Module: Biopharmaceutical Chemistry

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Biopharmaceutical Chemistry
Module Code	BTE1042 (ITS: BE333)
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The module addresses the important physiochemical properties of various bioactive molecules (both drugs and biologics) and how these molecules impact on physiological systems in vivo The curriculum covers the basic principles of pharmacology and biopharma and examines the mode of action of certain drug and biologics with a particular emphasis on the principles of pharmacokinetics and dynamics – including routes of administration, distribution absorption and excretion. The various pharmacological and biopharma interventions prescribed for various disease including cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and infection (microbial and viral) is covered in detail addition to new emerging targeted therapies

Learning Outcomes

1. The physiochemical properties of various bioactive molecules (both drugs and biologics)
2. The basic principles of pharmacology and biopharma - including mode of action of certain drug and biologics, principles of pharmacokinetics and dynamics
3. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for cancer - anti-neoplastic drugs
4. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for the treatment of cardiovascular disease - anti-hypertensives, lipid lowering drugs
5. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for treatment of inflammation - anti-inflammatory drugs
6. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for treatment of infection- anti-microbial drugs, anti-virals and anti-fungal drugs
7. Emerging targeted therapies for treatment of various disease - gene therapy, cell therapy, siRNA's

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	In person Lectures - 12 hours
Assessment Feedback	6	Tutorials in person - 6hrs
Directed learning	24	Online review of course content
Independent Study	83	Independent study
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10241	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Paul Cahill	Module Teacher	Konstantinos Gkrintzalis

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	Review of online content prior to attending lectures and participation in class tutorials	10%	As required
Oral Examination	Oral examination of course content	40%	n/a
Formal Examination	Written examination	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Biological Chemistry
Important Hydrophilic properties of biological molecules - Important Hydrophobic properties of

Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Factors affecting the dosage of drugs - Routes of administration of drugs - Metabolism of drugs/molecules

Bio-pharmaceutical Chemistry
Introduction to the basic principles of Biopharmacology - Examples of Biopharma Protein and Nucleic Acid drugd

Introduction to Pharmacogenetics
Basic principles of Pharmacogenetics with an emphasis on genetic variation in Cytochrome P450 system

Cancer Therapeutics
Important pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical drug classes that interact with the major systems of the human body to treat cancer

Cardiovascular Therapeutics
Important drugs and biologics prescribed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Inflammation Therapeutics
Important drugs and biologics prescribed for the treatment of inflammation (acute and chronic) - immunomodulatory drugs

Anti-infective Therapeutics
Important drugs and biologics prescribed for the treatment of infection, bacteria, viral and fungal infections

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Kourosh Saeb-Parsy: 1999, Instant Pharmacology, John Wiley & Sons, 349, 9780471976394
David S. Ettinger,Ross Donehower: 2008, Current Cancer Therapeutics, Current Medicine Group, 392, 9781573402859
2012: Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Springer, 952, 9783642668937, 1704064
2001: Essentials of Antimicrobial Pharmacology, Springer Science & Business Media, 142, 9781592591220,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Book, Walsh, Gary, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2003, Biopharmaceuticals: Biochemistry and biotechnology, 2nd edition, Wiley and Sons, New York,
416202: 1, Website, Richard E. Klabunde, Ph.D., 1999, Cardiovascular Pharmacology Concepts,
https://www.cvpharmacology.com: