Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This is an advanced course in organic chemistry emphasizing the chemistry of low molecular weight bioactive molecules, including natural products, their biological mechanisms of action, ADME properties, and general aspects of drug design. The course deals with the organic chemistry of important drug classes and bioactive natural substances. Synthesis/biosynthesis, mechanism of action, bioavailability, and stability for selected classes of drugs are discussed. The course is suitable for master's students in organic chemistry and related areas.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, you:

  • can recognize the important classes of low molecular weight natural products and are able to describe their biosynthetic pathways
  • are familiar with general aspects of drug design
  • understand and are able to explain how drugs can exert their activity by interaction with receptors and enzymes
  • understand and are able to explain the important pathways for the metabolism of xenobiotics
  • know the important classes of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral drugs and understand their mechanisms of action
  • know the important classes of anticancer drugs and understand their mechanisms of action

Admission to the course

Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

KJM3200 – Organic Chemistry II and partty KJM1140 – Biochemistry 1 for Chemists or BIOS1130 – Biokjemi 1

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The teaching includes:

  • 20 hours of lectures
  • 10 hours of group exercises

Attendance at the first lecture is mandatory. You will lose your place in the course if you do not inform the student administration at the Department of Chemistry before the first lecture starts.

Within August 10th / January 10th, international students must inform the Department of Chemistry if English teaching is requested.

Examination

  • Final oral exam, which counts 100 % towards the final grade.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: KJM9230 – Bioactive Molecules (discontinued)

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed exam at the beginning of the next semester.

New examinations are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.

We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 4:30:34 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Autumn

The course is given every fourth semester.

Teaching may be canceled if less than 5 students apply for the course

The course is last held autumn 2024

Examination
Autumn .

Examination is last held autumn 2026

Contact

Department of Chemistry