Postgraduate Diploma in Medicinal Chemistry
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Diploma
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Code
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E68
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Level
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Postgraduate
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Made up of
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120
credits
Description
This qualification enables you to study at postgraduate level aspects of medicinal chemistry that explore the links between disease, mechanisms of action and the development of safe, effective commercial drugs. You can pursue these topics across a number of major health areas including cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, diabetes, neuropharmacology and inflammation. Using the innovative teaching methods pioneered by The Open University, you have the opportunity to understand how drugs are designed, study the latest developments in this changing area of contemporary medical therapy, while developing a wide range of skills associated with masters-level study.
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Planning your studies
To register on any of the Postgraduate Diploma in Medicinal Chemistry modules you must normally hold an honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in science or a science-related subject. If you have other study or experience that you believe equips you to take this qualification you can still apply, but must supply evidence of your study or experience. Your case will be referred to the MSc in Science Admissions Panel. For further advice, email the postgraduate science team.
You will also need good computing skills (e.g. able to search the Web, use email, use word processing packages and take part in online forums). Please see the individual module descriptions to ensure that you are properly prepared before starting to study for this qualification.
All teaching is in English and your proficiency in the English language should be adequate for the level of study you wish to take. We strongly recommend that you have achieved an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 7. To assess your English language skills in relation to your proposed studies you can visit the IELTS website.
We expect you, normally, to take no more than one module a year (although the 30-credit and 60-credit module starts are staggered so you could choose to overlap modules), and to complete the qualification within seven years. However, if you wish to proceed to the MSc in Medicinal Chemistry (F62) or MSc in Science (F12), you will need to complete this diploma course within a shorter period.
We cannot guarantee that the same selection of modules will continue to be available.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 40 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Students resident in Scotland who register on this qualification may be eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan, to a maximum of £1700 per 60 credits, through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. For more information contact: www.saas.gov.uk or email scotland@open.ac.uk.
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Career relevance and employability
Completing this postgraduate diploma course will equip you with a set of key transferable skills which will be relevant for the workplace as well as providing you with a base of postgraduate level science knowledge and understanding. You will learn to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship within medicinal chemistry, as well as evaluating research methodologies. You will learn to deal with complex issues and make sound judgements and decisions in complex situations.
You will learn to communicate information and conclusions to specialist scientific audiences, work effectively as part of a team, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, plan and implement tasks at a professional level.
The nature of this qualification will develop your independent learning skills, such as critical reading, as well as enhance your ICT skills for both literature searching and managing information and strengthen your communication skills with others in both professional and academic contexts.
Having this qualification coupled with practical experience could open up career opportunities in various scientific and medical research fields in the public and private sectors, for example, in the NHS, pharmaceutical companies, medical research, universities, commercial laboratories, and independent healthcare providers.
There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
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Modules
For this 120-credit postgraduate diploma you require:
120 credits from the following compulsory modules
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Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
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Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site.
Up to 60 credits of module exemption can be allowed for either S807, or S827 and/or S825. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
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On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Medicinal Chemistry entitling you to use the letters PG Dip Med Chem (Open) after your name.
You may continue your studies and add a further 60 credits to your diploma to gain a masters degree.
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Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Qualification Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Qualification Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
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How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification
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