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Unit outline_

MCHM3888: Medicinal Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

In this unit, you will adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to solve a real-world problem based around treating a disease relevant to our society, such as cancer, heart disease, infection or neurological conditions. You will apply your discipline expertise in medicinal chemistry to understand the challenge, then design potential solutions to the problem, and then work collaboratively with students in other disciplines (science, government, business, law, marketing, engineering) to consider solutions to the problem from a broader perspective and how these could positively impact on the community. This unit will allow you to understand the disease through stories of scientific endeavour that led to the discovery of first-generation drugs, then extend that knowledge through collecting and analysing data on new treatment solutions that can help you move towards designing innovative approaches. You will learn to work in interdisciplinary teams and communicate your findings to a broad audience. You will build key skills in problem solving, team work and written/oral communication that will equip you for many future research or professional pathways in one or more of: science, technology, health, business and public policy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Chemistry Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(CHEM2401 or CHEM2521 or CHEM2911 or CHEM2915 or CHEM2921 or CHEM2991) and [(PCOL2011 or PCOL2021 or MEDS2002) or (BMED2401 and {BMED2402 or BMED2405})]
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Christopher McErlean, christopher.mcerlean@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Discipline Specific Final exam
written exam
30% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Assignment Discipline Specific Project proposal
Essay
15% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Interdisciplinary Assessment Self and Peer Evaluation of Teamwork
assignment
10% Week 09
Due date: 09 Oct 2022 at 23:59
survey
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Interdisciplinary Assessment Final Project Presentation
group work
10% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2022 at 23:59
10 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Interdisciplinary Assessment Final Group Report
Scientific report
30% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2022 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Interdisciplinary Assessment Reflective Statement
essay
5% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2022 at 23:59
700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Discipline Specific Project Proposal

You need to provide a brief proposal of up to 1000 words (not including references) that outlines and justifies your group’s hypothesis/ question; a justified argument for your group’s proposed multi-disciplinary approach to solving the hypothesis/ question; and what your discipline can specifically offer to that solution. 

  • Discipline Specific Final Exam

You will provide mechanisms, products, and reagents to answer MHCM specific questions about beta-lactam syunthesis.

  • Interdisciplinary Final Project Presentation

The interdisciplinary group presentation is a communication exercise where you must outline your project in a way that is accessible to a generalist audience. Presentations should clearly articulate and contextualise the problem(s), describe the approach and justify validity, present outcomes, and discuss significance, opportunities, and limitations.

  • Interdisciplinary Final Project Scientific Report

This group report will draw together all the work done by your team on your interdisciplinary project. Your report will take the format of a scientific report, including the below sections. All group members should contribute equally to the production of this task.

  • Interdisciplinary Teamwork Evaluation

You are required to assess both yourself (self-evaluation) and your peers (peer evaluation) on group work skills as demonstrated throughout the project based on the following skillsets: Working as a team player; Organisation and time management skills; Collaborative skills; Interpersonal competence

  • Interdisciplinary Refelective Statement

this task will comprise a summary reflective statement where you evidence, through a process of reflection, how you have developed and exhibited two of four graduate qualities (graduate qualities 6-9, listed below, you may choose which two you address; please note that you cannot use the same graduate quality you used in your final reflective practice quiz). The evidence you provide as to your development of these skill sets should come from your own personal experiences of working in this project-based interdisciplinary unit. These four graduate qualities have been chosen specifically as they are critical to your employability and well placed for development in an interdisciplinary project-based capstone such as the 3888 units.

Assessment criteria

 

Result name Mark range Description
High distinction 85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school

Distinction 75 - 84 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit 65 - 74 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass 50 - 64 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail 0 - 49 When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to MCHM3888, as part of larger project including INFD, pragmatic overview of semester. Online class (1 hr) LO2
Intro to disciplines and interdisciplinary work. Introduce problem and groups. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Independent Lit searching/ reading- broad issue. Zoom drop-in sessions Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 02 Antibiotics mode of action, beta-lactam antibiotics and targets. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Critical reading and introduction writing workshop- separate disciplines. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Independent Lit searching- broad issue/ problem. Zoom drop-in sessions Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 03 Available beta-lactams, syntheses, receptor pockets, PDB data. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Present journal club based on week 2 session. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 LO7
Independent Lit searching- discipline’s role and approaches. Zoom drop-in sessions Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 04 Rational design of beta-lactam antibiotics. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Groups present critique of literature and proposed project approaches- all together. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Synthesis in lab Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Synthetic approaches to beta-lactams. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Planning for lab prac project work 1 (in groups) Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
purification in lab Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Industrial synthesis. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Planning for lab prac project work 2 (in groups) Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
compound characterisation in lab Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Purification. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Groups present plan for Zoom lab prac 1 - all together Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7
Molecular modelling (online) Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Testing of antibiotics (small scale, HTS, genetic and metabolic profiling of pathogen). Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Groups present outcomes of Lab 1 and plans for Zoom lab prac 2 - all together Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7
Molecular modelling (online) Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 AI design of novel antibiotics. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Groups present outcomes of lab 2 and plans for Zoom lab prac 3- all together Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7
Molecular modelling (online) Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Precursor directed biosynthesis and mutasynthesis. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Integration of results- online tute groups - in groups Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Independent/ group work on report. Zoom drop-in sessions Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Revision of antibiotic design and synthesis. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Groups present integrated results for peer feedback- all together Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Independent/ group work on report. Zoom drop-in sessions Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Summation of UoS- Therapeutic drug resistance and disease investigation- revisited/ reflection. Recap of key learning outcomes, expectations of MCHM3888 final exam. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Formal final presentation of interdisc project as seminars - all together Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Final Independent/ group work on report. Zoom drop-in sessions Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 No lecture- optional live drop in session Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Formal final presentation of interdisc project as seminars - all together Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Summary of skills learned Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context
  • LO2. Find, define and delimit authentic problems in order to address them
  • LO3. Create an investigative strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes
  • LO4. Analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills
  • LO5. Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams
  • LO6. Collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solutions to the project problem
  • LO7. Communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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