MSC MED IC INA L
N ATURA L PR OD U C TS A N D
PH YTOC H EMISTRY
Programme Handbook
2015/2016
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this Handbook is correct
at the time of going to press (September 2015). UCL reserves the right to make
amendments to the information contained in this Handbook as a result of unforeseen
events or circumstances beyond UCL's control or if deemed reasonably necessary by
UCL.
This handbook is deemed to be the definitive version of information for all students on
this taught programme of study.
In the event that amendments are made, UCL shall take reasonable steps to notify
students as soon as possible.
11/09/2015. Version 1
1
Table of Contents
1.
General Information................................................................................................... 5
PROGRAMME HANDBOOK ........................................................................................................ 5
1.2 PROGRAMME STAFF ........................................................................................................ 6
Programme Team ............................................................................................................................ 6
Programme Director ........................................................................................................................ 6
Deputy Programme Director ........................................................................................................... 6
Academic Staff ................................................................................................................................. 6
1.3 PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION ..................................................................................... 7
2.
Programme Information ............................................................................................. 9
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3.
PROGRAMME DETAILS..................................................................................................... 9
THE MSc MEDICINAL NATURAL PRODUCTS AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY PROGRAMME ...........10
MASTER’S LEVEL DESCRIPTORS .......................................................................................10
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE ..............................................................................................11
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS .............................................................................13
CAREER RELEVANCE AND EMPLOYABILITY .......................................................................13
Modules....................................................................................................................15
3.1 MODULE CHOICE ............................................................................................................15
3.2 MODULE OUTLINES ........................................................................................................15
PHAYG019 MEDICINAL NATURAL PRODUCTS .......................................................................... 16
PHAYG024 ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES IN PHYTOCHEMISTRY ................................................... 18
PHAYG026 NATURAL PRODUCT DISCOVERY ............................................................................ 20
PHAYG035 BIODIVERSITY AND MEDICINES .............................................................................. 22
4.
Research Project .......................................................................................................24
4.1
5.
OVERVIEW .....................................................................................................................24
Assessment and Regulations ....................................................................................25
5.1 PROGRAMME REGULATIONS ..........................................................................................25
Coursework.................................................................................................................................... 25
Examinations ................................................................................................................................. 25
Resits ................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Final Degree Mark ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Merit .................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Distinction.......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2 ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................26
PHAYG019 MEDICINAL NATURAL PRODUCTS .......................................................................... 26
PHAYG024 ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES IN PHYTOCHEMISTRY ................................................... 27
PHAYG026 NATURAL PRODUCT DISCOVERY ............................................................................ 27
PHAYG035 BIODIVERSITY AND MEDICINES .............................................................................. 27
5.3 SCHEME OF AWARD .......................................................................................................29
PHAYG019
Medicinal Natural Products (30 credits)................................................................ 29
PHAYG024
Analytical Techniques in Phytochemistry (30 credits) .......................................... 29
PHAYG026
Natural Product Discovery (30 credits) ................................................................. 29
PHAYG035
Biodiversity and Medicines (30 credits) ................................................................ 29
2
PHAYGX96 Dissertation (60 credits) ......................................................................................... 30
Exit Awards .................................................................................................................................... 30
3
Welcome from the Programme Team
Welcome to UCL School of Pharmacy and congratulations on gaining a place to study here
on the MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry (formerly MSc in
Pharmacognosy).
Pharmacognosy in the UCL School of Pharmacy has a prestigious and continuous tradition
dating back to 1843, when Prof Pereira FRS started his teaching on Materia medica. He was
followed by many more pharmacognosists who exerted a great influence in the discipline,
including Prof Wallis, Prof Fairbairn, Prof Phillipson, and Prof Evans.
Prof Heinrich, Prof Gibbons, Dr Prieto-Garcia, Dr Min Yang and Dr Stapleton form the core
academic staff contributing to its design, coordination and delivery. This also benefits from
the input of worldwide recognised experts including Prof Simmons (Director of Jodrell
Laboratories at Kew Gardens) and Prof Houghton (Emeritus Prof at King’s College) among
many others.
The programme aims to deliver a modern, broad vision of herbal medicines and natural
products with therapeutic uses by using a blended and dynamic learning approach. Our
limited places ensure that our candidates enjoy continuous and close tuition. Full time, 4months research projects guarantee the acquisition of the necessary scientific skills to further
your education in a PhD programme or to work in the industry.
