medicinal chemistry phd programs rankings

Best Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry colleges in the U.S. 2024

Best medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry colleges in the u.s. for 2024.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers 3 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city.

University of Illinois Chicago offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 2 Doctoral degrees.

University of Rhode Island offers 1 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large suburb.

University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 1 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 1 Doctoral degree.

Duquesne University offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 3 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 2 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Master's degree.

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 10 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 6 Doctoral degrees, and 4 Master's degrees.

Saint Louis University offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 14 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 12 Bachelor's degrees, and 2 Master's degrees.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 6 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 4 Doctoral degrees, and 2 Master's degrees.

University at Buffalo offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 7 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 4 Doctoral degrees, and 3 Master's degrees.

Ohio State University-Main Campus offers 2 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 33 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry students graduated with students earning 19 Master's degrees, and 14 Doctoral degrees.

Find local colleges with Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry majors in the U.S.

List of all medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry colleges in the u.s..

Best Chemistry Programs

Ranked in 2023, part of Best Science Schools

With a graduate degree in chemistry, scientists may find

With a graduate degree in chemistry, scientists may find jobs in laboratories, government agencies, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, colleges and universities, and more. These are the best chemistry schools. Each school's score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read the methodology »

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Graduate Program

Ph.d. in medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology.

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (MCMP) is one of the top-rated programs in the country and is unique because it combines both medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology. Students in our PhD program will be trained in an environment that combines chemical and biological approaches, which is essential for translating basic discoveries into novel therapeutics. The scientific approaches taken by students and over 25 faculty in MCMP includes medicinal chemistry and chemical biology, cell and molecular biology, molecular pharmacology, biophysical and computational chemistry, systems biology, functional and pharmacogenomics. Biomedical research topics covered in MCMP can be broadly grouped in three general areas: cancer biology, neuroscience, and infectious diseases.

Our Ph.D. program is fully committed to excellence and innovation in the education of Ph.D. students. We are an inclusive and supportive environment, filled with energetic and creative students, fellows, faculty, and staff. Explore our faculty pages and contact us if you are interested in graduate studies and our Ph.D. program.

The MCMP Graduate Program

• Multidisciplinary Drug Discovery
• Molecular Pharmacology
• Biophysical and Computational Chemistry
• Functional Genomics and Pharmacogenomics
• Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology
• Structural Biology
• Systems Biology
• #7 Pharmacy and #5 Most innovative - US News & World report 2020
• Top 10 Pharmacology in USA - QS rankings 2019
• Top 10 US Public University - The Wall Street Journal, 2020
• 5 consecutive years of Purdue University record research funding
• #13 Worldwide for US Patents - National Academy of Inventors, 2020

We have a world-class reputation for equipping young investigators with the skills andknowledge needed to be successful researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences. Graduate students play an integral role in accomplishing our research mission, and the rich scientific environment that exists in the department can be largely attributed to the outstanding quality of students admitted to the Ph.D. program. Indeed, a number of graduate students in the department have received extramural awards from agencies such as NIH, NSF, and the PhRMA Foundation.

Only students seeking a Ph.D. are admitted to the MCMP graduate program. Two-thirds of the graduate students in MCMP are admitted directly to the departmental graduate program, whereas the other third choose MCMP as their academic home after having entered graduate school through campus interdisciplinary training programs. There are currently over 80 graduate students enrolled in the department, the vast majority of whom are engaged in studies leading to the Ph.D. degree. The presence of approximately 30 postdoctoral associates and other research staff professionals further enriches the intellectual atmosphere.

Information on the Program

• Tabular time line of the program
• Policies and Regulations
• Detailed information on the application and admission processes
• Graduate students in the department are fully supported through various mechanisms including fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. Further information on financing is available.

Graduate Program Information from the College of Pharmacy and the University

• Policies and Regulations Manual for Graduate Programs
• Graduate Pharmacy Programs - Useful information about graduate study in the College
• Graduate Pharmacy Program Admissions - Useful information and FAQ about admissions and application for graduate programs in the College

Need more information? Feel free to call us at 765-494-1362 or send an inquiry to [email protected] .

PhD Program: Medicinal Chemistry

About the track.

The medicinal chemistry track encompasses drug discovery and prepares you with the means to study the behavior of chemical substances at the molecular level.

• You will use computational, biochemical and cell-based screening technologies to identify natural and synthetic compounds with pharmacological activity.
• You will study structure-activity relationships to understand the mechanisms of drug action.
• Your research will be directed towards the identification, synthesis and development of new chemical molecules suitable for biological studies and eventually therapeutic use.

Download our brochure

Faculty Associated with this Track

• Donna Huryn, PhD
• Paul Johnston, PhD
• Velvet Journigan, PhD
• Jaden Jun, PhD
• Terance McGuire, PhD
• Peter Wipf, PhD
• Xiangqun Xie, PhD, MBA
• Wei Zhang, PhD

Download the competency requirements for a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Primary Contact

Xiangqun (Sean) Xie , PhD, MBA Professor 206 Salk Pavilion 412-383-5276 [email protected]

Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, phd, journal club participation, colloquium attendance, internship requirements and regulations for department of pharmaceutical sciences, qualifying examination, doctoral candidacy status, doctoral dissertation committee, dissertation proposal defense, registration for dissertation, publications and presentations, phd dissertation preparation, pharmaceutical sciences colloquium, sopps professional code of conduct .

