Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Chemistry plays an important role in our society. It is central to finding sustainable solutions to global problems. This includes developing new drugs and vaccines, researching clean energy resources, and feeding a growing population.

You'll be taught by experts who will feed your curiosity for this exciting subject. You may even recognise some of our staff from the popular Periodic Videos YouTube channel.

You will study all the key areas of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, physical chemistry, and gain experience in practical synthetic and analytical chemistry. Optional modules allow you to tailor your degree to your own interests, such as studying the links between chemistry, physics and biology.

Sustainable chemistry

Green and sustainable chemistry is a key research interest here at the University of Nottingham. We have active research in using chemistry as a tool to tackle global challenges. These challenges include developing benign synthesis for manufacture, decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels for power generation and how to develop next-generation materials that impact batteries and solar panels. On this degree, you can study optional modules in green and sustainable chemistry. These modules will give you an understanding of how to make chemical processes more environmentally friendly, and how to use chemistry to tackle environmental challenges.

Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

You will explore the interplay between chemistry and biology to develop an understanding of human disease and drug design. You’ll take compulsory practical modules which introduce essential qualitative and quantitative laboratory skills which are required in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Optional modules allow you to tailor your degree to your own interests, learning to uncover the science behind how drugs are designed, how they interact with the body, and how chemistry helps treat disease.

Fourth year research project

You can choose from a range of medicinal and biological topics in chemistry for your research project during year four, depending on your interests or career aspirations. You will join one of our research groups to work on your project, and benefit from the active research and latest insight of these groups.

Careers and employability

The University of Nottingham is the third-most targeted university in the UK by leading employers (High Fliers' Graduate Market in 2025). A degree in chemistry will prepare you for a wide range of careers. You will develop the necessary academic and practical skills for a career in industry, whether that be in pharmaceutical, petrochemical, cosmetics or others. You will also develop your written and oral communication skills, and gain transferable skills such as problem-solving, numeracy and data analysis. A significant proportion of our students go onto postgraduate study.

Why choose this course?

• This course is accredited by the RSC. It fulfils the academic requirements for Chartered Chem (CChem).

• Choose from a range of optional modules that interest you

• Put theory into practice in our modern labs and facilities

• Flexibility to transfer between most chemistry degrees

• Benefit from small-group tutorials that support your learning

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Medicinal-and-Biological-Chemistry-MSci-Hons-U7UMDLBC.html