CHEM 481Biomolecular Modelling: Principles, Practices, and Applications in Drug Design
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Science
- Subject
- Chemistry
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course offers an in-depth exploration of molecular modelling techniques and their applications in biochemistry, drug discovery, and design. Students will gain hands-on experience with computational methods for biomolecular structure analysis, molecular recognition, and therapeutic candidate design. Key topics include three-dimensional structure visualization, protein structure prediction, molecular dynamics simulations, and computer-aided drug design strategies, covering structure-based, ligand-based, and fragment-based approaches. Practical sessions and real-world case studies will complement theoretical concepts, highlighting their importance in biochemical and pharmaceutical research and development.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7304 | 14 / 20 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
4 posts and comments in 3 threads mention CHEM 481, July 2021 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2024
Program Electives 3 points, 0 comments
u/Luvvul1234: “… CHEM 404 - Physicochemical Aspects of Natural Waters CHEM 400 - Miniaturization and Nanoscience/Nanotechnology to Artificial Intelligence in Analytical Chemistry CHEM 481 - Rational Drug Design CHEM 432 - Metabolism 2 Do they involve a lot of orgo? …”
Winter 2022
CHEM 481 1 point, 1 comment
u/Nice_Raccoon_4753: “How is 481? what is the course outline like? I don't have the 360 prereq. do u think it can be overridden?”
Spring 2021
Chem 481 or chem 404? 1 point, 7 comments
u/sarahpharaon: “for anyone who has taken 400 level chemistry courses, which ones were more manageable? I was considering taking chem 404 but after I heard a lot of people found it hard I’m thinking about chem 418 now. …”
u/uwaterbottle: “CHEM 481 is an interesting course! I took part in developing the video tutorials for all the drug discovery software. It's kind of an infodump in terms of lecture content but the software/methods you learn are super useful. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them