CHM3930 Medicinal chemistry
Faculty of Science
CHM3930 Medicinal chemistry is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CHM3930
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CHM3930
No unit lists CHM3930 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Overview
This unit focuses on several major classes of biologically and clinically important therapeutic agents. You will study the traditional use, isolation, structural characterisation, synthesis and clinical evaluation of drugs and also be exposed to newer crystallographic, computational, combinatorial and screening methodology used in drug design and development. The unit will consist of three interrelated sections: a) drug discovery and development, b) molecular recognition, and c) chemistry and the synthesis of biological polymers. Where appropriate, guest speakers from industry and government agencies will contribute to the subject.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Laboratory workExerciseThreshold hurdle30%
- Radiopharmaceutical assignmentWritten10%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / Test20%
- Final assessment - Exam (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Understand traditional and modern methods used for drug discovery;
- 2
Understand how molecules interact at the molecular level and how this relates to the activity of drugs;
- 3
Demonstrate how crystallography and computational methods are used for drug development;
- 4
Demonstrate a knowledge of reaction mechanisms and how they can aid in understanding the mode of action of a drug;
- 5
Demonstrate practical skills through the practice of chemical synthesis in a laboratory;
- 6
Demonstrate the capacity to work in small research groups, to solve problems and communicate science in both written and oral forms.
Workload and teaching
- Assessments1 hours
- Laboratories36 hours
- Workshops36 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Three 1-hour workshops
- The equivalent of 3 hours of laboratory activities and
- One hour directed independent study per week
Active learning will occur in workshops and lab sessions.
Problem-based learning will be explored in the workshop and laboratory exercises through theoretical concepts and will enable the development of relevant observation and descriptive skills, as well as communication skills.
Online learning will be used to illustrate and explain concepts and to highlight links between theory and laboratory work.
Learning resources
Required resources
Laboratory safety glasses
Lab coat
Closed toe footwear
Notebook for taking lab notes
Where it fits
CHM3930 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Cameron Bentley
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Yeong Keng Yoon
- Dr Kamila Kochan
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHM3930?
CHM3930 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHM3930 offered?
In 2026, CHM3930 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.
Does CHM3930 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include CHM3930?
CHM3930 is part of Chemistry and Medicinal chemistry.