Completing an MSc in 12 months is a challenge, particularly for international students who
are studying in a foreign language. Moving to a new country, leaving behind family and
friends can be overwhelming. Good time management and practising and improving your
English will help you cope with the demands of the programme, as will forming friendships
with your fellow students. The relationships you build over the next year, especially those
with the School itself, will last a lifetime and we are sure that you will always look back on
your time with us with fond memories.
Do read this handbook carefully and keep it for reference throughout the year. Your tutors at
the School are here to mentor and to support you, so if you have any problems or queries do
come and talk to one of us.
We wish you good luck with your studies and look forward to getting to know you over the
coming year.
Dr Jose M. Prieto-Garcia
Dr Min Yang
Programme Director
Deputy Programme Director
4
1. General Information
PROGRAMME HANDBOOK
This Programme Handbook provides an introduction to the programme and contains the key
information you need about the programme of study. Amongst other things, this handbook
covers the curriculum, teaching and learning, administrative procedures, key personnel and
assessment.
This handbook should be read in conjunction with the School Student Handbook which
provides information about School staff, academic regulations and policies and administrative
procedures.
The Handbook is relevant to you throughout your studies. There will inevitably be some
changes during your time with us, possibly in relation to the teaching staff, programme
content and assessment patterns and we shall keep you informed of any important changes.
However, you should make sure that you keep up to date by reading our communications,
checking the notice boards, reading your emails and browsing Moodle and the School and
UCL Websites.
More detailed information on UCL procedures and policies in relation to students can be
found on the UCL website at the following link: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students. You
can also find important on the School website here: www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy/currentstudents. Students are expected to be fully aware of procedures but, if in any doubt, please
enquire at the Student and Academic Support Office (known as the School Office – SASO).
We hope you find this handbook useful. It is revised every year to include new information
and to make it easier to use. If you have any comments about the handbook or suggestions
for improving the information provided, please forward your comments to the School Office
(SASO) (email sop.saso@ucl.ac.uk).
5
1.2
PROGRAMME STAFF
Programme Team
Most academic members of the Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry staff contribute to
the MSc in Pharmacognosy.
Programme Director
Dr Jose Prieto-Garcia
Room:
201d
Tel:
020 7753 5841
Email:
j.prieto@ucl.ac.uk
Deputy Programme Director
Dr Min Yang
Room: 439a
Tel:
020 7753 5913
Email: m.yang@ucl.ac.uk
Academic Staff
Name
Role
Dr Jose M. Prieto-Garcia
Programme Director, Lecturer in Pharmacognosy
Prof Simon Gibbons
Professor of Medicinal Phytochemistry and Head of Department,
Deputy Programme Director
Prof Michael Heinrich
Head of Centre for Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy
Prof Peter Houghton
Emeritus Professor of Pharmacognosy, King’s College London
Dr Paul Stapleton
RCUK Fellow
Prof Monique Simmonds
Head of Biological Interactions Group, Royal Botanic Gardens
Kew
Prof Klara Valko
Senior Investigator, GlaxoSmithKline
Dr Mike Munday
Academic Director of Studies and Senior Lecturer
Dr Werner Knöss
Head of Department, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical
Devices, Germany
6
Name
Role
Dr Linda Anderson
Principal Pharmacist, Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory
Authority (MHRA)
Dr Colin Wright
Reader in Pharmacognosy, Bradford University
Dr Min Yang
Lecturer in Pharmaceutical & Biological Chemistry
Dr Gary Parkinson
Lecturer in Structural Chemistry
Dr Rosemary Smyth
Teaching and Research Assistant
Dr. Denzil Philips
CEO Denzil Philips International
Dr Ivo Pischel
Visiting Senior Lecturer
Dr Rocio Alarcon
Manager of the Lamoe centre, Ecuadorian Amazon.
Dr Sarah Edwards
Research Fellow
Dr Geoff Wells
Lecturer in Medicinal Chemistry
Dr Rajindra Puri
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Anthropology,
Director of Learning and Teaching; Director of the CBCD,
University of Kent
1.3
PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION
The School Office (SASO) is the main administrative hub for your programme of study and is
located in Room G11, Brunswick Square.
