols; Materials safety data sheets; Handling of chemicals and their disposals; Strategies for procurement of chemicals; Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs).

 

HMPC 136 Chemistry of Natural Products 

Introduction on identification and classification of various natural products. Methods of isolation, separation, purification, and structure determination of the natural products. Chemistry of terpenes, the structure, classification and biosynthesis of the terpenes, building blocks of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenes based on the combination of a given number of isoprene units. Chemistry of alkaloids, general properties of the alkaloids; the structure, classification and biosynthesis of alkaloids. Chemistry of flavonoids, general properties, the structure, biosynthesis and their classifications. Practical on the isolation and identification of common secondary metabolites from plants.

 

HMPC 138 Biochemistry

The module provides thorough knowledge and understanding of the molecules of life – nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids – and their building blocks, including their structure and composition, synthesis and degradation, as well as about energy metabolism in the human body. The course also provides knowledge and understanding of the composition and function of biological membranes, and puts special emphasis on pharmaceutically relevant elements within biochemistry, employing pharmacy-related examples. The module forms the basis for further understanding of the chemistry of pharmaceuticals and other pharmacologically active compounds, their mode of action, and their turnover in the human body. Nucleic acid biochemistry: Replication, transcription, translation, gene regulation. Human intermediary metabolism: Digestion and absorption of nutrients, energy metabolism of cells, including oxidative phosphorylation, metabolism and biosynthesis of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and regulation and pathological changes of these processes, integration and hormonal regulation of the intermediary metabolism, biochemical functions of vitamins, signal substances. The laboratory exercises include enzyme kinetics and analytical methods used in clinical chemistry.

 

HMPC 139 Introduction to Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Introduction to biochemistry: important biological molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, enzymes and lipids) in a human body, medicinal drug metabolism, the search for drugs in plants, drug design and development. Strategies to select the plant material for study; main groups of natural products derived from plants; representative natural products, preparation of extracts and selection of active fractions, screening strategies; separation and purification of active components; benchtop bioassays, chemical assays and structure elucidation. Introduction to drug discovery, delivery, absorption and metabolism. Biomedical analysis, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, analytical techniques and quality assurance.

 

HMPC 231 Pharmaceutical Process Design

The module covers the essential operations used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. The course discusses the pharmaceutical product life-cycle, variability, testing, and specifications of pharmaceutical ingredients. Unit operations including blending, granulation, fluidized bed operations, milling, capsule filling, compaction, tablet coating and other processes will be addressed. Students learn to recognize how the output of one process is the input to the next process, and how deviations can cascade along the production sequence until they cause process failures. The course emphasizes design, scale-up, trouble-shooting, and optimization.

 

HMPC 232 Organometallic Compounds and their Applications 

Ligands and their typical bonding modes in organometallic compounds (structures and bonding); Main group organometallic compounds: general trends and bonding. Main group organometallic compounds: general trends, bonding, structures and reactivity; NMR and ESR for the study of organometallic compounds. Organolithium and organomagnesium and their uses in organic syntheses; Organozinc, organocadmium/organomercury and their uses in syntheses; Organoboron/organoaluminum and their uses in organic synthesis and materials science (non-linear optical materials and fluorescent sensors, co-catalysts for olefin polymerization); Organosilicon/organotin/organolead and their uses in synthesis and materials science. Organometallic compounds application in medicinal chemistry.

 

HMPC 235 Chemical Research Methods and Statistics

Understanding research: research methods and scientific methods; Ethics in research; Planning research proposal; Organizing data with descriptive statistics; Linear and nonlinear models; and Experimental designs. 

 

HMPC 236 Principles of Drug Design

Drug Discovery/Development; Source of Drugs; Structural effects on drug action; Approaches to New Drug Discovery; Drugs Derived from Natural Products; Existing Drugs as a Source for New Drug Discovery; Screening for New Drug Leads; Modern “Rational Approach” to Drug Design; Homologation of alkyl chain(s) or alteration of chain branching, design of aromatic ring position; Enzymes as Targets of Drug Design; Receptors as Targets of Drug Design.

