Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery BSc (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Dundee

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by how chemistry and biology come together to create life-changing medicines, the BSc (Hons) in Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery at the University of Dundee is perfect for you. You’ll get hands-on experience in cutting-edge labs, learn from world-class researchers, and discover how to design and develop new drugs that could tackle some of the biggest health challenges.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 / Level 1
In your first year, you’ll lay the groundwork with essential life-science and chemistry knowledge. You’ll explore The Building Blocks of Life, learning about proteins, DNA, lipids, and enzymes, while Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry introduces you to the chemical principles behind biological molecules. Alongside, Core Skills in the Life Sciences gives you practical lab experience, from PCR to gel electrophoresis, helping you gain confidence in the lab from the start.

Year 2 / Level 2
Your second year builds on that foundation and starts to bring it all together. In Human Physiology and Pharmacology, you’ll see how drugs interact with the body, while Biomolecular Mechanisms dives into the molecular details of cell function. You’ll also take Core Skills 2A, where you design experiments and work collaboratively, sharpening both your technical skills and your scientific thinking.

Year 3 / Level 3
This is where you start to specialize. Genome Biology explores how genes are regulated, and Cell Biology shows how cells communicate and function. You’ll also get hands-on with research projects through Research Skills 3A & 3B and begin studying drug design in Modern Drug Discovery Fundamentals and Synthesis for Drug Discovery, giving you a taste of how medicines move from the lab bench to the clinic.

Year 4 / Level 4
Your final year puts you in the driver’s seat. You’ll carry out a major Research Project in Biological Sciences, applying everything you’ve learned to a real research question. Alongside, modules like Advanced Modern Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology let you explore the cutting edge of drug design, with optional modules such as Cancer Pharmacology or Advanced Bioinformatics helping you tailor your studies to your interests and career goals.

Focus Areas

Drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, molecular interactions, proteomics, genome regulation, therapeutic target identification, and translational research.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, you’ll be confident in the lab, able to design and interpret experiments, understand drug design and development, and communicate scientific ideas clearly. You’ll also gain experience working independently and as part of a team, preparing you for research or industry roles.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, showing it meets the high standards expected for bioscience graduates.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

The University of Dundee is highly respected for biological and biomedical sciences research, with internationally recognized research centres in drug discovery giving students access to world-class facilities and expertise.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Dundee, this degree isn’t just about lectures — it’s about rolling up your sleeves and working in world-class labs from day one. You’ll get hands-on experience using the same cutting-edge facilities that professional researchers rely on, from high-throughput screening platforms to advanced chemistry labs. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with experts in drug discovery, learn to use real industry tools, and even contribute to ongoing research projects that could help tackle global health challenges.

Here’s how you’ll gain real-world skills and experience:

Drug Discovery Unit (DDU): Work in industry-grade labs where high-throughput screening, hit validation, and fragment-based drug discovery happen daily.
Medicinal Chemistry Labs: Use fully equipped synthetic chemistry labs with automated purification systems and NMR to explore drug molecules.
Computational Chemistry & Informatics: Get hands-on with molecular modeling, chemoinformatics, and in silico drug design.
Molecular Interactions & Structural Biology: Learn protein expression, SPR instrumentation, and structural biology techniques like X-ray crystallography.
Drug Metabolism & PK/PD Studies: Gain experience with UPLC‑MS/MS and other tools to study how drugs behave in the body.
Independent Research Project: Carry out a semester-long project in a real research group, potentially within WCAIR or the Drug Discovery Unit.
Summer Traineeships: Opportunities to work alongside supervisors on lab-based projects during the summer.
Analytical Facilities: Access advanced labs like the Biomarker and Drug Analysis Lab for mass spectrometry and metabolite studies.
Interdisciplinary Research Centres: Engage with world-class centres such as WCAIR, the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, and the Mode-of-Action Group.
School of Life Sciences Core Facilities: Explore flow cytometry, proteomics, computational biology labs, and more.
Structured Training: Participate in hands-on training programmes, both in-person and online, to boost your skills and confidence.

You won’t just learn about drug discovery — you’ll experience it, using the same equipment and methods as real scientists. It’s a program designed to prepare you for a career in research, industry, or further study, giving you both the knowledge and the practical skills to hit the ground running.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this degree opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers. Many students go on to work as Drug Discovery Scientists, Research Associates, Computational Chemists, or in Quality Assurance and Regulatory roles in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. You’ll have the practical skills, hands-on experience, and industry knowledge to hit the ground running in research labs, biotech companies, or even healthcare innovation roles.

Here’s how Dundee supports your journey and helps you succeed:

Careers Services: The University’s dedicated Careers Service provides one-on-one guidance, helps you polish your CV, prepare for interviews, and offers recruitment fairs and employer networking events tailored for Life Sciences students.
Employment Statistics & Salaries: Recent graduates enjoy strong outcomes — 100% of Dundee Biosciences graduates are employed or studying further within 15 months, with typical starting salaries around £25,500.
University–Industry Partnerships: You’ll benefit from real-world links to the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU), the Wellcome Centre for Anti‑Infectives Research (WCAIR), and the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, plus collaborations with pharma companies like AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
Accreditation & Recognition: The degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, giving your qualification credibility and long-term value in the biosciences industry.
Graduate Opportunities: Lab-based traineeships, internships, and collaborative research projects during your degree mean you can leave with real experience and strong professional networks.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, there are excellent options. You could pursue a Master’s in Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, or Chemical Biology, or go on to a PhD in one of Dundee’s world-leading research centres like WCAIR or the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation. The skills you gain also open doors to further study in computational biology, pharmacology, or translational medicine.