The PhD Program in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery educates and trains students in the design and synthesis of novel, biologically active compounds and in delineating their mechanisms of action using biochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological approaches. Research specializations are available in synthetic, biochemical/pharmacological, and biophysical aspects of medicinal chemistry. Doctoral research in these specializations will relate to faculty areas of research, which currently include substance use disorders and addiction; neuropathic pain; obesity and metabolic disorders; neuropsychiatric disorders (psychoses, ADHD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders); and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences sponsors weekly journal clubs, Pharmaceutical Science Seminar ( PHSC 6300 ) , at which students present and evaluate current scientific literature in their fields of study. Students must attend one of these journal clubs (Pharmaceutics & Drug Delivery Journal Club, Pharmacology Journal Club, or Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery Journal Club), chosen in consultation with their advisors.

Attendance at one of these journal clubs is required each and every academic semester, as an integral part of the PhD curriculum, with the exception of the last year (year four) in the program. All PhD students must participate full-time in journal club for course credit, Pharmaceutical Science Seminar ( PHSC 6300 ) , for six semesters. Failure to attend journal club regularly may result in sanctions such as probation or dismissal from the PhD program. Any student who does not comply with these (or any other) conditions required in the PhD program faces potential dismissal.

All PhD students, regardless of program, are required to attend the weekly Pharmaceutical Science Colloquium series. Announcements of times and locations will be distributed weekly to students by email to their university email addresses. Attendance is recorded by sign-up sheet. One excused absence is permitted per semester. Failure to attend colloquia may result in sanctions such as probation or dismissal from the PhD program.

Internships provide an experiential component of the graduate curriculum that fosters professional development through work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

After PhD candidates have completed their dissertation research and are working on their dissertations, they are able, with the express permission of their PhD advisor, to participate in an internship if they choose. They are never allowed to intern while they are serving as teaching assistants.

• Students are responsible for finding their own internship and must be honest and accurate representing their experiences on their resumés. Students are responsible for tracking this experience on their resumés as there will be no detailed record on students’ transcripts of these opportunities.
• In order to be eligible for internship, students must take   Professional Development for Pharmaceutical Sciences ( PHSC 5305 ) a semester before internship.
• Students must not accept more than one position. They must honor the first offer accepted. Any student not adhering to this requirement will not be allowed to participate.
• International students must register for Pharmaceutical Science Internship ( PHSC 6401 )  and follow instructions to receive Curricular Practical Training authorization from the Office of Global Services every semester they work. This applies to part-time jobs and volunteer opportunities. International students cannot engage in full-time CPT authorization totaling more than 52 weeks. Doing so will eliminate the possibility of engaging in the postgraduation benefit of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training.
• In order to receive a grade for the course, students must write at least two learning goals within the first two weeks of the internship and a one- to two-page paper describing what they learned, mid- and end of semester. Supervisors for internships will reply to a questionnaire about students’ performance.
• Taking internship must not extend international students’ visas.
• There are no vacations on co-op/internships. Companies’ sick time policies may vary. Students should check with their employers. For all other matters, please see the University-wide Academic Policies and Procedures and/or Bouvé College of Health Sciences Academic Policies and Procedures .

The PhD qualifying examination is required for students in all four programs under the auspices of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences: pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, biomedical sciences, and pharmaceutics and drug delivery. Students from each of the four programs will take the exams within the same time frame (below), regardless of specialty-area program focus.

Doctoral students should have selected a dissertation advisor by the end of their first year in the program and are expected to have begun research and demonstrated initial proficiency in the laboratory before taking the PhD qualifying examination.

The PhD qualifying examination tests the candidates’ knowledge and skills in core courses and program content areas. The overall PhD qualifying examination consists of two written exams and one oral exam. The qualifying examination is taken as a course,  Doctoral Training and Research ( PHSC 8940 ) , no later than during the fall semester of the student's second year, after having successfully completed all the core courses of their respective programs.

At least two departmental faculty will contribute questions for the written exams, and no one faculty member will write more than the equivalent of one entire exam. All students qualified to sit for the exams are expected to take them at the times announced.

The format for the written exams may vary (e.g., faculty may ask a series of comprehensive essay questions or provide research publications(s) from the biomedical literature and ask questions based upon the publications’ content). The first exam is given in the first week of fall semester, with the written portion of the second exam (i.e., the F31 written document) to be submitted to the student’s exam committee by end of October with the oral presentation to be completed by mid-November and graded by the providers of the question(s).

• For example, if the student is in the pharmaceutics and drug delivery PhD program, part 1 will be about pharmaceutics and drug delivery, and part 2 can focus either on pharmacology or medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
• Written exam 2 requires that students write an NIH F31 grant proposal and have the proposal signed off as passing by their examination committee after an oral defense.

A score of at least 70% is required to pass the first written exam (two parts). Students must pass all written portions of the PhD qualifying examination prior to the oral defense of the F31 proposal. Students who fail one written exam will have one opportunity to retake and pass that examination. A student who fails the first exam twice will be required to withdraw from the PhD program.

During the oral exam, students defend their NIH F31 grant proposal before an examination committee of, minimally, four faculty members: the dissertation advisor, at least two other Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty members, and at least one member from outside the department. This committee is convened only for the oral exam and does not need to be the same committee as the student's dissertation committee. 

Members of the oral examination committee are selected by the student, after consultation with the dissertation advisor and/or the director of graduate studies. The oral exam is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students who fail the oral exam on the first attempt may retake the exam within a time period designated by the examination committee not to exceed two months from the first oral exam. Those who fail twice will be dismissed from the program.

Doctoral students who have completed satisfactorily and thereby earned the credits for all required core courses (including those for their specialized area) and who have passed the written and oral qualifying examinations shall be admitted to candidacy status for the PhD degree.

