Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit aims to provide students with a foundation for the development of research skills in the area of medicinal chemistry. Students will conduct preliminary medicinal chemistry research encompassing one or more of the core competencies that underpins the degree program, namely chemical synthesis, analysis, structural biology and computational chemistry.

This will involve:

• Synthetic organic chemistry
• Structural biology
• Computational chemistry
• Pharmacological screening
• X-ray crystallography
• Biochemistry

Objectives

At the end of this unit students will:

1. Have an improved knowledge and better understanding of some aspects of the basic science concepts supporting medicinal chemistry;
2. Be able to undertake a review of the literature and present an evaluation of the literature;
3. Have a basic understanding of the process involved in developing and planning a research project;
4. Be competent to use relevant analytical instrumentation, conduct experimental procedures and methodologies;
5. Be able to undertake data manipulation and analysis and have a basic understanding the results;
6. Be able to communicate the outcomes of the project in the form of an oral presentation and a written scientific report.

Assessment

written report (mini-thesis): 60%; laboratory work: 30%; oral presentation; 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Ben Capuano

Contact hours

12 6 hour practicals, Monday-Friday for Weeks 6-9 inclusive

Prerequisites

PSC2121 Synthetic chemistry I
PSC2122 Synthetic chemistry II
PSC2021 Analytical methods

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/