 

TCNP 201 Technopreneurship

Small business model and financial issues: Developing a business model, Basics of small business management, Risks and stages of funding, Sources of funding, Financial funding for growth, product valuation. How to form and register a small business in Zimbabwe. New Product development (NDP): Opportunity recognition and creation, Sources of opportunity, Screening technology opportunities, Designing your product/service: design thinking; process thinking, strategic thinking; The NPD process: idea generation, idea screening, concept testing, market strategy development, business financial analysis, prototyping, test marketing, commercialization. Developing and Protecting Intellectual Property: Concept of intellectual property, Theory behind IP protection, Intellectual Property (IP)-driven vs non-IP driven technopreneurship. Trade secrets, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patent and Trademark protection and its significance, Basics of patenting, legislation governing IP in Zimbabwe. Case studies of successful technopreneurs. Project.

GS231 INTRODUCTION TO GENDER STUDIES 

This module will empower the students with knowledge and skills that enable them to be gender sensitive in the University, workplace and in all their social interaction. Topics covered include: understanding gender, gender analysis, gender issue in Zimbabwe, redressing gender imbalances, empowerment and strategies for creating gender responsive environment. Students gain insight into accounts of gender studies in Science and Technology

HMPC 233 Organic Chemistry II

Introduction to organic spectroscopy; Synthetic Methods and Reaction mechanism; Formation of C-C bonds; Multi-centre reactions e.g. Wittig and Diels Alder reactions;  oxidation reactions; Epoxidation of alkenes and ring opening; Reduction reactions; and Practical in organic chemistry. Practical work.

HMPC 234 Physical Chemistry II

Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Spectroscopy: Dawn of the Quantum Theory; Postulates of Quantum Mechanics; Molecular Spectroscopy; Raman spectra; General and Gas Phase Kinetics; Simple Collision theory of bimolecular reactions; Transition state theory; Unimolecular reactions; Lindermann mechanisms; RRKM Theory; Complex reactions; Unbranched chain reaction; and Explosion reactions. Practical work.

 

HMPC 237 Pharmaceutical Formulation Technology

In this module, students shall gain insight on functions and pathways involved in product development, including the purpose and conduct of clinical trials in Phases I, II, and III. Better understand how decisions during drug development (i.e. dosage forms, batch size, production method, outsourcing) impact product lifecycle viability and success, and why physical and chemical attributes of products have implications in production. Also review the production process and the role of interactions of ingredients/materials employed in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, as well as the impact of processing, storage, and transport environments on ingredients/materials and semi- and finished goods. 

 

HMPC 238 Structure and Spectroscopy

Interpretation of NMR and mass spectra to determine structures of small molecules; use of point groups to describe the symmetry of molecules and how this mathematical understanding of symmetry helps describe molecular orbitals and vibrations; use of infrared and electronic spectroscopy to probe transitions between vibrational and electronic states.

 

HMPC 239 Cheminformatics  

Introduction to principles and techniques used in cheminformatics as well as computational drug design especially in the area of Target Based Drug Design, Exploring protein and ligand databases, representation and manipulation of 2D structures, curation of chemical libraries, descriptor calculation, virtual screening and Machine Learning in drug design and analysis, prediction of ADMET properties, Introduction to tools and software in cheminformatics and drug design.

 

HMPC 240 Quality Management Systems

Basic concepts, Statistical tools in Quality Control, Metrology, Inspection, Reliability and Dependability, New product quality, Quality specifications, Supplier relationship, Manufacture of quality, Customer relations, Quality Audit, Economics of Quality, Quality Data, Improving Quality, Human Factors in Quality, Quality Policy and Objectives, Quality Systems, Organisation of Quality, Quality Consulting, Quality Assurance in Chemical Laboratory, Total Quality Management Systems, Quality Control in Chemical Measurement Systems, Practical Work.