Doctoral students must complete a dissertation that embodies the results of extended research and makes an original contribution to their field. This work should give evidence of candidates’ abilities to conduct independent investigation and interpret the results of their research in a professional manner. The doctoral dissertation advisor serves as chairperson of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee, which consists of no fewer than five members. Selection of an advisor is by mutual consent of the student and a member of the faculty, with approval by the director of graduate studies in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. At least two members of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee must be faculty members in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. At least one member is to be selected from outside the department. Committee members are chosen for their expertise in students’ research areas.

Within a year after successful completion of the PhD qualifying examination, but no later than the beginning of the fall semester of the third year, students must prepare and defend a written proposal detailing their planned dissertation project. Failure to do so will be regarded as a failure to progress in the PhD program and will result in a warning from the director of graduate studies of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Students who do not correct this deficiency within one semester will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation must complete the dissertation proposal defense and return to nonprobationary status within one semester or be dismissed from the PhD program.

The dissertation proposal should be no more than 50 double-spaced pages (12-point font minimum and one-half-inch margins on all sides). This page limit excludes references but includes figures, figure legends, and tables. Aside from these exceptions, the proposal should otherwise conform to the format and structure of an NIH grant proposal with four main sections: specific aims, background and significance, preliminary studies, and experimental design and methods. The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dissertation Proposal document provides detailed instructions on the preparation of a dissertation proposal. Associated required forms may be found on the SOPPS Student Portal Canvas site.

The dissertation proposal must be defended orally before the student's dissertation committee and signed by all dissertation committee members in approval of the student's planned dissertation research.  Upon dissertation approval, the copies of the signed proposal approval cover sheet must be submitted to the department’s director of graduate studies and to the Bouvé College of Health Sciences Graduate Office.

Biannual Review

Dissertation committees meet routinely at six-month intervals, but no less than once a year, to evaluate students’ research progress and to be presented with written and oral progress reports on the direction and status of the research. Progress reports should be written in a brief format, identical to that described for the formal dissertation (see instructions listed on the SOPPS Student Portal Canvas site). Unsatisfactory productivity provides the basis for a warning by the dissertation committee and/or the Graduate Committee. Two such warnings will result in a student’s dismissal from the program.

Advisor consent and completion of all coursework (with the exception of the colloquium course) must be documented before students register for the first dissertation course. Students must register for Dissertation Term 1 ( PHSC 9990 )  and Dissertation Term 2 ( PHSC 9991 ) . Students must register for Dissertation Continuation ( PHSC 9996 )  each semester thereafter until the dissertation has been successfully defended. The department strongly encourages PhD students to complete the program within five years after acceptance, i.e., by three years after establishing degree candidacy. According to university policy, no PhD students may remain in the program for more than seven years.

Prior to completion of PhD training, candidates must present their research either as a poster or podium presentation at a regional or national scientific conference. Also prior to completion, the student must have submitted (preferably, published) at least one manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal that reflects original findings and laboratory work from the candidate's dissertation research.

Detailed guidelines for the format and content of the written dissertation are given in Instructions for Preparation of the Dissertation found on the SOPPS Student Portal Canvas site. The completed dissertation document should be reviewed first by the dissertation advisor. Feedback from the advisor should be incorporated into the dissertation draft before its distribution to the dissertation committee. The completed dissertation should be delivered to all dissertation committee members no later than two weeks before the scheduled oral defense.

All PhD candidates nearing completion of their research are required to present their dissertation findings at the department’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Colloquium. These presentations should be scheduled at least six months before anticipated completion of the dissertation. In turn, the dissertation should be completed no later than one year after the colloquium presentation. Students must register for  Pharmaceutical Science Colloquium ( PHSC 6810 )  during the semester that the colloquium presentation is to be given.

Oral Dissertation Defense

The oral dissertation defense takes place after students complete their PhD dissertation research and all other requirements for the PhD degree. The oral defense deals with the subject matter of the dissertation, significant developments in the field, and students’ background knowledge in their field of concentration.

The dissertation committee conducts the final defense. The committee may recommend that the student clarify, amplify, or rewrite portions of the dissertation before the final defense is scheduled. Once the committee concurs that that written dissertation document is acceptable, a date is chosen for the final oral examination.

At least two weeks prior to the defense, students should inform the director of graduate studies in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the date of defense, so that advance announcement may be distributed. The final defense is open to anyone who wishes to attend and typically lasts at least two hours. After presentation of the work by the student in a seminar format, and responses to audience and committee questions, the committee meets first with the student for any follow-up discussion and then in executive session to decide whether the student has defended the dissertation successfully.

The committee’s decision is then announced to the student. If the committee’s vote is favorable, the student incorporates committee suggestions and corrections, if applicable, and the dissertation is signed and passed on to the department’s director of graduate studies. Requests for a second defense are highly irregular but may be permitted in the event that the previous oral defense was judged by the committee to be highly promising but inadequate in one critical aspect.

The final dissertation must be written, defended, and approved at least two weeks before the university commencement deadline. Students must submit signed copies of their dissertations to the website designated by the university and must abide by any embargo sanctioned by the student’s principal dissertation advisor and/or dissertation committee. The students should apply for graduation before the final dissertation defense, on the assumption that the dissertation will be approved. If the dissertation committee decides that more time is required to complete the dissertation beyond the commencement date, then the application for graduation can be withdrawn and a new one submitted pending final dissertation approval.

All SOPPS students (BSPS, Preprofessional, MS, and PhD) are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct .

