Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry

Objectives of Medical chemistry is innovative in nature and the basis for finding drug development worldwide. Graduates willcompete for important sites in pharmaceutical research centers, laboratories, private and public related companies in addition to the ability to create small projects that are eligible for growth, development and competition.

• Graduates will have a comprehensive knowledge base of the discipline by engaging the primary literature and by using technologies and tools for discovering and building knowledge in medicinal chemistry and related technology.
• Graduates will be critical thinkers with the ability to reflect upon scientific knowledge and continue to expand upon this knowledge throughout their careers.
• Graduates will be able to employ appropriate experimental design and methodology to solve problems from a medicinal chemistry perspective.
• Graduates will enhance and actively participate in the development of Palestinian economy by applying the acquired latest technologies in chemistry, research and pharmaceutical industries or they can start and develop their own business.
• Graduates will be able to communicate efficiently and apply underlying principles of medicinal chemistry sciences to current issues.

• Finding drugs from natural products, formulate them and study their effects on human body and their efficiency curing different diseases.
• Synthesizing drugs in laboratory with the aid of computational chemistry.
• Working with physicians to modify the existing drugs in order to improve their efficiency and minimizing their side effects.

Having the general secondary school certificate in the scientific stream with average not less than 75%.

• As school teacher for chemistry, biology and public health.
• Pharmaceutical industry companies.
• Marketing medicines and other pharmaceuticals.
• Extract drugs from natural products and formulate them in appropriate forms, for different health care applications.
• Work in different scientific research centers and laboratories for drug synthesis and developments.
• This study is equivalent to pre- med academic programs in USA and Canada. After graduation, students can continue their study for bachelor degree in medicine.

A Bachelor’s degree full major in Medical Chemistry is awarded after the successful completion of at least 125 credit hours distributed as follows

Requirements	Compulsory	Elective	Total
Required University Courses	18	6	24
Required College Courses	18	—	18
Required courses	75		75
Elective courses		8	8
Total	125

1. Required University courses (24 C.H.)

All students registered to obtain a bachelor’s degree in medical chemistry must successfully complete the required university courses (24) credit hours distributed as follows:

A) required university courses / 18 credit hours are the following:
#	Course Name	Course No.		C.H.		Notes
1	Arabic language skills	0400101		2
2	English language skills 1	0400184		2
3	English language skills 2	0400185		2
4	History of Jerusalem	0400120		2
5	Environment and nature of Palestine	0400121		2
6	Islamic culture	0400122		2
7	Islamic and world civilizations	0400123		3
8	Critical thinking	0400124		3
B) University Elective courses / 6 credit hours (languages)
#	Course name	Course No.		C.H.		Notes
1	Hebrew language for beginners	0400111		3
2	Hebrew language (medium level)	0400112		3
3	French language for beginners	0400113		3		or
4	French language (medium)	0400114		3
5	German language for beginners	0400115		3		or
6	German language (medium)	0400116		3
7	Spanish language for beginners	0400117		3		or
8	Spanish language 2	0400184		3
9	Turkish language for beginners	0400185		3		or
10	Turkish language 2	0400129		3
11	Italian language for beginners	0400146		3		or
12	Italian language 2	0400147		3
13	Any foreign language approved by the Academic Council later			6
or (b) elective university courses / 6 credit hours (cultural subjects)
#	Course Name		Course No.		C.H		Notes
1	Science and life		0300142		3
2	Arts		0400130		3
3	Introduction to music		0400131		3
4	Literary texts		0400132		3
5	Gender		0400133		3
6	Issues of modern and contemporary Arab thought		0400141		3
7	Internet for special purposes		0303100		3
8	Democracy, human rights and international humanitarian law		0500140		3
9	Conflict resolution by peaceful means		0500143		3
10	Skills for the Workplace		0700301		3

2. Required College courses (18 credit hours): The student must successfully complete all of the following courses:

perquisite	Total C.H’s	practical	theoretical	Course name	Course No.
—	4	1	3	Introduction to biology	0305101
—	3	1	2	Introduction to physics	0302101
—	4	1	3	Introduction to computer science	0303101
—	4	1	3	Introduction to chemistry	0304101
—	3	–	3	Calculus	0306101
18		Total

