Studiegids

nl en

Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences: Drug Discovery and Safety

Master

Drug Discovery and Safety is a specialisation of the Master’s programme Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences of Leiden University. This specialisation offers scientific training on and hands-on experience with a range of state-of-the-art techniques, required for the discovery and characterization of novel drug targets and the synthesis and optimization of new drugs. Research Project 1 will be conducted at the division Drug Discovery & Safety of the LACDR on one of the research themes described below.

To effectively design new drugs, understanding the mechanism by which potential drug targets affect the development and progression of disease at the molecular level is essential. The division unravels these mechanisms, particularly in the area of (breast) cancer metastasis, drug resistance and drug safety. After screening of candidate drug targets using a ‘systems microscopy’ approach, promising targets are evaluated in clinically relevant models and patient material, in close collaboration with clinical centers.

The division is also working on the design, synthesis and evaluation of new compounds that modulate G protein-coupled receptor activity (GPCRs). Essential is that these compounds meet specific requirements that enable them to work effectively as medicinal agents. To this end, a ‘chemical biology’ approach is pursued in which synthetic chemistry, new developments in bio- and cheminformatics, biochemistry/molecular biology and pharmacology are combined. Finally, the interaction with their targets is modelled and evaluated at atomic resolution for a more rational approach of drug design.

Programme BPS research component

  • the Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences in the specialisation corresponding to the division at which Research Project 1 is performed (4 EC)

  • a research project of 51 EC in one of the research groups of the division Drug discovery and Safety, including 5 EC for a thesis and 2 EC for an oral presentation

  • one of the lecture series listed below (4 EC)

  • the course Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation (3 EC)

  • a Literature Study at one of the research groups (other than the research group of the RP1) of the LACDR

  • a research project 2 of 36 EC at a pharmaceutical company, research institute, medical centre or university (abroad), including 5EC for a thesis (a colloquium of 1 EC is optional and if done, part of the electives of 15 EC)

  • Electives of 15 EC total

  • First and Second Year
  • Meer info
  • Career Orientation
Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Mandatory courses:

Introduction Course 4
Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation 3
Literature Study 7

Research Project 1 at the division of Drug Discovery and Safety of the LACDR

Research Project 1 - Practical Work 44
Research Project 1 - Thesis 5
Research Project 1 - Oral Presentation 2

Research Project 2

Research Project 2 - Practical work 31
Research Project 2 - Thesis 5

The MSc programme of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences offers the following Lecture Series in the academic year 2020-2021 (one of these is mandatory):

Regulation of Drug Safety 4
Atherosclerosis 4
Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry 4
A Clinical Pharmacologist Approach to Combat a Viral Pandemic 4
Signal Transduction and Hallmarks of Cancer 4
Quantitative Pharmacology 4
Model organisms in cancer drug discovery and development 4
Drug Delivery 4
Blood-Brain Barrier: Drug Transport to the Brain 4
Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry for Metabolomics 4
Biophysics and Bioengineering for Pharmaceutical Sciences 4
Miniaturized Analytical Systems 4
Novel Concepts in Molecular Pharmacology 4
Pharmaceutical Outcome Research – Scientific key in the Life Cycle of Pharmaceutical Interventions 4

Optional courses in the academic year 2020-2021 (list is not restrictive):

Science Methodology (SCM) 4
Science and the public: contemporary and historical perspectives 6
Student assistantship bachelor research assignment 5
IP Law in Science 5
Research Project 2 - Oral presentation 1
Computational Techniques for Chemical Biology (CTCB) 6
Ethics in Quality Control Practices 1
Legislation of Production of Medicinal Products 1

Please Note

As of September 2018, the Course 'Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation' replaced the courses 'Attended Lectures and Colloquia', 'Scientific Conduct' and 1 EC of the 'Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences'.

If you started before September 2018 you need to pass the courses 'Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences' (5EC), 'Attended Lectures and Colloquia' (1EC) and 'Scientific Conduct' (1EC).

If you started in or after September 2018 (or you have made a individual program with the study advisor), you need to pass 'Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences' (4EC) and 'Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation' (3EC).

If you started in September 2021, you need to pass 'Introduction Course' (4EC) and 'Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation' (3EC).

Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences 4
Attended Lectures and Colloquia 1