Please visit  Bouvé College of Health Sciences Program Learning Outcomes  for the specific student learning outcomes for this program.

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Qualifying examination Doctoral candidacy status Doctoral dissertation committee Dissertation proposal Biannual review Pharmaceutical Sciences Colloquium Oral dissertation defense

Core Requirements

A grade of C– or higher is required in each course.

Research and Dissertation

Program credit/gpa requirements.

32 total semester hours required Minimum 3.000 GPA required

Plan of Study

Scientific Writing: Thesis Proposal ( PHSC 7020 )  must be taken the summer before the qualifying exams.

Doctoral Proposal ( PHSC 9681 ) should be taken in summer of second year, but no later than fall of third year. 

Pharmaceutical Science Colloquium ( PHSC 6810 ) must be taken six months before dissertation defense.

PHSC 5305 & PHSC 6213 is suggested to be taken in the fourth year, but can be taken at any point before graduation. 

Plan of Study - Advanced Entry

Doctoral Proposal ( PHSC 9681 )  may be taken in spring of first year but must be taken before fall of second year.

Pharmaceutical Science Colloquium ( PHSC 6810 )  must be taken six months before dissertation defense.

Advanced entry into the Medicinal  Chemistry and Drug Discovery  PhD program requires a master's degree in pharmaceutical sciences or a related area and focuses on various advanced research courses and successful defense of the dissertation. An applicant's transcripts are required to be reviewed by the admissions committee to ensure they are eligible to be in the advanced entry program.

Annual review Qualifying examination Dissertation committee Dissertation proposal Dissertation defense

10 total semester hours required Minimum 3.000 GPA required

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2023-24 Course Descriptions PDF

The PhD Program in Medicinal Chemistry educates and trains students in the design and synthesis of novel, biologically active compounds and in delineating their mechanisms of action using biochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological approaches. Research specializations are available in synthetic, biochemical/pharmacological, and biophysical aspects of medicinal chemistry. Doctoral research in these specializations will relate to faculty areas of research, which currently include substance use disorders and addiction; neuropathic pain; obesity and metabolic disorders; neuropsychiatric disorders (psychoses, ADHD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders); and neurodegenerative diseases.

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This specialization offered by the Center for Drug Discovery (CDD) trains students in the design and synthesis of novel biologically active compounds and in the study of their mechanisms of action using biochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological approaches. Concentrations are available in synthetic, biochemical/pharmacological, and biophysical medicinal chemistry. The CDD’s excellence in teaching has been recognized by the award of a training grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for predoctoral and postdoctoral training in development of medications. These will be targeted to treat drug abuse; addiction; and other indications such as neuropathic pain, obesity, neuropsychiatric disorders (psychoses, ADHD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders); and neurodegenerative disorders.

Where They Work

• Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research

What They Do

• Healthcare Services
• Business Development

What They’re Skilled At

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Cell Culture
• Biotechnology

Application Materials

Application.

• Application fee – US $50
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal Statement
• Official GRE scores
• TOEFL score for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English
• Please note all international applicants will need to provide a WES evaluation. Link to WES: https://www.wes.org/ https://www.wes.org/

Admissions deadline for Fall term: December 6

• Program Website

Request Information for PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery

UW School of Pharmacy Ph.D. Research Programs Rank #1

The University of Washington School of Pharmacy medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences research programs are the best in the nation according to a recent academic ranking. The findings, announced in the January 12 issue of The Chronicle for Higher Education , are based on faculty scholarly activities calculated by The Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index.

The Index looked at 104 programs at top ranked institutions from leading State Universities to elite private and ivy-league schools. The UW School of Pharmacy medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical science programs ranked at the top despite tough competition.

“This is a well-deserved honor,” said UW School of Pharmacy Dean, Sid Nelson, PhD, “This ranking, the first based on benchmark data, provides a useful metric analysis of the exceptional work of our faculty.”

The Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index partly financed by the State University of New York at Stony Brook and produced by Academic Analytics, a for-profit company, rates faculty members’ scholarly output at nearly 7,300 doctoral programs around the country. It examines the number of book and journal articles published by each program’s faculty, as well as journal citations, awards, honors, and grants received. The Index is being hailed by some in academe for its objective benchmarks, its transparent methodology, and its commitment to regular and predictable reporting. The National Research Council’s rankings of doctoral programs, once the most respected in academe, have not been updated since 1995 and have never included pharmacy research programs in its rankings. Other annual graduate program rankings such as U.S. News & World Report ’s have been criticized for years by academics as unscientific popularity contests.

The University of Washington ranked number one in five additional Ph.D. research programs: microbiology, genetics, zoology, business administration, and fisheries science and management.

The University of Washington School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutics has instructional and research programs that emphasize a Physiologically-Based Approach to Drug Delivery and Disposition. This program includes a molecular evaluation of drug delivery, metabolism and transport processes, and the genetic and environmental factors that control enzyme and transporter protein function. The University’s Department of Medicinal Chemistry focuses research in the areas of mechanistic drug metabolism, toxicology, bioanalytical chemistry, molecular modeling, biological mass spectrometry and biological NMR. Learn more about the School, our doctoral programs and our faculty at on our website.

Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy Graduate Studies

Faculty in the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy have a broad range of expertise, which is echoed by the diversity of study of the graduate students. Graduate students receive instruction in individual and small group settings and perform original research to foster their technical abilities, increase the breadth and depth of their knowledge, and sharpen their critical thinking skills.

