Methods in Pharmaceutical Research

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course consists of two parts:

Spectroscopy, 2 sp

Biochemical methodology, 1 sp

Spectroscopy:

This part entails spectroscopic techniques used in the analysis of organic compounds. Infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy will be discussed, while the main focus will be on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). Students will learn how to identify unknown compounds by using information from IR, UV, MS and NMR spectra.

Relevant pharmaceutical examples will be discussed.

Biochemical methodology:

Biochemical Methodology covers the theory behind and practical implementation of some basic techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry. The main focus is on purification of plasmids, transformation of these into competent bacteria, PCR, use of restriction enzymes, SDS-PAGE and western/spot blotting (recognition of native protein with antibody). The course also covers selected topics of applied bioinformatics (important databases for DNA and protein sequences, sequence alignments, sequence similarity searches, and homology modelling, including AlphaFold).

Learning Outcomes

Spectroscopy

Knowledge:
The student can

  • Explain/discuss the different spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/vis, NMR and MS) and interpret spectroscopic data from IR, UV/vis, NMR and MS either by themselves of combinations of these in order to determine the structures of organic compounds.

Biochemical methodology

Knowledge:
The student can

  • Master the basic priciple of the practical methods that are used in this course, be able to perform basic cloning techniques, PCR and to express recombinant protein in bacteria and to perform the SDS gel electrophoresis and Western / spot blot techniques. The student should be able to master basic molecular biological techniques in general and be able to carry out similar experiments
  • Know about important databases to find information about protein and DNA sequences
  • Master the basic priciple of the computational methods that are used in the course (searches for DNA and protein sequences in databases, sequence alignments, homology modelling)

ECTS Credits

3 ects

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge

Spectroscopy: FARM103, FARM110, FARM130, FARM131, FARM250, FARM150, FARM260, MAT101

Biochemical methodology: FARM150

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
Master Programme in Pharmacy
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

It is mandatory to be present and participate in the biochemical methodology part of the course, and to hand in an bioinformatics assignment that has been carried out as group work.


The biochemical methodology part must be passed in order to sit for the exam in Spectroscopy. Compulsory activity is valid for five semesters.

Forms of Assessment

Spectroscopy: Written exam (2.5 hours). The total time inlcudes uploading of files.

Permitted examination support materials, The textbook (Williams and Fleming: Spectroscopic methods in organic chemistry 6th Edition.). It is not allowed to have notes in the textbook, which can be used in the exam. Underlining of text, figures and tables in the textbook are allowed.

Grading Scale
Grading scale A-F is used.
Assessment Semester
Spring
Reading List
The reading list will be published by 01.12 for the Spring semester.
Course Evaluation
The students evaluate the teaching according to the Quality Assurance System at the University of Bergen
Programme Committee
Programme committee for Pharmacy
Course Administrator
Department of Clinical Science
Department
Department of Clinical Science