FRM4030 – Research Preparation course in Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry

Course content

This course teaches the theory and practical use of biological and chemical methods in pharmaceutical research. This includes: isolation, structure elucidation, synthesis and bioassays. This is highly relevant for students who are going to use such techniques while working on their Master’s thesis. The course is a continuation of the courses in pharmacognosy and medicinal chemistry from the first part of the pharmacy curriculum. By the end of the course, the students should be able to isolate compounds from natural sources, synthesize, purify and identify pharmaceutical products as well as perform simple bioassays.

Learning outcome

This course will focus on the theory and practical application of isolation and synthetic methods, chromatography, spectroscopy and bioassays. The application of these methods will be demonstrated with examples from pharmacognosy and medicinal chemistry.

Admission to the course

The course is primarily open to students who have been admitted to the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Oslo. If there is space available then others may also apply to take the course as long as their academic background is adequate.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The course is only available to students who have passed their required pharmacy practice period and have passed all previous pharmacy courses or have the equivalent in medicine chemistry and pharmacognosy and the compulsory HSE courses required for students at the 5-year Master`s Program in Pharmacy.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The course is taught with a combination of lectures, seminars, study groups, compulsory practical laboratory work and self-study. There are also compulsory presentations and reports that must be turned in as well. The laboratory work, presentations, and reports must document that the student has acquired the expected knowledge and skills.

Inactivity and / or excessive absences in compulsory education means that the student does not receive final assessment / examination.

As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

There is no exam. The course may be passed based on the compulsory laboratory work and approved reports and presentations.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:

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 5:53:37 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
5
Teaching
Spring

The course is last held spring 2020

Examination
Spring .

Examination is last held spring 2020

Teaching language
Norwegian

Contact

Department of Pharmacy