Students can specialize their research into one of the four tracks below:

• Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry – students receive training and perform original research regarding the design, synthesis, and structural optimization of biologically active molecules and potential drug candidates.  
• Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy – students are trained to perform the isolation, characterization, biological evaluation and derivatization of molecules from natural sources such as plants and microorganisms.  
• Biochemistry – students conduct the detailed pharmacological evaluation of drugs and drug candidates of interest to faculty members in the division, including exploration of the mechanism(s) of action of these candidates.  
• Computational Medicinal Chemistry – students investigate new approaches for computer-aided drug design, including the development of new computational methods.

Each student may take a slightly different path to complete the minimum core courses by the end of the second year. Electives necessary for research specialization may be taken during years two and three. Additional courses depend on research interests, and are taken during the second and/or third years as well.

The Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy

Learn more about the faculty in the Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy

General Examination and Oral Examination

A general examination is required for admission to candidacy for the PhD degree. It consists of written and oral components. The written portion of the general exam must be taken following the completion of the student's core coursework program, usually before the end of the third year of the program. The responsibility for the written exam rests with the student’s advisory committee. The written exam consists of an independent research proposal developed by the student. The proposal should not be in the dissertation research area of the student.

The oral portion of the general exam must be taken within four weeks of the approval of the written proposal by the advisory committee. The oral exam will consist of defense of the research proposal, written by the student as part of the general exam, as well as answering questions concerning the student's course work and research.

Doctoral students are required to present three formal seminars in order to complete the PhD.

Doctoral Dissertations

The doctoral dissertation defines the PhD and demonstrates the ability of the graduate student to perform independent research and scholarly activities. The dissertation details the research carried out, describes the results obtained, reports the relationship of the research to previous work in the field, and discusses the significance of the research in the further understanding the field.

Graduate Student Support

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College of Pharmacy - Chicago | Rockford

Phd in pharmaceutical sciences.

We enable students with backgrounds in fundamental sciences to become leaders in pharmaceutical sciences

Located in the vibrant and multicultural city of Chicago, UIC's PhD Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the strongest and largest of its type in the United States. Our college is consistently ranked in the top ten in terms of funds secured annually from the National Institutes of Health and by US News and World Report. We pride ourselves on giving students from all types of backgrounds the tools they need to become independent researchers. Students in the program select one of the program concentrations, described below.

Important dates Heading link Copy link

We are so pleased you are considering graduate studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago! Although Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the best graduate programs of its kind in the country, our real pride is mentoring students into independent researchers who become leaders in our field. The program has some unique strengths, including providing flexibility to carry out internships in your later years. Have a look around our website. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . We look forward to reading your application! Debra Tonetti, PhD  |  Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Program Coursework Heading link Copy link

All students in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program take the following courses. Additional concentration coursework is also required and is shown in each of the concentration tabs.

• Drug Discovery, Design, and Development (PSCI 501, 3 credit hours)
• Training in Research Presentation (PSCI 502, 1 credit hour)
• PSCI 503: Biostatistics for Pharmaceutical Scientists (1 credit hour)
• BSTT 400: Biostatistics I (4 credit hours) [Note: BSTT 400 is required for the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration]
• Scientific Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research (GC 501, 1 credit hour)
• Research Rotation (PSCI 592; 3-4 credit hours)
• PSCI PhD Course Requirements
• PSCI Department Course Descriptions

Program Concentrations Heading link Copy link

Five concentrations comprise the PhD program in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Click on the tabs below to learn more about each of them. To see the faculty mentors for each concentration, visit the Faculty Mentors page .

Chemistry in Drug Discovery

Concentration description.

Faculty in the Chemistry in Drug Discovery concentration use the tools and techniques of chemistry to discover and develop new chemical probes and potential therapeutics. Students in this concentration learn how to design, synthesize, characterize and analyze small molecules, peptides, and proteins.

Concentration Coursework

Students in the Chemistry in Drug Discovery Concentration take the following courses:

• Fundamental of Drug Action I (PHAR 422, 4 credit hours)
• Principles of Medicinal Chemistry (PSCI 530, 5 credit hours)
• Electives (9 credit hours)

Concentration Coordinator

Prof. Terry Moore ([email protected])

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics

The Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics concentration is designed to provide advanced understanding of fundamental causes of diseases, strategies that identify new drug targets, and mechanistic explanations of how drugs work (or fail) from the perspective of the target and systems they impact. Faculty affiliated with MMT integrate a wide variety of molecular, biochemical, genetic, bioinformatic, and bioengineering approaches to study mechanisms of pathogenesis ranging from infectious diseases to cancer. Students will enroll in fundamental molecular and cellular biology courses and select elective courses in areas of their focused research.

Students in the Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics Concentration take the following courses:

• Biochemistry (e.g., GEMS 501 or equivalent graduate-level biochemistry course, 3 credit hours)
• Molecular Biology (e.g., GEMS 502 or equivalent molecular biology course, 3 credit hours)
• Biostatistics I (BSTT 400, 4 credit hours)
• Molecular Genetics (GEMS 511, 3 credit hours)
• Receptor Pharmacology and Cell Signaling (GEMS 515, 3 credit hours)
• Microbial Pathogenesis (MIM 560, 3 credit hours)
• Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (PSCI 540, 3 credit hours)

Prof. Alessandra Eustaquio ( [email protected] )

Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery

Faculty in the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration use the tools and techniques of physical and biologic sciences and engineering to understand and develop delivery systems and formulations for therapeutic molecules and control the biodistribution of therapeutic molecules. Students in this concentration learn how to design, synthesize, characterize and analyze novel materials and drug delivery systems and design and develop technologies related to therapeutic distribution in the body.