Opening Hours and Contact Information
Hours:
09.00 to 17.00 (Monday-Friday)
Location:
Room G11, Brunswick Square
Tel/Fax:
+44 (0) 20 7753 5831
Fax:
+44 (0) 20 7753 5829
E-mail:
sop.pharmacy@ucl.ac.uk
You may also need to visit the UCL Student Centre on some occasions and further
information can be found here: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/student-centre
7
Postgraduate Programmes Manager
Dr. Smyth provides general support on academic and welfare matters for students on the fulltime postgraduate programmes at the School (MSc and MRes).
Dr Rosemary Smyth
Room:
432
Tel:
020 7753 5950
Email:
r.smyth@ucl.ac.uk
END OF SECTION 1
8
2. Programme Information
2.1
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Award:
MSc Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry
Awarded by:
University College London
Department:
Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry
Length and Mode:
1 year full-time
Credits:
180 credits at Level 7
ECTS:
72 ECTS
Programme Director:
Dr Jose M. Prieto-Garcia
Deputy Programme Director:
Dr Min Yang
Teaching site
UCL School of Pharmacy
29/39 Brunswick Square
London WC1N 1AX
UK
Tel:
020 7753 5800
Fax:
020 7753 5829
9
2.2
THE MSC MEDICINAL NATURAL PRODUCTS AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY
PROGRAMME
The MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry is a 12 month full-time taught
postgraduate programme intended for those who wish to prepare for PhD-level research in
natural product science or to pursue a career in the phytopharmaceutical industry or a
government regulatory body.
The programme is designed for students wishing to pursue a natural sciences oriented
career in research and development in the herbal, phytopharmaceutical or (health) food
sector as well as in drug discovery. Other opportunities exist in the context of regulatory
requirements and the media/consumer support.
2.3
MASTER’S LEVEL DESCRIPTORS
Master’s level awards are set at Level 7 of the Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) published by the Quality
Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). Descriptors for the Level 7 qualification are
in two parts – (1) what each student must demonstrate in order to gain the award, and (2) the
wider abilities that the typical student is expected to develop.
The MSc degree is awarded to students who have demonstrated:
1. Systematic understanding of knowledge and skills required in the application of
pharmaceutical care.
2. Critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in pharmacy practice.
3. Comprehensive understanding of techniques applied to advanced scholarship in
pharmaceutics, which include problem solving skills, evaluation, research methods
and data analysis.
4. Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of
how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret
knowledge in pharmaceutics.
5. Conceptual understanding that enables the student to:
 Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline,
and

Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where
appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
10
Typically, holders of the MSc degree will be able to:
1. Deal with complex issues both systemically and creatively, make sound judgments in
the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist
and non-specialist audiences;
2. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act
autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent
level;
3. Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding through continuing
professional development, and
4. Develop new skills to an advanced level in pharmaceutics.
and will have:
5. The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
 The
exercise
of
initiative
and
personal
responsibility;
decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations, and

2.4
The independent learning ability required for continuing professional
development.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The MSc programme comprises two main components: (1) four full time taught modules (30
credits each) and (2) a full time, 4 months research project (60 credits worth). The taught
modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and written examination.
Students take two modules in the first term and a further two modules in the second term,
followed by a substantial research project in the final term.
The first term will cover in depth the basis for the medicinal use of natural products (Module 1
PHAYG019 Medicinal Natural Products) and the analytical methods for their quality control
(Module 2: PHAYG024 Analytical Techniques in Phytochemistry).
The second term will cover the Pharmacognosy discipline in further depth with lectures on
how to interpret, design and apply analytical and bioassay methods for the bioguided
isolation natural products (Module 3: PHAYG026 Natural Product Discovery) how to
interpret, design and apply ethnopharmaceutical studies of plants and the philosophy behind
their uses in traditional systems of medicines and their place in the developing global
phytopharmaceutical industry Module 4: PHAYG035 Biodiversity and Medicines). The last
term is dedicated full time to the research dissertation (PHAYGX96).
11
MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry
First term
Second term
(Oct-Dec)
(Jan-Apr)
Medicinal
Natural
Products
Analytical
Techniques in
Phytochemistry
PHAYG019
PHAYG024
30 credits
30 credits
Natural Product
Discovery
Biodiversity and
Medicines
PHAYG026
PHAYG035
30 credits
30 credits
12
Third term
(May-Aug)
Research
Project &
Dissertation
PHAYGX96
60 credits
2.5
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
Teaching is via Lectures (theoretical & practical), participation at workshops, seminars and
forums, and visits to external companies.
