Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)

5 Years On Campus Joint-bachelors Program

University of Dundee

Program Overview

This degree is perfect if you’re curious about how chemistry and biology come together to create life-changing medicines. You’ll gain hands-on experience in laboratories, learn how new drugs are discovered, and build the skills to make a real impact in health and medicine.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (Level 1):
Your first year is all about building a solid foundation in science. You’ll explore the building blocks of life, learn essential organic chemistry, and develop practical lab skills with Core Skills in the Life Sciences 1A. Optional modules like Introduction to Scientific Enterprise also give a glimpse of how science works in the real world.

Year 2 (Level 2):
In Year 2, you start connecting chemistry and biology more deeply. Modules like Cellular Communication and Human Physiology & Pharmacology show how molecules interact in living systems, while Statistics and Experimental Design equips you to analyse real scientific data. Your lab work continues to grow in complexity with Core Skills in the Life Sciences 2A/B, preparing you for independent research.

Industry Placement (Between Levels 3 and 4):
After two years, you’ll spend a whole year in an industrial placement, working in a real lab. This gives you practical experience, professional contacts, and a chance to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting — a huge boost for your future career.

Year 3 (Level 3):
Back on campus, you’ll tackle advanced topics such as Genome Biology, Modern Drug Discovery Fundamentals, and Synthesis for Drug Discovery. Alongside, research-focused modules like Research Skills 3A/3B let you start designing and running your own experiments, giving a taste of real scientific investigation.

Year 4 (Level 4):
Your final year is your chance to shine with a 40-credit Research Project, where you lead a piece of original research. You’ll also take advanced modules like Chemical Biology and Advanced Modern Drug Discovery, with optional units such as Cancer Pharmacology or Stem Cells in Development & Disease, letting you tailor the course to your interests.

Focus Areas

Molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, and translating scientific discoveries into new drugs.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to design and test new molecules, understand how diseases work at a molecular level, carry out rigorous lab research, and apply your knowledge to real drug discovery projects.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, confirming its quality and relevance for careers in biology, drug development, and research.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Dundee is top in the UK for research quality in Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Complete University Guide 2026).
Graduates of this course benefit from strong industry links, with Dundee ranking joint 2nd in Scotland for graduate prospects (Guardian University Guide 2025).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Dundee, learning isn’t just about lectures — it’s about getting your hands dirty in real-world science. From day one, you’ll step into state-of-the-art laboratories where chemistry and biology come together to discover new medicines. The program gives you the chance to work alongside world-class researchers in cutting-edge facilities like the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) and the Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, so you see firsthand how discoveries move from the lab bench to potential life-saving treatments.

You’ll gain practical experience with modern scientific tools, learn to analyse real data, and develop the confidence to tackle complex experiments — all while being supported by experts in the field. Your year in industry also means you’ll experience professional lab life, make industry connections, and see how your skills translate to real-world impact. This is experiential learning in action, combining theory, practice, and career-ready experience:

Industry Placement: A full year working in a commercial lab, giving you hands-on experience, professional contacts, and a real boost for your future career.
Drug Discovery Unit (DDU): Access high-tech labs featuring robotics, high-throughput screening, structural biology (X-ray and cryo-EM), computational chemistry, and AI-assisted drug design.
Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR): Collaborate with teams focused on parasitology, medicinal chemistry, and mode-of-action studies, experiencing research that’s shaping the future of anti-infective therapies.
Biomarker and Drug Analysis Laboratory (BMDA): Work with mass spectrometry and other analytical tools to measure biomarkers, drugs, and metabolites — key skills for real drug development.
Research Projects: Lead your own 40-credit research project in your final year, applying what you’ve learned to real-world drug discovery challenges.
Training & Short Courses: Opportunities to attend workshops and training in assay development, medicinal chemistry, and drug metabolism, taught by experts from Dundee’s research centres.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this degree are ready to jump straight into exciting roles like drug discovery scientist, medicinal chemist, research associate in a pharmaceutical company, or regulatory and quality affairs specialist. Thanks to the hands-on year in industry and close work with Dundee’s world-class research centres, you’ll leave with practical experience, professional contacts, and the confidence to make an impact in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.

Here’s how Dundee helps turn your degree into a launchpad for your career:

Career Support: The University’s Careers Service provides one-to-one guidance with subject specialists, mock interviews, CV support, and access to recruitment fairs featuring hundreds of employers.
Internships & Jobs: Through the Careers Service JobShop, students can access thousands of part-time roles, internships, and graduate opportunities — giving you real-world experience before you even graduate.
Industry Connections: You’ll benefit from links with the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) and Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, gaining insight into pre-clinical drug development and translational research.
Employment Outcomes: Almost all graduates from this course (100%) move into work or further study within 15 months, with typical starting salaries around £22,500.
Accreditation & Credibility: The programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, giving your qualification long-term professional recognition and added value.
Graduate Destinations: Alumni go on to work in research, teaching, regulatory affairs, and a wide variety of scientific roles, reflecting the broad, interdisciplinary nature of the degree.

Further Academic Progression:
Once you’ve completed your BSc, you could continue your studies with a Master’s or PhD in areas like computational chemistry, biological data science, medicinal chemistry, or drug discovery research. For example, Dundee offers an MSc in Biological Data Science, which builds on the skills you’ve already developed and opens doors to cutting-edge research and specialist careers.