Assessment

The course assessment consists of an end of course report worth 50% of the mark and in-course Professional Development work worth 50% of the mark.

(1) Perform a Virtual High Throughput Screen of Your Target (50%)

Your task is to perform a structure- and ligand-based virtual screen using your choice of SARS-CoV-2 target. Rank the virtual compounds in order according to appropriate scoring algorithms. Reprioritise the top 100 compounds from each of the two ranked lists of virtual hits that result from these screens using Stardrop. Summarise your methodology (and your reasoning behind it) and results in a 1000-word (excluding figure legends, tables, references etc.) Word '.doc' report that includes the top 10 compounds from each of the two virtual screening methods and discusses their relative merits. Also provide a Pymol '.pse' file containing these compounds docked into the pocket of your target structure and refer to this in your Word report to aid you in your description of the protein-ligand interactions.

(2) Professional Development (50%)

1) Self-Assess and provide evidence for the three items in Graduate Attributes [10%]

In contrast to previous courses you should choose graduate attributes that you feel are most relevant to your current learning. If you choose attributes that you have discussed in previous sessions, then add details of how you feel you have changed since the last time you discussed these attributes Remember to include evidence.

2) Reflect on difficulties you have had with learning Unix [20%]

In your Webfolio, reflect on the difficulties you have had in learning Unix and on how you made progress. What was most helpful - and most efficient use of your time? Again make reference to your blog. Look back over previous courses. Were there other aspects that you had difficulty with? Were there any similarities or differences in how you coped?

3) Reflection in the WebFolio supported by timely blog entries [20%]

At the end of this course, you will now have experienced two of the main techniques (including Molecular Modelling) that you will use in your research project next year. In your Webfolio, write about how the two subjects go together in drug discovery, and assess yourself about your own competency, backing up what you say with reference to your blog. You may want to add an action plan, linked from the Webfolio, to address any discrepancy between where you are and where you would like to be.

Deadlines

The deadline for the Assessed Report is Monday 18th May 16:00 (BST) 2020.

The deadline for the PebblePad Graduate Attributes, Webfolio and Blogs is Thursday 21st May 16:00 (BST) 2020.

Note that, as always, work can be submitted before a deadline and you should not expect to be working right up to the deadline.

Penalties

For each working day over the deadline, 5 marks will be deducted from the total percentage. After 5 days, zero marks will be returned.

Extensions

In the event that some event prevents you from working on the course you are entitled to apply for an deadline extension of up to 7 days. These can only be requested before the deadline. Advice and information on how to submit an deadline extension request can be found here https://www.wiki.ed.ac.uk/display/SBSUndergraduateIntranet/BTO+Student+Support

Special Circumstances

If you have a circumstance that stops you submitting if may be possible to have the deadline extended by up to 7 days. Please consult with your personal tutor if you feel you have a case for this. If you are ill or suffer a life event such that you can't submit on time, you must contact the Programme Director to arrange a Special Circumstances form to be lodged. This must be notified near the time of submission (Circumstances noted after the results are released will not be considered). Circumstances need documentary evidence to back them up. In case of illness this would normally be a doctor's letter written on headed note-paper with a contact address.

All cases of Special Circumstances will be considered at the exam board. Note that there are no "resit" examinations at Master's level.