COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) at UNSW is a four-year full-time program requiring the completion of 192 Units of Credit (UOC), structured to provide a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and drug development. The degree consists of 108 UOC of core courses spanning Levels 1 to 3, covering essential scientific disciplines such as molecular biology, biochemistry, organic and physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology. At Level 1, students study foundational subjects including Molecules, Cells and Genes, Introductory Medicinal Chemistry, Mathematics for Life Sciences, and Statistics for Life and Social Sciences. Level 2 builds deeper knowledge through courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, organic chemistry mechanisms, analytical chemistry, and introductory pharmacology and toxicology. Level 3 focuses on advanced topics such as medicinal organic chemistry, drug discovery and development, molecular pharmacology, and modern synthetic strategies. In addition, students complete 12 UOC of approved Medicinal Chemistry electives, selecting from a wide range of subjects including genetics, immunology, microbiology, bioinformatics, physiology, neuropharmacology, and biotechnology. The program also includes 12 UOC of free electives, which may be chosen from any faculty, and 12 UOC of general education courses to broaden academic perspective. The final 48 UOC is dedicated to an Honours year, where students undertake an advanced research project under expert supervision, developing strong analytical, laboratory, and research skills. Overall, the program prepares graduates for careers in pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and medical research.