Self-directed learning is allocated as many hours as contact hours with the staff. It is
supported by our (1) virtual learning system which provides with all teaching materials in
electronic form (2) library services providing an extensive range of textbooks and access to
electronic journals together with guidance on how to use scientific software. The course is
assessed by marked assignments (essays, videos, and multimedia presentations), research
projects, dissertations and past exam papers. You receive feedback on all your assessed
work, with particular emphasis being given to the development of skills through the period of
each module.
Some lectures and seminars in the first term are shared with the MSc in Drug Discovery and
fourth year students on the Master of Pharmacy degree. This is because the material is
highly relevant and pertinent to the course.
The teaching in the second term will be more specialised and there will be a heavy input by
World recognised experts in Natural Products from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, King’s
College London and the Universities of Bradford and Reading.
2.6
CAREER RELEVANCE AND EMPLOYABILITY
Completing this degree course will equip you with a set of key transferable skills which will be
relevant for the workplace as well as providing you with a base of postgraduate level science
knowledge and understanding. You will learn to critically evaluate current research and
advanced scholarship within Pharmacognosy, as well as evaluating research methodologies.
You will learn to deal with complex issues and make sound judgments and decisions in
complex and unpredictable situations.
You will learn to communicate information and conclusions to specialist scientific audiences,
work effectively as part of a team, and demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling
and solving problems and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a
professional level.
13
The nature of this qualification will develop your independent learning skills, such as critical
reading, as well as enhancing your ICT skills for both literature searching and managing
information and strengthening your communication skills with others in both professional and
academic contexts.
Having this qualification coupled with practical experience could open up career opportunities
in various scientific and medical research fields in the public and private sectors, for example,
in the pharmaceutical companies, medical research, universities, commercial laboratories
and independent healthcare providers.
END OF SECTION 2
14
3. Modules
3.1
MODULE CHOICE
All of the modules for the MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry are
compulsory so students are not required to choose modules.
Term 1 – 2 core modules
PHAYG019
Medicinal Natural Products
30 credits
PHAYG024
Analytical Techniques in Phytochemistry
30 credits
Term 2 – 2 core modules
PHAYG026
Natural Product Discovery
30 credits
PHAYG035
Biodiversity and Medicines
30 credits
Term 2 & 3 – core research module:
PHAYGX96
Dissertation - MSc Medicinal Natural Products
and Phytochemistry
3.2
60 credits
MODULE OUTLINES
You will receive more detailed Module outlines at the start of the module and the content may
be slightly different to the information published here. This is because staff are constantly
updating their teaching in light of developments in current research and new thinking.
15
First Term
PHAYG019
MEDICINAL NATURAL PRODUCTS
Module Leader(s): Dr Jose Prieto-Garcia and Prof Michael Heinrich
Learning Outcomes
The student will gain a critical knowledge of the theoretical background and current
application of the main Analytical Techniques used in Modern Phytochemistry for the study of
crude drugs and extracts
Topics
1. Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (THMPs)
a. Background of the European Directive
b. Quality, Safety, Efficacy
c. Current Role in the healthcare system
2. Homeopathic products
a. Regulation
b. Quality, Safety, Efficacy
c. Current Role in the healthcare system
3. Food Supplements and Nutraceuticals
a. Regulation
b. Quality, Safety, Efficacy
c. Their role in health
4. The use of medicinal natural products by different cultures
a. An introduction to Ethnopharmacology
b. Traditional Chinese Medicine
c. Ayurveda
d. Western Phytotherapy
e. The role of CAM in modern healthcare systems
5. Clinical and Recreational Use of Natural Products
a. Medicinal Natural Products from microorganisms
b. Anticancer Natural Products from Plants
c. Natural drugs of abuse and ‘legal highs’
16
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Lectures
Theoretical Lectures will take place in a lecture theatre. Invited speakers of Worldwide
recognised prestige such as Prof Monique Simmons (Kew Gardens), Prof Werner Knoess
(European Medicines Agency) and Dr Linda Anderson (MHRA-British medicines agency)
among others will join the teaching staff.
Multimedia-Forum
Discussion of some topics take place after watching carefully selected films and videos.
Self Directed Learning
A case study of the use of medicinal natural products by patients will be allocated to groups
of students. You will present your results in public at the end of the module.
