PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MRes Drug Design
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MRes
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2014/15 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research
Faculty:
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Parent Department:
Division of Medicine
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/wibr/teaching/mres
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
Upper second class BSc honours degree or overseas equivalent, in a
relevant subject, or an appropriate professional qualification or work
experience.
IELTS standard level
1 year
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Level 7
N/A
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
The program will have 3 required taught modules (3x15 credits)
from MSc Drug Design (below), 2 modules of taught
transferrable skills from CALT (2x15 credits), and a research
project module that last 6-7 months (105 credits). The total will
be 180 credits.
The 8 taught modules are:
1. Bioinformatics and structural biology as applied to drug
design
2. The biology of drug discovery programmes: introduction
3. Cheminformatics and modelling for drug design
4. Biological molecules as therapeutics
5. The biology of drug discovery programmes: latest
advances
6. Fragment based drug design (FBDD)
7. Target selection based on scientific grounds
8. Target selection – commercial and intellectual property
aspects
Each of these modules is worth 15 credits and will be assessed
by coursework (50%) and two final examinations (50%).
The CALT modules are “Investigating Research” and
“Researcher Professional development”.
The research project module is worth 105 credits. A 15,00020,000 word dissertation (75%) and oral presentation (25%) will
be used to assess the research-based project.
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:
Our current taught program MSc Drug Design delivers an in depth view of modern drug design. The MRes
provides a research focused route for students.
Our aims are as follows:

Enable students to learn and conduct insightful and independent research

Enable students to develop the capability for qualitative and quantitative research
methodologies

Acquire transferable skills, such as technical writing, presentation.

Acquire knowledge of drug design through taught modules.
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
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.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Lectures and cutting-edge lectures (given by industrial
and academic experts); tutorials and journal clubs; selfdirected studies; research projects.
Students will be required to attend selected classes (3
modules) and study extensively on their own.
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.
Assessment:
One written examination, 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:
 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.
 Be able to critically inspect proteins
structures and small molecules and
their suitability for the drug design
process.
 Be able to assess a drug target.
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
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Practical 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.
 Lab work
Tutorials, coursework, practicals, and Lab work.
Assessment:
Tutorials, course work, dissertation, oral presentation.
Lab work.
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.
 Writing skill, etc
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Lectures, assignments, preparation of presentations.
Preparation of the research project report.
Tutorials, course work, dissertation, oral presentation
Assessment:
Tutorials, course work, dissertation, oral presentation.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/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)
Dr Edith Chan
Name(s):
Prof David Selwood
Date of Production:
25 September 2013
Date of Review:
November 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
November 2015
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
November 2015