Students in the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Concentration take the following courses:

• *This 4 credit hour course will count 1 hour toward the program core statistics requirement and 3 hours toward the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration requirements. Students will not receive credit for two introductory statistics courses.
• Essentials for Animal Research (GC 470, 1 credit hour)
• Experimental Animal Techniques (GC 471, 2 credit hours)
• Principles of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery (PSCI 510, 3 credit hours)

Prof. Richard Gemeinhart ([email protected])

Pharmacognosy

Faculty research programs in the Pharmacognosy concentration aim to develop therapeutics from natural products and to study the mechanisms of pain, cancers, and a wide array of infectious and tropical diseases. Students of this concentration are trained in a combination of bioinformatics, synthetic biology, genetic engineering, chromatography, and spectroscopy to achieve these goals.

Students in the Pharmacognosy Concentration take the following courses:

• Research Techniques in Pharmacognosy (PSCI 520 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)
• Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (PSCI 521 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)
• Advanced Pharmacognosy (PSCI 522 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)

Prof. Brian Murphy ([email protected])

PharmD/PhD Joint Program Heading link Copy link

Pharmaceutical Sciences participates in the joint PharmD/PhD program, which trains students for careers in academic pharmacy and bench science research. Students admitted to this joint program participate in the PharmD curriculum and pursue original doctoral research projects in the laboratories of the university’s graduate faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The joint program offers the potential of reducing the time of earning both degrees in sequence (9 or more years) by approximately two years. The trade-off is that both degrees are awarded at the end of the training period and neither degree can be received before the other is completed.

The PharmD/PhD program is for exceptional, highly motivated and achieving students ready to meet the challenge of increased academic load and independent research project.

Program coordinator: Dr. Lindsey McQuade ( [email protected] )

• Joint PharmD/PhD Course Requirements
• Joint PharmD/PhD Program Page

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$ 35,162 annual graduate stipend for students on teaching assistantship or research assistantship

33 internships completed by department graduate students in the last five years

19 students currently on training grant or fellowship

# 7 nationally ranked College of Pharmacy according to US News

# 7 nationally ranked total research funding among Colleges of Pharmacy according to AACP

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The Pharmaceutical Sciences Program at UIC offers a supportive, inclusive environment and rigorous academic preparation for students who are interested in careers in pharmaceutical sciences. If you have any questions about the program or about your application, please contact [email protected].

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2024 Best Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Schools

College Factual reviewed 22 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Combined, these schools handed out 187 degrees in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

• Best Overall Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Schools List

Choosing a Great Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry School

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Degree Level

The medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings , including this list of the Best Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Schools. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state .

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology .

Best Schools for Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry degree levels they offer.

10 Top Schools in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

It's hard to beat Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences if you wish to pursue a degree in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Located in the city of Boston, MCPHS University is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

There were about 3 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at MCPHS University in the most recent data year.

1 School Removed

Purdue University - Main Campus is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Purdue is a very large public university located in the small city of West Lafayette. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were roughly 15 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available.

It is difficult to beat University of Minnesota - Twin Cities if you want to pursue a degree in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were approximately 10 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.

University of Illinois at Chicago is a good choice for students interested in a degree in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. UIC is a very large public university located in the city of Chicago. This university ranks 6th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 2 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent data year.

University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were about 1 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall. More information about a degree in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

UNMC is a small public university located in the city of Omaha.

There were about 18 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UNMC in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 14th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 3 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the city of San Francisco, UCSF is a public university with a small student population.

There were about 14 medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry students who graduated with this degree at UCSF in the most recent data year.

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry by Region

View the Best Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

Bachelor's degrees in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, doctor's degrees in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, master's degrees in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.

View All Rankings >

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Related Rankings by Major

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry is one of 11 different types of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

View All Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Related Majors >

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
• Credit for the banner image above goes to {} .

More about our data sources and methodologies .

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Compare your school options.

Doctor of Philosophy in Medicinal Chemistry (PhD)

Location: Boston Start Term: Fall Either build on your master’s-level knowledge or start directly on your PhD examining the behavior of chemical substances at the molecular level and conducting research related to the development of new drugs and novel targets.

Research Drug Design and Synthesis in Some of the World’s Most Advanced Laboratories

Your doctoral journey.

Our research-and-development focused curriculum prepares you for roles at the frontier of drug discovery and enhancement in the pharmaceutical industry. You’ll work side-by-side with globally respected faculty working on novel drug targets and diseases. This program is STEM-designated , qualifying international students for an additional two years of OPT work in the United States.

First-Year Experience (following completion of your MS degree)

• deepen your grasp of pharmaceutical science principles
• study medicinal, organic, and bio-organic chemistry and spectroscopic analysis
• participate in related laboratory rotations and graduate seminars

Second-Year Experience

• engage in research in your desired area of specialization
• continue to participate in related graduate seminars

Third-Year Experience

• develop a thorough understanding of drug metabolism
• extend your research in a desired area of specialization and create a grant proposal

Medicinal Chemist compensation reported by Payscale.com in 2022.

The projected professional growth between 2022 and 2032 is 6%, faster than average.  (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Massachusetts is #1 in Industry investment in R&D per capita. (Massachusetts Life Sciences Center)

Developing Future Leaders in the Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dream Jobs That Help Humanity

As a medicinal chemist, you’ll work with some of the most dynamic technologies and life-saving breakthroughs in healthcare.

Working at the Frontier of Therapeutics

Jose Mauricio Paredes Quiroz, MS ’22, pursues his calling as a drug hunter working on RNA-based therapeutics at Dicerna Pharmaceuticals.