17
PHAYG024
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES IN PHYTOCHEMISTRY
Module Leader(s): Dr Jose Garcia-Prieto
Learning Outcomes
The student will gain a critical knowledge of the theoretical background and current
application of the main Analytical Techniques used in Modern Phytochemistry for the study of
crude drugs and extracts, including:
1. Pharmacopoeial Methods
a. Macroscopy
b. Microscopy
c. Ashes, Water content, Insoluble matter
2. Extraction procedures
a. Liquid extraction from solid plant materials
b. Liquid-Liquid extraction (partition)
c. Steam distillation
3. Colorimetric Analysis
a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
4. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
a. Classic TLC
b. High Performance TLC
5. Instrumental Chromatography
a. High Performance Liquid Chromatography
b. Gas Chromatography
6. Mass Spectrometry
a. Small molecules
b. Macromolecules
7. Electrophoresis
8. X-Ray diffraction
9. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
10. Descriptive Phytochemistry
a. Phenolic substances
b. Alkaloids
c. Terpenes
d. Microbial secondary metabolites
18
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Lectures
Theoretical Lectures will take place in a big lecture theater together with MSc Drug Discovery
students (MADD module).
Practical lectures
About 50% of this module takes place in our new brand teaching laboratories. You will
receive a Laboratory notebook where to record your experiments.
Workshops
They will take place usually in small seminar rooms and are attended only by MSc in MNP&P
students
Self Directed Learning
A number of student-lead seminars will cover Descriptive Phytochemistry, namely the
description and structure of the main Natural Products classes.
19
Second Term
PHAYG026
NATURAL PRODUCT DISCOVERY
Module Leader(s): Dr Jose Garcia-Prieto and Dr Paul Stapleton
Learning Outcomes
The student will gain a critical knowledge of the theoretical background and current
application of the main Chemical and Biological Techniques used to discover new drugs from
natural products.
Topics
1. Methods in Natural Product Drug Discovery
a. Extraction, separation methods (isolation) and structure elucidation
b. Chemical diversity and its importance
c. Industrial approach to natural drug discovery
d. Assay (target) selection, project teams, dereplication
e. Natural product libraries and other approaches
f. Case studies – examples of drugs from natural sources
2. Elucidation of Natural Products
a. Mono- and bi-dimensional NMR techniques
3. Semi synthesis of natural products
4. Fundamentals on the design of biological assays
a. The Scientific method
b. Design of Experimental Protocols
c. Basic statistical concepts
d. In vitro vs. In vivo assays
5. Major drivers for natural products research
a. Antioxidants
i.
Generalities: radical scavenging and lipoperoxidation
ii.
Practical: the DPPH assay
b. Cytotoxicity
i.
Generalities: Apoptosis and necrosis
ii.
Practical: Cell culture techniques
c. Neurodegeneration
i.
Generalities: Alzheimer and Parkinson disease
ii.
Practical: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
d. Antibiotics
i.
Generalities: antimicrobials
ii.
Practical: MICs
20
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Lectures
Theoretical Lectures will take place in a small lecture theatre together with MRes students.
Practical lectures
They will give you hands on experience in a range of bioassays and takes place in our new
brand teaching laboratories. You will receive a Laboratory notebook where to record your
experiments.
Workshops
They will take place usually in small seminar rooms and are attended only by MSc in MNP&P
and MRes students
Self directed learning
A number of scientific papers seminars covering aspects of this module will be critically
reviewed.
21
PHAYG035
BIODIVERSITY AND MEDICINES
Module Leader(s): Dr Jose Garcia-Prieto and Prof Michael Heinrich
Learning Outcomes
The student will gain a critical knowledge of the theoretical background and current
application of the main Chemical and Biological Techniques used to discover new drugs from
natural products.
Topics
1. Biodiversity, Conservation and Ethnopharmacology: The Fundamental Challenges
2.
a.
Generalities some theoretical considerations
b.
Drugs from Natural sources – Extracts as ‘actives’
c.
Travelling people – migration and the changing needs in ethnopharmacology
d.
Value chains – new research needs in medicinal plant research
e.
Risk of herbal medicines in a changing environment
f.
How to communicate in ethnopharmacology: writing a scientific paper
Qualitative and quantitative methods in Ethnopharmacology
3. New Medicines-based Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous and Intelectual Property
Rights from an Ethnopharmacological perspective
a.
