External summary

Many biological processes are governed by molecular interactions and the purpose of this programme is to give students the skills to model these interactions and understand the processes and tools used in the experimental study of these interactions. We also place these processes in the context of commercial drug discovery to show the economic forces acting on the discovery process.

The availability of high resolution crystal structures of protein ligand complexes has allowed the creation of high quality models that can be used to discover new chemical entities that interact with the protein and optimise already know lead compounds. This course is designed to teach the skills required for creation and manipulation of these models, and also the associated techniques required for the production of structural results and experimental determination of ligand binding kinetic data.

The MSc is embedded in the Centre of Translational and Chemical Biology (CTCB), an interdisciplinary research centre at the University of Edinburgh, and also draws heavily on the resources of the Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (IQB3)) within the School of Biological Sciences. This gives the students access to the wide range of structural and biophysical instruments within these two groups and allows them to take part in the research programmes run within these units.

Programme Aims

• To provide postgraduate level education in structure based drug design and the biophysical aspects of macromolecule/small molecule interactions
• To train students in the use of molecular modelling tools and databases to allow them to produce models that facilitate the understanding of macromolecular interactions
• To prepare students for research and employment in the pharmaceutical industries and for further study in the areas of molecular structure and interaction. This would include a period of research based study (the research project) that allows the student to use the theoretical and practical skills from the taught programme and demonstrate their ability to integrate these with experimental work.

Educational aims of programme

To offer training in the practical skills required for structure based drug discovery and the theoretical background that underlies these techniques. We also show how the processes used sit within a commercial context.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

• An understanding of general concepts macromolecule interactions.
• An understanding of protein production and purification techniques for drug discovery
• A solid grounding in the mathematics that underpin the methods used
• A working knowledge the methods and tools used in molecular modelling.
• Knowledge of the experimental techniques that support the study of macromolecule interactions.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

• Interpretation of scientific papers
• Critical analysis and synthesis of scientific information
• Ability to conduct independent research
• Ability to place findings in context and suggest new research ideas
• Execution and writing up an independent research project
• Reporting of research data in formats suitable for publication

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

• Interpretation of scientific knowledge
• Application of fundamental knowledge of molecular interactions to the design of new compounds or the improvement of existing ones.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

• Written and verbal skills at postgraduate level
• Presentation skills

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

• Project planning including time management and preparation of a dissertation

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

• Identification of appropriate computational Molecular modelling tools required for a particular problem
• Practical experience of protein/ligand assay techniques, high quality protein production and protein structure determination
• General IT skills including data retrieval and the use web tools and databases
• Computing skills and experience of a variety of software packages

Programme structure and features

Programme Structure

Students take 120 credits of taught courses from September - May, followed by a 60 credit research project/dissertation from May – August. A full list of courses can be found below.

Taught Stage (120 credits)

COMPULSORY COURSES

Students must take all 80 credits of the following compulsory courses:

OPTIONAL COURSES

Students must select exactly 40 credits from the following list of optional courses:

Students on the full MSc degree must then do the research project and dissertation, worth 60 credits, from May to August.

Dissertation Stage (60 credits)

Progression Requirements

Students who gain >=50% overall and >=50% in at least 80 of the 120 credits in the final overall assessment of the taught stage at the end of May can proceed to the dissertation stage, and carry out a full-time research project from June – August.

Students who gain >=40% overall and >=40% in at least 80 of the 120 credits in the final overall assessment who do not qualify to proceed will be awarded the Diploma and leave in June.

Assessment

Assessment for the taught stage is by written examinations, in-course assignments and project work. The assessment split for the taught stage is as follows:

1. written examination papers (open and closed-book)                        approximately 10% of total*
2. in-course assessment                                                                  approximately 90% of total*

*depending on options chosen

Students who proceed to the dissertation stage carry out a full-time research project from May to August, which is assessed by a 12-15,000 word written dissertation.

Modes of Study

The course is offered on a 1 Year full time. A variety of teaching methods are used including lectures, tutorials, computer-based and experimental practical sessions. The final stage of the course is a research project undertaken with a research group. This can be doing laboratory experimental work or building computational models 

Exit Awards

To be awarded the MSc, students must successfully complete both the taught and dissertation stages.  Students may elect to exit at the end of the taught stage with the award of Diploma. Both the MSc and the Diploma may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims.  The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the programme.

Teaching and Learning Activities include:

Lectures

Computer based practicals

Workshops

Presentations

Laboratories

Industrial Visits

Tutorials

Seminars

Discussion Groups/Project Groups

Problem based learning activities

Examples: Students attend problem based tutorial sessions, one to one meetings with personal tutor/programme director, project work in a research laboratory; students carry out their own research at the frontier of knowledge and can make a genuine contribution to the progress of original research.  This also involves reviewing relevant papers, analysing data, writing a report and giving a presentation.

Flexible Learning Week
The University of Edinburgh Flexible Learning Week is scheduled in Week 6 of Semester 2. During this week ‘normal’ teaching is suspended which provides space outwith the curriculum for staff and students to explore new learning activities. Some examples of the types of activities held in Biological Sciences were workshops, peer assisted learning activities, public engagement activities, careers events and field trips.

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses are assessed by a diverse range of methods and it often takes the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

Essays; students are provided with written feedback

Assessed Problems; students are provided with written feedback

Oral Presentations; feedback is provided by peers and staff

On-line Tests; on-line feedback with explanations

Written Degree Examinations; students have the opportunity to meet with course organisers to view their examination scripts.

Multiple Choice Tests

Project Reports and Presentations; students are provided with written feedback.

Career opportunities

Drug Discovery graduates have a wide range of career options and are recruited by companies in the pharm sector, but also by consulting companies and those organisations requiring personnel with laboratory or computer modelling skill.

Drug Discovery graduate employers can range from small businesses (e.g. family run pharmaceutical production business), through small and medium enterprises (e.g. biotech start-up), to major multinational companies.

Equally this qualification is great preparation for further research at PhD level and a number of our current students plan to continue their studies after graduation.

Other items

The MSc in Drug Discovery & Translational Biology is one of eight campus-based and 2 online distance learning taught masters programmes offered by the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

The Programme Director also takes on the role of Personal Tutor and therefore is responsible for academic and pastoral guidance for all students on the programme.  Throughout a student’s time at the university the Programme Director guides the student in the choice of courses and provides general support.

Courses are administered and run through Teaching Organisations. These produce detailed course guides for new students. These guides provide details of courses and also advise students on assessment and general university policy and regulations.

The Degree Programme Tables (DPT) for the Drug Discovery programme can be found at:

http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/index.php