Module: Drug Design workshop

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Drug Design workshop
Module Code	CHM1041 (ITS: CS415)
Faculty	Chemical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide detailed understanding of some aspects of the problems faced by the modern drug industry in developing new active molecules. This will be achieved by setting the students problems in medicinal chemistry which are then approached using a rational and structured method. This will require the students to work in groups on the application of theoretical and computational drug discovery techniques to different aspects of a problem in molecular design.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the drug design process in modern pharmaceutical science.
2. Work with their class group to collate and analyse data to address a simple problem in drug design.
3. Critically evaluate the outputs of the group and propose improved strategies for further analysis.
4. Present the outcomes of their work in a written form.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	12	No Description
Group work	14	No Description
Independent Study	39	No Description
Assignment Completion	60	Working on assignments 1, 2 & 3
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20185	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	Darren Fayne	Module Teacher	Emma Coyle, Kieran Nolan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group assignment	n/a	10%	n/a
Group presentation	n/a	30%	n/a
Assignment	n/a	60%	Week 9

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

Computational chemistry
Basis of quantum chemical methods, potential energy surfaces, molecular modelling and ab initio methiods. Introduction to modern quantum chemical software tools

Drug design
Application of quantum chemical methods to a selected proble in drug design. Application of QSAR methods. Group work to calculate the properties of a library of compounds and predict efficacy.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Graham L. Patrick: 2015, An Introduction to Drug Synthesis, Oxford University Press, 9780198708438

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None