Generalities
b.
The Convention on Biodiversity (CBD)
4. Ethnobiology
a.
Generalities
b.
Visits and activities in Allotments and Gardens
5. Exploitation and Protection of the Biodiversity
a. The CBD
b. Regulation of borderline medicinal products
6. Botanical Gardens: repositories of the biodiversity
7. A walk through the Rainforest
a. Tropical Plants as a source of medicines: The case Curare and Atracurium
b. Conservation and ethnobotany in the Amazon: The case of Yasuni Park
c. Tropical Fungi as a source of medicines: Visit to Hypha Discovery
22
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Super Learning days
Each topic is developed in Thematic days including two-super learning days with students at
the University of Kent, one super learning day at Kew Gardens, one super learning day on
the rainforest at the school of pharmacy.
Self-directed learning


An ethnopharmacological paper will be critically reviewed.
A monograph for a medicinal plant will be written.
Visits





Urban ethnobiology (Allotments in Canterbury)
Monographies in The Mecklenburg garden
Visit plus lecture in the Chelsea Physic garden
Visit plus lecture in the Royal Botanical gardens at Kew
Visit plus lecture at Hypha Discovery, a natural products drug discovery company.
END OF SECTION 3
23
4. Research Project
4.1
OVERVIEW
PHAYGX96 Dissertation – MSc Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry
Module Leader(s): Dr Jose Garcia-Prieto and Prof Simon Gibbons
A major component of the MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry course is
the research project. Projects will be assigned in December and will be supervised by an
academic member of staff from the School who has a research interest in natural product
science. This will cover a number of diverse topics ranging from isolation of bioactive
products, natural product synthesis, analysis of natural products and herbal medicinal
product use in the community.
The projects will be undertaken in the laboratory of a member of staff between May and
August inclusive. Students are expected to develop their own research ideas and
experimental series in discussion with their supervisor and complete a comprehensive
literature review to supplement their work. Results will be written up and submitted as a
dissertation and presented in an oral presentation at the end of the year in the first week of
September.
END OF SECTION 4
24
5. Assessment and Regulations
5.1
PROGRAMME REGULATIONS
The full Programme Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Programmes can be found on the
UCL website at the link below. Students must also read the information contained in
the School Student Handbook. We have included a brief summary of the main regulations
in this handbook; however students must read the regulations in full.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ras/acd_regs
Coursework
Students must complete a number of formative and summative assignments. Formative
assignments give feedback to students on their performance but do not count towards final
marks (however, it may still be a requirement to complete these). Marks for summative
assignments do count towards the final mark for each module. The minimum pass mark is
50%.
Examinations
Students will normally take written examinations for term 1 modules in January and written
examinations for term 2 modules in April-June. Resit examinations are normally held in the
last week of August or the first week of September and will be of the same format and
duration as term 1 and 2 examinations. The minimum pass mark for examinations is 50%.
Overall module marks
Your overall mark for each module will be made up of your coursework and exam marks.
Most modules are assessed by 33% coursework and 67% examination.
Aggregation
To pass a module you must obtain overall at least 50%, including a coursework mark of
50% at minimum. If you achieve between 40% and 50% in your exam and your overall
module mark calculates at over 50% then you are permitted to pass the module.
Resits
The regulations permit students a first opportunity at an assessment and one resit
opportunity only (at the discretion of the Board of Examiners). No further opportunities are
permitted. The higher of the marks achieved at the first attempt and the re-sit attempt will
apply. Students cannot resit modules which they have passed.
25
Condoning
Please refer to the Post Graduate Taught Academic Regulations, Section 3 (3.2.4)
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/srs/academic-regulations
Final Degree Mark
The overall pass mark for the award of the MSc is 50%. The final degree mark is calculated
on the average module marks weighted according to the number of credits they carry. The
Master’s degree is worth 180 credits in total so a 30 credit module would contribute 30/180
to the final mark.
Criteria for the Award of Pass, Merit and Distinction
Please refer to the Post Graduate Taught Academic Regulations, Section 2 (2.10.6)
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/srs/academic-regulations
5.2
ASSESSMENT
First term
PHAYG019
MEDICINAL NATURAL PRODUCTS
Formative assessment
A series of MCQs will challenge your understanding of the lectures received. This will not
contribute to the final mark of the module but you need to pass with 80%.
