Outline

Overview

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	Michael Kassiou, michael.kassiou@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Discipline Specific Final exam written exam	30%	Formal exam period	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Discipline Specific Project proposal Project Introduction	15%	Week 06 Due date: 14 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Sep 2025	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Interdisciplinary Assessment Self and Peer Evaluation of Teamwork Self and Peer evaluation on group work skills as demonstrated throughout the project	5%	Week 10 Due date: 19 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 Oct 2025	15 min	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Interdisciplinary Assessment Final Project Presentation Oral presentation	15%	Week 12 Due date: 30 Oct 2025 at 11:00 Closing date: 30 Oct 2025	15 minute presentation + question time	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Interdisciplinary Assessment Final Group Report Scientific report.	30%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Nov 2025	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Interdisciplinary Assessment Reflective Statement Written reflective statement	5%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Nov 2025	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

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 be examined on all lecture content

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Project Proposal (Week 6), Teamwork Evaluation (Week 10), Reflective Statement (Week 13), Final Project Report (Week 13): A penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work for every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date. A mark of zero will be awarded for work submitted more than 10 calendar days after the due date. Oral presentation (Week 12): No mark will be awarded if the oral presentation is not given on the specified dates. Also, if an individual group member does not present orally with other members, the group member who did not present will not get a mark. Exam: If you don't sit the exam for reasons of illness or misadventure, a valid special consideration submission is required for sitting the replacement exam.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to MCHM3888, as part of larger project including INFD, pragmatic overview of semester.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Intro to disciplines and interdisciplinary work. Introduce problem and groups.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Antibiotics mode of action, beta-lactam antibiotics and targets.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Critical reading and introduction writing workshop- separate disciplines.	Workshop (2 hr)
	Project work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	Available beta-lactams, syntheses, receptor pockets, PDB data.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Present journal club based on week 2 session.	Workshop (2 hr)
	Project work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Rational design of beta-lactam antibiotics.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (2 hr)
	Synthesis in lab	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Synthetic approaches to beta-lactams.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (2 hr)
	purification in lab	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Industrial synthesis.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (2 hr)
	compound characterisation in lab	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Purification.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (2 hr)
	Molecular modelling	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Degraders for bacterial toxins JOINT with INFD3888	Lecture (1 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (2 hr)
	Independent/ group work on report. Drop-in sessions	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Surface active antibiotics	Lecture (1 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (2 hr)
	Independent/ group work on report. Drop-in sessions	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	AI design of novel antibiotics.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (2 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	New Drug Approval & Manufacturing JOINT with INFD3888	Lecture (1 hr)
	PRACTICE PRESENTATION	Workshop (2 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	anti-virulence drugs JOINT with INFD3888	Lecture (1 hr)
	Formal final presentation of interdisc project as seminars - all together	Workshop (2 hr)
	Project Work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Summation of UoS- Therapeutic drug resistance and disease investigation- revisited/ reflection. Recap of key learning outcomes, expectations of MCHM3888 final exam.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Recap and final comments/questions on completing your Project Report	Workshop (2 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Assessment weighting has been modified to better reflect the time required to complete these tasks

Disclaimer

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

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MCHM3888: Medicinal Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links