Courses / Department of Chemistry

Bachelor's Degree in Medicinal Chemistry

General Objectives of the Course

This degree is to be carried out in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmacy. Its objective is to train scientists to conceptualize, design, synthesize and optimize new molecules with enhanced therapeutic effects, which may become part of future pharmaceuticals. The graduate student should be familiar with the laboratory good practices manual regarding the pharmaceutical production and should contribute to the production of molecules for clinical experiments. This degree combines the exactness of science with the creativity of innovation and discovery. Following the traditional line of the University of Coimbra, this degree includes a basic preparation to scientific research and to the creation of intellectual property.

Admission Requirements

National Call for Access and Entry to Higher Education (DGES):

Entry exams:
07 Physics and Chemistry
19 Mathematics A

Application score: 100 points (0-200 scale)
Entry exams: 95 points (0-200 scale)

Calculation Formula:
Secondary school average: 50%
Entry exams: 50%

Other forms of access (UC-applicants):
- Change of Institution / Course Pair Schemes;
- Special Access Call for over 23-years-olds;
- Special Access Call for Holders of Other Higher Education Courses;
- Special Call for International Students.

This information does not exempt the consultation of the webpage of the Directorate General of Higher Education (DGES) and/or of the Applicants website. Please, visit the DGES and the Applicants websites

Professional Goals

Medicinal Chemistry is an innovative training programme in Portugal which has already been emerging in the rest of Europe. In fact, these professionals are part of multidisciplinary teams in the pharmaceutical industry. Career opportunities for medicinal chemists include research companies, public and private research laboratories, start-up technologies in the Health field and implementing good practices in the pharmaceutical industry and industrial chemistry.

Mode of Study

The course is delivered in the daytime schedule.

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently registered for under the terms of number 6 of article 4 of the University of Coimbra Pedagogical Policy. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever assessment includes more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according to a formula published in the course outline under the terms of number 2 of article 7 of the UC Pedagogical Policy.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The first BSc. in Medicinal Chemistry in Portugal is a response to fill in the gaps in the areas of healthcare and pharma, which seek to recruit professionals with a solid scientific basis, with a background in the molecular sciences, capable of:
1) Designing, synthesizing and evaluating molecular products in a pharmacological context.
2) Rationalizing and predicting, based on theoretical and computational models, structure-activity relationships in the field of medicine.
3) Promoting innovation, identifying relationships between complex phenomena and modifying molecular structures to improve results.
4) Using the most sophisticated techniques critically to obtain information of medical relevance, including measuring, analyzing and interpreting the chemical analysis that underlies a clinical set-up.
5) Dealing with complex issues in a multidisciplinary environment.

Course Coordinator(s)

Mário José Ferreira Calvete
mcalvete@qui.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Mário Túlio dos Santos Rosado
mtulio@qui.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Decree-Law no. 74/2006, 24th of March, amended and republished by the decree: DL no. 107/2008, 25th of June; Ordinance no. 782/2009, 23rd of July.

Graduation Requirements

Access to Further Studies

After graduating students are advised to get a Master’s degree. The following courses are recommended: MSc in Medicinal Chemistry, MSc in Industrial Pharmaceutical Chemistry, MSc in Forensic Chemistry, MSc in Chemistry.

Study Programme

Medicinal Chemistry

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
1st Cycle Studies

DGES Code: 8408

Qualification Awarded: Bachelor's Degree

Duration: 6 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 180.0

Applications

Call for Applications

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2020-07-31 a 2026-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 9/2010/AL01; 2017-01-05