Student presentations of a Case-Study
Your performance and self-directed study related with descriptive phytochemistry will be
assessed by means of your presentation of a class of secondary metabolites.
Student presentations of a poster
Your performance and self-directed study related with the potential and limitations of
promising medicinal natural products will be assessed by means of your presentation of a
topic of your choice in the form of poster.
Unseen Paper
Your performance in an unseen paper covering ALL materials imparted in the lectures
during the module.
26
PHAYG024
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES IN PHYTOCHEMISTRY
Formative assessment
A series of MCQs will help you understanding of the practicals and lectures received. You
can take the MCQs as many times as you need until scoring over 80%. This will not
contribute to the final mark of the module though.
Laboratory Notebook
Your performance and self-directed study related with practical lectures will be assessed by
means of your laboratory notebook.
Student-Lead Seminars
Your performance and self-directed study related with descriptive phytochemistry will be
assessed by means of your presentation of a class of secondary metabolites
Unseen Paper
Your performance in an unseen paper covering ALL materials imparted or self-studied
during the module.
PHAYG026
NATURAL PRODUCT DISCOVERY
Formative assessment
A series of workshops will guide you on how to apply different analytical techniques to the
isolation and structural elucidation of small natural drugs.
Laboratory Notebook
Your performance and self-directed study related with practical lectures will be assessed by
means of your laboratory notebook.
Coursework
Your performance at the critical review of carefully selected scientific papers will be
assessed.
Unseen Paper
Your performance in an unseen paper covering ALL materials imparted or self-studied
during the module.
PHAYG035
BIODIVERSITY AND MEDICINES
Formative assessment
A series of workshops and outdoor activities will guide you on how to apply different
ethnobotanical methods.
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Coursework
Your performance at the critical review of a scientific papers and the writing of a monograph
will be assessed.
Unseen Paper
Your performance in an unseen paper covering ALL materials imparted or self-studied
during the module.
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5.3
SCHEME OF AWARD
The Scheme of Award sets out the individual assessment components and their relative
weighting. Students will be subject to the scheme of award in effect at the time they start the
programme. The MSc is worth 180 credits. It is comprised of 120 credits of taught modules
and a 60 credit dissertation.
The MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry comprises the following
weighted assessment components:
PHAYG019
Medicinal Natural Products (30 credits)
Assessment Component
Weighting
Coursework
33%
Unseen 3 hour written examination
67%
PHAYG024
Analytical Techniques in Phytochemistry (30 credits)
Assessment Component
Weighting
Coursework
33%
Unseen 3 hour written examination
67%
PHAYG026
Natural Product Discovery (30 credits)
Assessment Component
Weighting
Coursework
33%
Unseen 2 hour written examination
67%
PHAYG035
Biodiversity and Medicines (30 credits)
Assessment Component
Weighting
Coursework
33%
Unseen 2 hour written examination
67%
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PHAYGX96
Dissertation (60 credits)
Assessment Component
Weighting
Presentation
10%
Dissertation
90%
Exit Awards
Credits
Award name:
MSc
180
MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and
Phytochemistry
Postgraduate
Diploma
120
PG Dip Medicinal Natural Products and
Phytochemistry
Postgraduate
Certificate
60
PG Cert Medicinal Natural Products and
Phytochemistry
END OF SECTION 5
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Appendix 1: Calendar
The MSc is a full-time, twelve-month programme. Students should not plan any
activities to interfere with the 9:00am – 5:00pm schedule, Monday – Friday for the
entirety of the programme.
Event
Date
Induction Week
28 September 2015
Term 1 Starts
28 September 2015
Classes start
05/10/2015
Term Ends
18 December 2015
Term 2 Starts
11 January 2016
Examination Period
11 – 15 January 2016
Term 2 Ends
24 March 2016
Term 3 Starts
25 April 2016
Examination Period
April - June 2016
Research Project Starts
The day after your last exam paper
Term 3 Ends
31 August 2016
Deadline for Project Submission
2 September 2016
Resit Examination Period
Late August/Early September 2016
Important Notes
1. UCL School of Pharmacy reserves the right to change these dates if necessary. The
School will inform students of any changes.
2. Students must ensure that they are available to attend all classes throughout the terms.
3. Students on full-time Taught Master’s programmes study for a full calendar year.
Therefore students are expected to study beyond the end of the third term to prepare
their dissertation in time for submission in September.
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