From recipe to research: introducing undergraduate students to the nature of science using a hybrid practical course centred on drug discovery for neglected diseases.

Abstract A hybrid practical course in synthetic medicinal chemistry was designed for second-year undergraduate students. The first half focused on techniques and skills, while the second half addressed a drug discovery setting in a research project on neglected diseases. A daily interactive plenary session allowed for thorough discussions among the students. Over four years, 187 students participated, and 68 pure compounds (many of which novel) were isolated and biologically tested. Evaluations by students and teachers were positive. The success of the hybrid practical course demonstrates how undergraduate students can be meaningfully engaged in the nature of science through a drug discovery project.