1- Required Major Courses 75credit hours: The student within the major must successfully complete all of the following course

perquisite	Credit Hours			Course name	Course No.
	Total	practical	Theoretical
0304101	4	–	4	Organic chemistry (I)	0315211
0315211	4	1	3	Organic chemistry (II)	0315212
0304101	4	1	3	Thermodynamics for medicinal chemistry	0315221
0304101	4	1	3	Inorganic chemistry	0315231
0304101	4	1	3	Medicinal analytical Chemistry	0315241
0315211	4	–	4	Biochemistry (I)	0315251
0304101	4	1	3	Kinetics for Medicinal Chemistry	0315322
0315212	4	1	3	Advanced Organic Chemistry	0315313
0315241	4	1	3	Instrumental Analysis	0315342
0305101	3	1	2	Microbiology	0315361
0305101	4	–	4	Anatomy and Physiology	0315362
0315313	4	1	3	Industrial Pharmaceutical	0315473
0315362	4	–	4	Pharmacology (I)	0315371
0315313	4			Medicinal chemistry (I)	0315372
0315361	3			Pathophysiology	0315364
0315371	4		4	Pharmacology (II)	0315474
0315372	4	4	3	Medicinal Chemistry (II)	0315475
0305101	3		3	Cellular & Molecular Biology	0315363
0315313	3	1	2	Pharmacognosy	0315416
Approval of department	3	2	1	Graduation project and seminar	0316483

b. Elective courses for Medicinal Chemistry major (8 hours): The student must successfully complete at least 8 hours of the following courses:

prerequisite	Credit hours			Course name	Course No.
	Total	practical	Theoretical
0315371	3		3	Toxicology	0315477
0315251	4	1	3	Biochemistry (II)	0315352
0315313	2	1	1	Drug Design	0315476
0315231			2	Bioinorganic chemistry	0315332
0315322	3		3	Colloids	0315423
0304101	3		3	Total quality management	0315281
0315211	3		3	Polymers for medical applications	0315314
0315313	3		3	Heterocyclic chemistry and drug synthesis	0315415
0315231	3		3	Nano chemistry	0315433
0304101	1		1	First aid	0315282

Required Courses for the Minor in medicinal chemistry (suitable for major in Biology and other related majors in the health complex): divided into two parts, required 19 hours and elective 8 hours

1. Required courses (19 hours): The student must complete all the following courses

prerequisite	Credit hours			Course name	Course number
	Total	practical	Theoretical
0315313	4		4	Medicinal Chemistry (I)	0315372
0315362	4		4	Pharmacology (I)	0315371
0315372	4		4	Medicinal Chemistry (II)	0315475
0315371	4		4	Pharmacology (II)	0315474
0315361	3		3	Pathophysiology	0315364

b. Elective courses for minor Medicinal Chemistry (8 hours): The student must successfully complete at least 8 hours of the following courses:

prerequisite	Credit hours			Course name	Course number
	Total	practical	Theoretical
0315371	3		3	Toxicology	0315477
0315251	4	1	3	Biochemistry (II)	0315352
0315313	2	1	1	Drug Design	0315476
0315231	2		2	Bioinorganic chemistry	0315332
0315322	3		3	Colloids	0315423
0304101	3		3	Total quality management	0315281
0315211	3		3	Polymers for medical applications	0315314
0315313	3		3	Heterocyclic chemistry and drug synthesis	0315415
0315231	3		3	Nano chemistry	0315433
0304101	1		1	First aid	0315282

Plan of study ( P.O.S ) for medicinal chemistry

Freshman

First semester
Course name	Course number	Prerequisite	Credit hours
			theory	practice	total
General chemistry	0304101	–	3	1	4
Introduction to biology	0305101	–	3	1	4
Calculus I	0306101	–	3	–	3
University -compulsory course		–	3	–	3
Introduction to physics	0302101		2	1	3
					17
Second semester
Course name	Course number	Prerequisite	Credit hours
			theory	practical	total
Microbiology	0315361	0305101	2	1	3
Organic chemistry (I)	0315211	0304101	4	–	4
Cellular & molecular biology	0315363	0305101	3	–	3
Medicinal analytical chemistry	0315241	0304101	3	1	4
University -compulsory course		–	2	–	2
University -compulsory course		–	2	–	2
					18

