Module: Bio-organic & Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Bio-organic & Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Module Code	CHM1012 (ITS: CS206)
Faculty	Chemical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Bio-organic component: This aims to introduce the student to the three major classes of compound which come under the heading of bio-organic molecules: carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids. Pharmacology component: This aims to give a basic introduction to pharmacology and to give an overview of the actions of the major drug classes: anti-infectives, cardiovascular drugs, anticancer drugs and drugs that affect the central nervous system.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the structure and role of carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids
2. Define fundamental pharmacological parameters
3. Relate drug structure and pharmacological action.
4. Give mode of action of major drug classes.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20176	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Silvia Giordani	Module Teacher	Nessan Kerrigan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	100%	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

Pharmacology:
Introduction to pharmacology, commonly prescribed drugs, drug nomenclature, mechanisms of drug action, dose-response relationship. Agonists, antagonists. Receptor models. ED50. Therapeutic Index. Drug Administration. Drug Metabolism. ADME, Ideal drug.

Pharmaceuticals:
Major structural types, classification of the mode of action of drugs. Sources of drugs. Drug development and production. Antiinfectives: antibacterials and antivirals. Stereochemistry and biological activity. Pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism. Examples of phase I and phase II metabolic reactions according to functional groups. Cancer chemotherapy. Drugs affecting the CNS: hypnotics, sedatives, tranquilisers, antidepressants, analgesics, general anaesthetics. Cardiovascular drugs.

Bio-organic:
Carbohydrates: introduction to carbohydrates. Monosaccharides (in particular the family of D-hexoses): Kiliani-Fischer ascent and other reactions, mutarotation and configurations of glucose, Fisher projections, Haworth projections and skeletal structures. Disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides Proteins: Amino acids: isoelectric point, synthesis, protection/deprotection, coupling reactions. Protein sequencing. Structure of proteins. Enzymes. Nucleic acids: Nucleotides, nucleosides and base pairs. Linkages and synthesis. Secondary structure, double helix. DNA, RNA role in body. Sequencing of DNA.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Gareth Thomas: 2007, Medicinal chemistry, Chichester ; John Wiley, 0470025980
0: Any organic chemistry text book that covers bio-organic chemistry (e.g. Organic Chemistry by McMurry or by Solomons, several copies in DCU library),

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None