Students Publish with Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor

Professor Swati Betharia, PhD in Pharmacology ’11, led a research team of undergraduate and graduate students to a key finding on neuroprotection against metal toxicity.

Graduate Degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences

As well as the PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, we offer five additional opportunities for graduate study at the master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels.

Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry

Two-year, full-time program on the Boston campus.

Master of Science in Pharmaceutics

Two-year, full-time program on the Boston and Worcester campuses.

Master of Science in Clinical Research

Flexible full-time or part-time program on the Boston campus and online.

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research

Flexible three-course program on the Boston campus and online.

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutics

50-credit, full-time program on the Boston and Worcester campuses.

Download a Program Fact Sheet

Download a program fact sheet for a snapshot of the Doctor of Philosophy in Medicinal Chemistry.

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Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

The Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery integrates aspects of contemporary medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, emphasizing topics most relevant to therapeutics design, discovery, and action.

The Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery offered by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, develops students' knowledge in the design, synthesis, and mechanisms of action of novel biologically active compounds using modern biochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological approaches. The core curriculum focuses on a combination of synthetic organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology courses. Through in-depth elective courses, the program offers students the opportunity to develop medicinal chemistry expertise that can be applied to a practice-oriented career in the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates of the program will also be well prepared to enter related PhD programs at the university.

More Details

Unique features.

• The University is strategically located within the Boston-area biomedical and pharmaceutical/biotech-industry ecosystem
• The MS program provides opportunities for original research experience in department labs, and the option to do a literature or laboratory-based master's thesis for credit
• The interdisciplinary and comprehensive program is structured with core and elective courses using laboratory and computer-based technologies
• Northeastern’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is consistently ranked first in NIH funding among all private U.S. schools of pharmacy.
• The program offers multiple opportunities for experiential learning through departmental and off campus internships and co-ops
• Program faculty includes industry-practiced scientists in drug discovery
• Those already employed in pharmaceutical/biotechnology careers can take specific courses for advanced training

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the MS in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery program, students will be able to:

• Explain current trends in organic synthesis as applied to therapeutics invention.
• Produce literature reviews encompassing retrieval, critical analysis, assessment, and written/oral presentation of current topics in drug discovery.
• Use organic-synthesis methodology and instrumentation in drug discovery.
• Apply experimental techniques to design, synthesize, and profile novel drug-like chemical entities.
• Maintain and use data, records, and notes/documentation according to ethical standards of research practice and academic integrity.
• Conceptualize and communicate to diverse constituencies in good oral and written English the principal concepts in medicinal chemistry as applied to drug discovery/development.
• Judge how social, economic, and ethical issues may impact drug discovery.
• Determine shortcomings of extant pharmacotherapeutics and how they may be overcome.
• Predict future trends in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery for synthesis of druggable chemical matter.
• Apply organic chemistry to advance drug discovery and development.
• Determine therapeutic areas where synthesis of new drug-like molecules is needed to satisfy unmet medical needs.

Career Outlook

Graduates of the Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery program often work in chemistry labs synthesizing new chemical matter as potential drugs. Some graduates from the department have established careers as independent:

• Industry scientists and administrators (Big Pharma, biotech)
• Clinical laboratory staff
• Academic biomedical researchers
• Science teaching faculty
• Medical liaison specialists
• Pharmaceutical product representatives
• Medical writers

Looking for something different?

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Application
• Application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal statement
• TOEFL required for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English.
• GRE scores are optional
• Mathematics (including calculus)
• Biochemistry
• Organic chemistry

 Please note: All international applicants will need to provide a WES

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the Bouvé College of Health Sciences admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Domestic: August 1 International: June 1

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

You can see the faculty associated with the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences programs here .

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where some of our alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work

• Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research

What They Do

• Healthcare Services
• Business Development
• Sales/Marketing
• Strategic Planning
• Competitive Surveillance
• Medical Liaison Specialists
• Pharmaceutical Product Representatives
• Medical Writers

What They're Skilled At

• Pharmaceutical Industry Practice
• Biotechnology
• Experimental Techniques in: Applied Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry and Human Biology
• Drug Design, Delivery, Action and Therapeutic Application

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on  Linkedin .

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Announcing our new B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Explore our undergraduate program: B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

School of Pharmacy

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Administration

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Medicinal Chemistry

Pharmaceutics

Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science

Postgraduate

Dual Degree

Alumni & Donors

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Scholarships & Funds

Continuing Education (CE)

Research & Discovery

Centers & Programs

Experiential Education

Community Outreach

Pharm.D. Info

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Contact Info

Faculty and Staff

Our department is made up of eleven full-time teaching and research (T&R) faculty members, three full-time staff members, two administrative faculty members, and numerous postdoctoral fellows, as well as both adjunct and affiliate faculty, all of whom contribute to our mission to achieve excellence in our professional and graduate programs through innovative education and leading-edge research.

More on our Team »

Graduate Programs

We offer programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in pharmaceutical sciences. These programs provide the preparation and research experience for academic, governmental and industrial careers.

More on Graduate Programs »

Suite 205, Biotech I Virginia Biotechnology Research Park 800 E. Leigh Street Box 980540 Richmond, VA 23298-0540 Umesh Desai , Chair

Phone: (804) 828-6448 Fax: (804) 828-7625

Job Openings

Medicinal chemistry is the science of understanding and designing new and more potent therapeutic agents to address modern problems in health and medicine. This is accomplished through a multidisciplinary approach including techniques such as organic synthesis, high-throughput screening, computational modeling, and structure based drug design. Medicinal chemistry involves the use of a variety of biochemical and analytical methods, and researchers get hands-on experience with cutting-edge instrumentation and analysis. The invention of new drugs takes many years of effort, and medicinal chemists play perhaps the most important role in their development. A medicinal chemist learns and studies how the drug interacts with a target, and uses this knowledge to optimize the activity for human use. Graduates of the VCU Medicinal Chemistry program are highly valued in both industry and academia, given the breadth of knowledge they learn throughout their training.

