BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, an undergraduate degree combining chemistry, biology and pharmacology to explore the development of new treatments for diseases. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students can optionally complete a year abroad. The first year covers core bioscience and chemistry concepts through compulsory modules such as Core Skills in the Life Sciences 1A, The Building Blocks of Life, Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, Core Skills in the Life Sciences 1B, and Building the Organism, with optional choices in numeracy and science communication. The second year advances into experimental design and organic chemistry via Statistics and Experimental Design, Cellular Communication, Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences, Core Skills in the Life Sciences 2A, Human Physiology and Pharmacology, and Biomolecular Mechanisms, alongside options in programming and anatomy. The third year includes an industry placement alongside compulsory study in Genome Biology, Research Skills 3A, Cell Biology, Research Skills 3B, Modern Drug Discovery Fundamentals, and Synthesis for Drug Discovery, with optional modules covering molecular microbiology, cell signalling and immunology. The final year centres on independent research through the Capstone Project: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, supported by optional advanced topics including bioinformatics, stem cells, machine learning, parasitology and chemical biology.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: CCC (Essential subjects: Biology or Chemistry, plus equivalent of GCSE Mathematics) IB: 28 points, including 5, 5, 4 at higher level Essential subjects: Biology or Chemistry at Higher Level plus Standard Level Chemistry at 4, Biology at 4, and Mathematics at 5 Higher / Advanced Higher, SQA (standard): BBCC (Essential subjects: Higher Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry plus National 5 Chemistry at C, Biology at C, and Mathematics at C).
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 100%: 28 offers from 28 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 98%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 30%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 30%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 5%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 1%
- Scotland: 82%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Recognised by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of associate membership.
Modules
- Core Skills in the Life Sciences 1A
- The Building Blocks of Life
- Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
- Core Skills in the Life Sciences 1B
- Building the Organism
- Numeracy, Chemistry and Physics for the Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Science and Society
- Statistics and Experimental Design
- Cellular Communication
- Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences
- Core Skills in the Life Sciences 2A
- Human Physiology and Pharmacology
- Biomolecular Mechanisms
- Core Skills in the Life Sciences 2B
- Introductory Programming for Life Sciences
- Introductory Anatomy
- Life Sciences Placement
- Genome Biology
- Research Skills 3A
- Cell Biology
- Research Skills 3B
- Modern Drug Discovery Fundamentals
- Synthesis for Drug Discovery
- Molecular Microbiology
- Cell Signalling
- Immunology
- Capstone Project: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Advanced Bioinformatics
- Stem Cells in Development and Disease
- Machine Learning in Biology
- Advanced Modern Drug Discovery
- Parasitology
- Chemical Biology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £38,500. The £31,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry.
What do graduates of BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee?
The typical offer is CCC at A level, or 28 points in the IB. The average entrant had 182 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee?
100% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 28 offers from 28 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee accredited?
Yes. Recognised by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of associate membership.
Does BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at University of Dundee?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.