Sophomore

First semester
Course name	Course number	Prerequisite	Credit hours
			theory	practical	total
Organic chemistry (II)	0315212	0315211	3	1	4
Anatomy and Physiology	0315362	0305101	4	–	4
Biochemistry 1	0315251	0315211	4	–	4
Kinetics for medicinal chemistry	0315322	0304101	3	1	4
University -compulsory course		–	3	–	3
					19

Second semester
Course name	Course number	Prerequisite	Credit hours
			theory	practical	total
Advanced organic chemistry	0315313	0315212	3	1	4
Inorganic chemistry	0315231	0304101	3	1	4
thermodynamics for medicinal chemistry	0315221	0304101	3	1	4
Introduction to computer science	0303101		3	1	4
University -compulsory course		–	2	–	2
					18

 

Junior

First semester
Course name	Course number	Prerequisite	Credit hours
			theory	practical	total
Program elective course					2
Industrial pharmaceuticals	0315473	0315313	3	1	4
Pharmacology1	0315371	0315362	4	–	4
Medicinal chemistry1	0315372	0315313	4	–	4
Skills for the Workplace	0700301	–	3	–	3
					17

Second semester
Course name	Course number	Prerequisite	Credit hours
			theory	practical	total
Pharmacology2	0315474	0315371	4	–	4
Medicinal chemistry2	0315475	0315372	4	–	4
Pharmacognosy	0315416	0315313	3	–	3
Instrumental analysis	0315342	0315241	3	1	4
University -compulsory course		–	2	–	2
University -compulsory course		–	2	–	2
					19

Senior

First semester
Course name	Course number	Prerequisite	Credit hours
			theory	practical	total
Pathophysiology	0315364	0315361	3	–	3
Program- elective course			3	–	3
Program- elective course			3	–	3
Graduation project and seminar			1	2	3
University -compulsory course		–	2	–	2
University- elective course		–	3	–	3
Total					17

Organic chemistry I (0315211) 4 credit hours

The basic principles of organic chemistry will be covered with an emphasis on energy changes, chemical reactivity, structure, bonding, acid-base theories, and flow electrons mechanisms. The following major classes of organic compounds will be discussed: Alkanes, Cycloalkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, with emphasis on major class reactions and reactive intermediates. Structural concepts such as conformational analysis and stereochemistry will also be studied. Presentations, small talks and homework are part of this course.

Organic chemistry II (0315212) 4 credit hours

A comprehensive and detailed study of the reactions and properties of different functional groups including alkenes, alkynes, dienes, arenes, alcohols and ethers.  Reaction mechanisms, as well as multi-step synthesis of more complicated compounds, are incorporated. It also includes spectrophotometric methods of identification of organic compounds (UV-visible, IR, H1NMR, C13NMR and mass spectrometer). The experimental part of this course introduces the students to experience and practice the basic techniques of determining melting and boiling points as well as to perform different separation techniques such as distillation, crystallization, extraction and chromatography. Also, it includes carrying out simple chemical tests and synthesis of alcohols, alkenes and alkyl halides.

Thermodynamics for Medicinal chemistry (0315221) 4 credit hours.

It includes the study of ideal as well as real gas laws and equations. The three laws of thermodynamics with full and detailed derivations and applications are included with an emphasis on the mathematical approaches. The fundamental equations and relationships such as Gibbs-Helmholtz equations. It also includes the study of equilibrium states, equilibrium electrochemistry, the chemical potential, phase rules with applications on real as well as ideal solutions and mixtures.

In the experimental part the student will attend about 12 lab sessions and perform 12 lab experiments which include constructing of all types of phase diagrams, calculating equilibrium constant and enthalpy changes of chemical reactions by different methods, measuring solution parameters.

