Compilation, Validation and Evaluation of a 2D/3D Molecular Database as an Adjunct to Didactic Teaching Modalities Sultana G., Shoemake C., Camilleri L. University of Malta, Malta Abstract Medicinal chemistry is considered an essential component of educational preparation for the pharmacy profession. Effective explanation and comprehension of chemical concepts requires considerable effort due to the intrinsically abstract nature of key principles. The inclusion of two and three dimensional visual adjuncts to traditional lecturing methods provides an innovative and student-inclusive approach towards optimisation of chemistry related education. A molecular database was created that featured therapeutic, physicochemical and visual information of drugs used in infection, musculoskeletal and endocrine disorders. Visuals created include two and three dimensional graphical representations of all the drugs included as well as three dimensional graphics of the drug interacting with its cognate receptor where possible. Expert panel validated pre- and post- intervention questionnaires were then used to evaluate the impact and utility of the two and three dimensional molecular database of therapeutically relevant drugs amongst undergraduate pharmaceutical science students at the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta. The intervention lecture incorporated both traditional teaching and use of the visual adjuncts using case based approaches. The results of paired samples t-tests, the Friedman test and the Mann- Whitney statistical tests show statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05 level of significance in all cases) in both student performance and student mentality towards the subject. 1. Introduction Medicinal chemistry is a scientific discipline which combines principles from applied sciences, particularly in the field of medicine, and basic sciences where established chemistry conventions are fundamental. Medicinal chemistry is considered a vital facet towards undergraduate training in the pharmaceutical field. It is considered the point of intersection between synthetic chemistry and molecular pharmacology that emphasises the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of drug molecules. Through a clear understanding of the subject matter, pharmacy students acquire the basic knowledge required to derive conclusions about a drug’s activity within a biological context from molecular structure. This information can then be extrapolated to the understanding of drugs‟ mechanisms of action, and principles relating to absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity of the drug (ADMETox profile) all of which are important aspects in drug design endeavours [1]. Students who understand these concepts acquire commensurate proficiency in rationally arriving at safe decisions regarding drug selection in clinical and often critical scenarios. Chemical expertise in the mode of action and in vivo disposition of therapeutic molecules singles out pharmacists from other health care professionals. Medicinal chemistry is therefore one of the modules which characterises pharmacists and instills the skills required for competence in the discipline [1]. Chemistry as an area of study is frequently associated with low student performance and enthusiasm. The majority of students follow chemistry courses at undergraduate level as part of obligate credits leading to a qualification in their future professional field. Chemistry is based on abstract concepts which require concentration, time and determination to comprehend; this augments the difficulty associated with the subject. The subject matter should be presented in a visually engaging manner and the main role of educators is therefore to transmit the relevance of undergraduate chemistry modules while clearly portraying abstract concepts by venturing into different teaching methods [2]. 2. Background The provision of visual aids to students in order to enhance appreciation of abstract information and improve education outcomes is not an entirely novel concept. Inclusion of visuals offers several advantages to both students and educators. Wileman highlights the following advantages; visuals offer transmission of a larger amount of information over written explanations in the same amount of space, simplification of complicated theories, clarification of abstract, language based concepts, offer organisation of information in the though formation process and most importantly research suggests that Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal (LICEJ), Volume 8, Issue 2, June 2017 Copyright © 2017, Infonomics Society 2553