 

HMPC 431 Chemical Instrumentation 

Instrumental Method of analysis, Electrochemical methods, Modified voltammetric methods, Spectroscopic methods, Radiochemical methods, Chromatographic methods. Practical work.

 

HMPC 432 Pharmacology and Toxicology

This module aims to introduce you to the general principles of pharmacological active ingredients and the effect on the major organs. You will develop an understanding of techniques applicable to research in the field of pharmacology. Toxicology studies the body’s response to drugs, foods, and toxic substances. Fundamentals of pharmacology and mechanisms of action are examined for acute and chronic exposure derived from environmental, dietary, occupational and pharmaceutical sources. In this module, the general toxicological principles and overview of toxic substances shall be covered. The module includes basic description how substances are absorbed by, distributed and eliminated from the body. The part contains awareness about toxicokinetic models and the processes of biotransformation.

 

HMPC 434 Drug Discovery and Development

Introduction to drug discovery and target product profiles; High throughput screening methods; Medicinal chemistry; Pharmacology and ADME toxicology; Fragments, peptidomimetics  and structure based drug design; IP considerations; Case studies in drug discovery. 

 

HMPC 435 Drug Stability and Metabolism

This module focuses on stability of medicines, incorporating ageing, oxidation, hydrolysis, degradation mechanisms, and prevention of deterioration.  It also deals with metabolism of drugs by proteins and that includes cytochromes, P450, metabolic pathways, conjugation reactions, enzyme induction and inhibition.

 

HMPC 436 Advanced Organometallics and Catalysis

Advanced organometallic chemistry;  bonding and reactivity of metal carbon σ,π donor/π acceptor ligands; concepts of the 18 electron rule and metal-metal bonding; introduce aspects of transition metal cluster chemistry (especially synthesis, structure, bonding and reactivity);  Introduction the isolobal principle; develop concepts and ideas in metal-metal bonded and metal-carbon (element) multiple bonded systems (for example metal carbenes carbynes, and higher metal cumulenes); describe the role of organometallic species in catalysis for selected examples.

 

HMPC 437 Nanotechnology in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design

This module covers the definition of nanomaterials, classification of nanomaterials, morphologies of nanomaterials, properties of nanomaterials relative to bulk materials, synthetic and fabrication approaches, characterisation of nanomaterials, uses/applications of nanomaterials in medicinal chemistry and drug design. Toxicological aspects of nanomaterials, current and emerging research in nanomaterials. 

 

HMPC 433 Organic Chemistry III

This module covers the chemistry of biomolecules; carbohydrate chemistry, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and vitamins. The section on further aromatic chemistry focuses on aromaticity and criteria for aromaticity, case studies of selected aromatic systems, systematic chemistry of naphthalene, phenanthrene and anthracene as well as illustrated syntheses of these compounds.

 

HMPC 438 Heterocyclic Chemistry and Drug Synthesis

Structural features and reactivity of heterocyclic compounds, including stereochemistry; major synthetic pathways in heterocyclic chemistry, involving carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation, functional group interconversions and ring substitution; importance of heterocycles as key components in major drug classes and combinatorial libraries; examples of modern synthetic methodology and the importance of three-dimensional structure in Organic Chemistry. Practical on synthesis of common heterocyclic drugs.

 

HMPC 439 Environmental Management

Types of industrial wastes; solids and liquids, nuclear waste; Causes and effects of water, land and air pollution; Legislation on pollution; Industries responsibilities; Wastewater treatment; Air pollution control technologies; Incineration of industrial wastes; Responsible use of landfills; Recycling; Sampling analysis and management of industrial effluent; Fate and transport of contaminants of emerging concern in air, water, solid waste, and soils; Investigate the fate, transport, and remediation of potentially harmful contaminants and their by-products; Emerging contaminants; and International agreements (Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement).

 

HMPC 440 Research Project

Students carry out research projects on a topic of their choice concerning pertinent

issues in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry under the guidance of their supervisors.