Inorganic chemistry (0315231) 4 credit hours

Concepts of atomic structure with special emphasis on wave mechanics and atomic orbital. It deals with the structures of simple solids, molecular structure and bonding, molecular symmetry, molecular orbital theory with an approach of group theory. Coordination Chemistry, and Study of Ligand Field Theory. Molecular orbitals of coordination compounds will be discussed, electronic Spectrum, Kinetics and thermodynamics of coordination compounds and synthesis of coordination compounds will all be included. This course will include a practical part it will include synthesis, Physical (instrumental) methods of compound characterization, elucidation of structure and properties such as electrical   conductivity and spectral patterns.

Medicinal Analytical Chemistry (0315241) 4 credit hours.

Medicinal analytical chemistry concentrates on the fundamental principles of quantitative analysis, evaluation of errors in analyses and reporting. Methods to be discussed, gravimetric analysis, titrimetric methods including neutralization, precipitation, complexation and redox titrations. Study of indicators and buffers.

Practical analytical chemistry, gives safety regulations, basic tools and operations of analytical chemistry, statistics and data treatment, carry out real gravimetric and titrimetric samples.

Biochemistry (0315251) 4 credit hours

Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of life. This introductory course in biochemistry is a brief overview of the structures, physical and chemical properties, occurrence and functions of the molecules found in living matter, the biomolecules.  This course will focus on basic concepts in biochemistry. The four major classes of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids) will be covered in this course. The emphasis will be on the chemical properties and three-dimensional structure of these molecules in relationship to their biological function.

Total quality management (0315281) 3 credit hours

The course deals with the concept of quality management as one of the modern administrative concepts aimed at developing and improving the quality of the goods and services produced by planning the quality of the products, controlling this quality and studying total quality management in terms of its concept and principles, As well as the global quality management system according to international standard organization ISO, and the international experience in the field of total quality management.

First aid (0315282) 1 credit hour

The purpose of this course is to help student to identify and eliminate potentially hazardous conditions in their environment, recognize emergencies, and make appropriate decisions for first aid care. It teaches skills that students need to know in order to provide immediate care for a suddenly ill or injured person until more advanced medical care arrives to take over.

Advanced Organic chemistry (0315313) 4 credit hours

It continues the advanced and comprehensive detailed study of the reactions and properties of the functional groups including aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, amines and phenols. Reaction mechanisms, as well as multi-step synthesis of more complicated compounds. The experimental part of this course focuses on the synthesis of different functional group compounds including single and multiple-step procedures for the above-mentioned families of compounds. It also includes the systematic methods for identification of an unknown organic compounds using chemical tests and derivatives and different spectrophotometric methods

Polymers for Medical applications (0315314) 3 credit hours

Study of polymer chemistry based on synthesis mechanisms associated with chain-growth and step-growth polymerization, including advanced mechanisms such as atom transfer radical polymerization, living polymerization, and coordination polymerization. Basic knowledge regarding kinetics, network formation, and gelation. Industrial polymerization processes are considered in light of production rates as well as the form and properties of the product. Polymer structure/conformation and transitions from liquid (melt) to solid (polymer crystal or glass) states are discussed using equilibrium thermodynamic, kinetics and free volume considerations. Knowledge is conveyed of molecular weight determination via osmotic pressure, viscometry and size exclusion chromatography. A cursory introduction is provided into the mechanical and rheological properties of polymers used in Medical Applications.

Kinetics for Medicinal chemistry (0315322) 4 credit hours.

This course contains theoretical and practical parts. In this course the following topics will be covered: Molecules in motion: The kinetic model of gases, collisions with walls and surfaces, the rate of effusion, transport properties of a perfect gas. Molecular motion in liquid: Conductivity of weak and strong electrolytes, mobility of ions and diffusion. Processes at solid surfaces: Different adsorption isotherms. The rate of chemical reaction: Definition, rate law and rate constant, reactions approaching equilibrium, temperature dependence of reaction rate, mechanisms of reactions, Kinetics of complex reactions (chain reactions, photochemistry, polymerization kinetics, homogeneous catalysts, enzymes. Molecular reaction dynamics: collision theory and diffusion-controlled reactions.

In the experimental part the student are expected to attend about 12 lab sessions and perform 12 lab experiments which include mobility and ion conductivity and activity coefficient. Viscosity measurements. Adsorption experiments and different kinetic studies.

