Subject area overview
What is the relevance of this subject to the ordinary person?
What approach is taken to this subject at Brighton?
Who teaches the subject matter?
What are the undergraduate options?
What are the postgraduate options?
See also details of our school's research and educational units
Chemistry is the science of matter (substances) and their associated changes. Chemistry is essential to understand of the behaviour of chemicals and their properties, as well has how they undergo reactions. Chemistry is all around us as everything is composed from chemicals. Drugs are examples of chemicals that are utilised to treat and prevent illness, and chemistry is needed to understand all aspects of their production. There are four branches of chemistry: organic, inorganic, physical and analytical. These areas of chemistry cover all elements of the periodic table, the reaction process of chemicals and the approaches to monitor and detect chemicals.
Pharmaceutical chemistry involves understanding all the processes that turn a chemical compound into the next big blockbuster drug to cure illness. This involves not only chemistry, but also pharmaceutics, pharmacology and regulation. Pharmaceutical chemists understand the process of designing, synthesising and developing pharmaceutical drugs from powders to products. They have an in-depth knowledge of the biological properties of a drug and the regulatory measures needed to bring new drugs to the market.
What approach is taken to this subject at Brighton?
The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences offers a range of courses which contain aspects of Chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. Our courses use traditional teaching methods coupled with extensive uses of new technology. All of our science based courses have extensive practical activities. As a result our students have a transferable and sustainable skill base to help them in their future careers.
Who teaches the subject matter?
The academic staff of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences is comprised of research scientists and Lecturers. 80% of the research output of the researchers was classified as ‘of International Standing’ in the UK Research Assessment Exercise, 2008. All courses are thus taught by enthusiastic, committed individuals with up-to-date, hands-on experience of their subject matter, and all research projects are guaranteed to be of relevance to future employers and of the quality suitable for publication in national or international scientific / medical journals. The members of this division engage regularly with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Royal Society of Chemistry with regards to accreditation and recognition of the courses, and members of the division act on Accreditation Panels and as External Examiners for courses at other Higher Education Institutes, both in the UK and in Ireland.
What are the undergraduate options?
NEW!
Chemistry BSc(Hons)
The knowledge and experience provided by our three-year Chemistry BSc(Hons) qualifies you for a wide variety of careers and further study in this important and exciting field.
NEW!
Chemistry MChem
Our uniquely structured four-year MChem programme will give you knowledge and skills that will equip you for research, or a career contributing to areas as diverse as archaeology and interplanetary exploration.
Pharmacy MPharm
The breadth of study on our Pharmacy degree prepares students for employment in any area of the pharmaceutical profession. Emphasis is placed on developing specialist drug experts who can liaise effectively between physician and patient. The MPharm qualification is the only UK degree acceptable for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences BSc(Hons)
Pharmaceutical and chemical sciences provides academic and professional training in chemical, pharmaceutical and analytical sciences. As you work through the course you will examine how these disciplines are used in the development, production and quality control of pharmaceutical and related products.
What are the postgraduate options?
Industrial Pharmaceutical Studies MSc (QP)
This programme is a 3-year distance-learning programme targeted at scientists employed within the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides tuition in those core aspects of pharmacology, microbiology, pharmaceutics, quality control and legislation necessary for the student to seek registration as a Qualified Person. Qualified Persons are the only individuals recognized as having the necessary knowledge and skills to ‘sign off’ medicines for release, distribution and marketing for use in humans. The first 2 years of the course consist of distance learning modules, with work packages, supported by three intensive study weeks per year held in Brighton. Satisfactory completion of the first two years of the course renders the student eligible for the award of a Post Graduate diploma and application to their professional body for registration as a Qualified Person. The third year of the programme, necessary for the award of MSc, consists of a research project undertaken at their place of work.
Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences MSc
This full-time, one-year MSc programme is aimed at graduates in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences or pharmacy who wish to pursue a career within the pharmaceutical industry in the area of medicines development and production. The programme covers aspects of formulation science, drug delivery, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutical analysis as well as drug discovery, pharmacology and therapeutics. The course culminates within an extensive research project conducted within one of the school’s active research groups.
