Director of Education and Reader In Pharma And Medicinal Chemistry
Students collaborate to design a poster which communicates the contribution and impact of a Nobel laureate to the fields of medicinal, biological and pharmaceutical chemistry, highlighting the work of ethnic minority and other underrepresented scientists. This is an opportunity for students to explore topics beyond the curriculum and evaluate the impact that this work has had on modern day drug discovery, as well as allowing students to develop their soft skills.
The poster assessment was introduced several years ago into module CHE206A – Pharmaceutical Chemistry as an opportunity for students to explore topics beyond the curriculum and evaluate the impact that this work has had on modern day drug discovery.
Students are required to design a poster that highlights the work of a chosen Nobel laureate. Students are encouraged to consider the impact that person's work has had on the field, which can include their impact as positive role models as well as the scientific contribution. A separate tab appears on our virtual learning envioronment (QMPlus) which highlight those posters who focus on the work of an ethic minority or underrepresented scientist. For example, in 2020, we had 5 posters highlighting the work of Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier for CRISPR Discovery as well as the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine which was awarded to Professor Youyou Tu for her key contributions to the discovery of artemisinin.
Students work in groups nominating a chair and a scribe and complete the project over a 10 week period. They must keep detailed notes of meetings and design processes. There are a number of feedback opportunities throughout the assessment where students can submit their work and have an academic offer constructive criticism and feedback. The assessment allows students to develop their soft skills – communication, presentation, creativity, leadership and time management.
A separate tab appears on our virtual learning envioronment (QMPlus) which highlight those posters who focus on the work of an ethic minority or underrepresented scientist. For example, in 2020, we had 5 posters highlighting the work of Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier for CRISPR Discovery as well as the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine which was awarded to Professor Youyou Tu for her key contributions to the discovery of artemisinin.
Although initially designed so that a wider curriculum could be explored by students, the assessment however also had wider implications. By encouraging students to really explore the Nobel laureates, the work of underrepresented scientists has been highlighted in this module. We encourage students to consider not only the scientific contribution that the person may have had but also their impact as a role model.We have a separate tab on the virtual learning environment (QMPlus) that highlights these posters so that students can see each other’s work and be inspired by the diverse range of roles models and topics that are chosen.The average mark for the assessment is 75%. Part of the assessment also includes a peer evaluation mark. Students regularly comment that they enjoy the assessment as it allows them to explore a topic or scientist that they are interested in and highlight this to the rest of the class.