Bioinorganic Chemistry (0315332) 2 credit hours

This course will provide students with an overview of the many tasks performed by inorganic elements in living organisms as well as the related methods and theories with particular emphasis on enzymatic conversions and electron transfer. It focuses on topics, e.g. metalloenzymes in metabolism and synthesis, technical applications of hydrogenases or metal containing pharmaceuticals.

Instrumental analysis (0315342) 4 credit hours.

This course will cover the basic principles, applications and operation of the modern analytical instrumentation such as chromatographic separation techniques and spectroscopic techniques as well as electrochemical techniques.

The course deals with modern instruments used in quantitative chemical analysis, such as fluorometer, UV-visible spectrometer, FTIR, ICP-MS, HPLC, GC, polarimeter, refractometer, conductivity meter, atomic absorption and flame photometer.

Biochemistry (II) (0315352) 4 credit hours

Studying metabolic pathways and metabolic regulation energy transduction in biological systems, enzyme catalytic mechanisms. Biochemical approach to cellular information processing. DNA and RNA structure. DNA replication, transcription, and repair. Translation of mRNA to make proteins. The practical part concerned with biochemical and genetic methods for studying protein function. Site-directed mutagenesis and molecular cloning, protein purification, enzyme activity assays, computer modeling of protein structure.

Microbiology (0315361) 3 credit hours

In this course the following topics will be covered: Characteristic of microorganisms, fundamental aspects of prokaryotes, fungi, study of metabolism, energy production and genetics. Ecology of microorganisms will be studied.

The laboratory part includes experiments designed to illustrate the topics covered in the lecture part.

Anatomy and Physiology (0315362) 4 credit hours

Study of human anatomy and physiology including anatomical terminology, cells, tissues, integuments, skeletal, muscular, muscular, nervous, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic/immune, respiratory, digestive, urinaryand reproductive system. Discussions will include ion movement, action potentials, synapses & receptors, the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle and the mechanisms specific to vision, hearing, smell & taste, in addition to the somatosensory system.Complementary laboratory experiences will provide the opportunity to apply the information collected to clinical or research situations.

Cellular & Molecular biology (0315363) 3 credit hours

Modern cell biology is a unifying discipline that describes the structure and function of cells in all their genetic, biochemical, developmental, physiological and pathophysiological aspects. This course will introduce students to the dynamic relationships between cell structure and the biochemical reactions that are necessary for cell growth, differentiation, survival and death with an emphasis on eukaryotic cells.

Pathophysiology (0315364) 3 credit hours

This course focuses on the pathophysiology of common disease conditions affecting human beings across the lifespan. Content builds on basic anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and chemistry content. The pathophysiologic bases of common human health alterations and associated clinical manifestations are discussed.

Pharmacology (I) (0315371) 4 credit hours

Basic and medical pharmacology, classification of drugs affecting a particular system will be offered along with mechanisms of action, pharmacologic effects and some pharmacokinetic properties. This course is designed to provide: Understanding the general principles of pharmacology, i.e. the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of drug. Understanding the classification of drugs affecting autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system, will be offered along with mechanisms of action, pharmacologic effects and some pharmacokinetic properties.

Medicinal chemistry(I) (0315372) 4 credit hours

This course is an introduction to the concepts required to understand drugs as organic chemicals whose biological activities are derived from their chemical structures, physicochemical properties, and metabolic pathways. The course will discuss specific drug classes by covering its chemistry, synthesis, mechanism of action and its structural activity relationship.

Heterocyclic chemistry and drug synthesis (0315415)3 credit hours

This course enables the students to recognize the chemistry of various heterocyclic compounds (pyridines, quinolines, isoquinolines, pyrroles, furanes, tiophenes, indoles, pyrimidines, purines, imidazoles, aziridines and oxiranes) with the emphasis on integrating their structure in drugs activity and synthesis. In this course various synthetic approached will be discussed and study of mechanisms. The kinetic and thermodynamic effects will be discussed.

Pharmacognosy (0315416) 3 credit hours

This course focus on the various applications of natural products. Natural products that are produced by plants, algae and other organisms, endo and exo-toxins, antibiotics, perfumes, malodorants, cosmetics, dietary supplements, etc. The course will focus on nomenclature, structure, biosynthesis, occurrence, analysis and application perspectives of these products.

Colloids (0315423) 3 credit hours

If we consider the three states of matter, gas, liquid and solid, we can observe colloidal systems in all possible combinations. Our ability to understand, use, and control colloids depends on our mastery of their properties, nearly all industrial processes involve colloidal systems.

A Major area of colloidal science involves association colloids formed by amphiphilic molecules.  This course discusses the general characteristics of amphiphilic self-organizing systems. The structural characteristics as well as the solvophobic interactions that drive aggregation will be described.

Micellar systems both ionic and nonionic micelles will be discussed through the study of ternary phase diagrams where the phase behavior as a function of composition can be represented on triangular plot. The discussion also deals with association processes leading to the formation of liquid crystals, vesicles, and gels. Examination of self-organizing properties of surfactant-polymer system, proteins and polyelectrolytes will be presented. The practical part involves preparation of colloidal solution including micelles, inverse micelles, lamellar liquid crystal, hexagonal liquid crystals in addition to the thermodynamically unstable liposomes and double emulsions.

Nano chemistry (0315433) 3 credit hours.

This course introduces the fundamental principles needed to understand the behavior of materials at the nanometer length scale and the different classes of nanomaterials. Applications and relevance to technology will be studied. Topics include: introduction to different classes of nanomaterials, including both inorganic and organic constituents; synthesis of nanomaterials, including chemical and physical vapor transport, solution chemistry, and nanofabrication methods; characterization of nanomaterials, including x-ray techniques, scanning probe microscopy and electron microscopy; and the electronic, thermal, optical and mechanical properties of nanomaterials. Throughout the course we discuss the origin of size effects in controlling the properties of nanomaterials.

Industrial pharmaceutical (0315473) 4 credit hours

This Couse involves preparatory methods of typical medicinal and drugs for both internal and external use, with a survey of the chemistry of some therapeutic classes, such as antibiotics, analgesic, Antipyretic, Antispasmodic, Antianxiety, Antihistamine, Diuretic Decongestant etc.  The course deals also with drugs manufacture and Formulations, tablet making, capsules, suppositories, ointments, solutions and suspensions with emphasis on quality control and biological assay of Products.

Pharmacology (II) (0315474) 4 credit hours

This course is designed to provide an understanding and classification of drugs for pain and inflammation, autoimmune system, endocrine system, chemotherapeutics drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, and drugs affecting the central nervous system will be offered along with mechanisms of action, pharmacologic effects and some pharmacokinetic properties.

Medicinal chemistry (II) (0315475) 4 credit hours

This is an advancedlevel course of medicinal chemistry. As a continuation to medicinal chemistry (0315372), the course will introduce various classes of therapeutic agents with the emphasis on their structural features. For each drug class, the discussion will focus on how structural changes affect physicochemical properties and pharmacologic activity of drugs.

Drug design (0315476) 2 credit hours

The drug design Course will present the conceptual background on principles of computational drug design. This course presents an introduction to the applications of drug design and “virtual screening” of bioactive compounds. General topics that will be covered in this course include an overview of drug discovery, molecular modeling, conformational search of small chemical compounds with major focus on the traditional quantitative structure activity relationships including model development and validation. Students will have the opportunity to learn to use several software packages for molecular modeling and drug design such as HyperChem, Dragon for calculating molecular descriptors and Spss for statistical methods and analysis and others. They are expected to complete a semester project that focuses upon the advanced use of the computational resources to the specific problems in drug design. Finally, as part of the drug design course and consistent with the use of computers throughout the pharmaceutical industry, a computer lab is included.

Toxicology (0315477) 3 credit hours

The course will cover basic toxicology and ecotoxicology, including how toxic substances are taken up in the organisms, distributed, bio transformed and excreted, how toxic substances react with biomolecules and downstream consequences for the organism, as well as knowledge about toxic substances, e.g. metals, organic contaminants and pesticides. The course aims to provide a holistic view of the topic by bridging human toxicology and ecotoxicology.

Graduation project and seminar  (0316483) 3 credit hours

Graduation project seminar students carry out project in the field of medicinal chemistry. The project is applied research project.