Allosteric Interactive Drugs

M. Safo , R. Glennon ,  U. Desai

Anti-cancer and Anti-HIV Drug Development

Y. Zhang , R. Huang , S. Zhang ,  B. Windle

Anticoagulants and Enzyme Mechanism

Behavioral Effects of Drugs

R. Young , M. Dukat ,  R. Glennon

Bioinformatics

G. Kellogg , R. Westkaemper,  B. Windle

Centrally-acting Agents

R. Glennon , M. Dukat ,  S. Zhang

Chemical Biology

R. Huang ,  B. Windle

Drug Discovery

Drugs of Abuse

M. Dukat , R. Glennon , R. Young ,  Y. Zhang

Molecular Modeling and Drug Design

U. Desai , G. Kellogg , M. Safo , R. Westkaemper, Y. Zhang , M. Dukat ,  R. Huang

Natural Product Synthesis

Next Generation Antibiotics

Qsar technology development, rna-drug interactions, structural biology, x-ray crystallography.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Design Graduate Programs in America

1-25 of 53 results

USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Doctor of Pharmacy Program)

• Los Angeles, CA ·
• University of Southern California ·
• Graduate School
• · Rating 4.78 out of 5   9 reviews

Blue checkmark.

University of Southern California ,

Graduate School ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a great pharmacy program. It contains a diverse faculty and student population and they encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion.... .

Read 9 reviews.

College of Pharmacy - University of Michigan

• Ann Arbor, MI ·
• University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ·
• · Rating 4.75 out of 5   4 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The program does a great job creating cohorts and helping you to build professional relationships. The medicinal chemistry courses are great. Some of the other courses are less organized but still... .

Read 4 reviews.

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences - Tufts University

• Boston, MA ·
• Tufts University ·

Tufts University ,

BOSTON, MA ,

Eshelman School of Pharmacy

• Chapel Hill, NC ·
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ,

CHAPEL HILL, NC ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Current Doctoral student says The academic program is well-suited for students who are pursuing a clinical career. The courses are set up in a "flipped" model, where students are responsible for gaining a baseline understanding... .

Read 1 reviews.

Bouvé College of Health Sciences

• Northeastern University ·
• · Rating 4.25 out of 5   4 reviews

Northeastern University ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have been working full time while in school full time to prepare for my future. Navigating my way through college has been a struggle at times due to being the first, first time college student in... .

University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Pharmacy

• Madison, WI ·
• University of Wisconsin ·

University of Wisconsin ,

MADISON, WI ,

Featured Review: Current Doctoral student says Madison is a beautiful fun college town. The school is really a big part in the community through fans and giving back everyone loves the badgers. The school is amazing in academics and has many... .

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University of Georgia College of Pharmacy

• Athens, GA ·
• University of Georgia ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   7 reviews

University of Georgia ,

ATHENS, GA ,

7 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy's Doctor of Pharmacy PharmD program is challenging but highly rewarding. The curriculum is constantly evolving to meet the needs of incoming pharmacy... .

Read 7 reviews.

College of Pharmacy - Purdue University

• West Lafayette, IN ·
• Purdue University ·

Purdue University ,

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN ,

Medical School - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

• Minneapolis, MN ·
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities ·

University of Minnesota Twin Cities ,

MINNEAPOLIS, MN ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The school really cares about the well-being of their students and recognize the importance of balance. .

College of Pharmacy - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

• · Rating 4.4 out of 5   5 reviews

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says It is very lovely. The professors and college are very accommodating! I can’t say enough great things about this school. The staff here are just wonderful- extremely loving and attentive. . The class... .

Read 5 reviews.

University of Washington School of Pharmacy

• Seattle, WA ·
• University of Washington ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   6 reviews

University of Washington ,

SEATTLE, WA ,

6 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The staff at the school are really helpful when it comes to providing incoming students with resources, such as where to find housing and internships. .

Read 6 reviews.

The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy

• Columbus, OH ·
• The Ohio State University ·

The Ohio State University ,

COLUMBUS, OH ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says I have enjoyed all my time at The Ohio State University. I went there for undergrad and now I am there at their College of Pharmacy. I have never once not enjoyed a class I was in, a professor that I... .

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UC Davis School of Medicine

• Sacramento, CA ·
• University of California - Davis ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

University of California - Davis ,

SACRAMENTO, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Niche User says The coursework is engaging and useful especially when we as the student body are provided patient panels that represent the case studies that we work through in our team-based learning group... .

Read 2 reviews.

Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy

• Piscataway, NJ ·
• Rutgers University–New Brunswick ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   4 reviews

Rutgers University–New Brunswick ,

PISCATAWAY, NJ ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says This program is incredibly comprehensive, with a very rigorous academic curriculum that prepares you well for clinical rotations. There are also many extracurricular, research, and networking... .

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - University of Iowa

• Iowa City, IA ·
• University of Iowa ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   3 reviews

University of Iowa ,

IOWA CITY, IA ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The University of Iowa typically treats their grad students quite well. The faculty are dedicated to student success and go out of their way to ensure you learn what you need to, cater to your... I wish things could have been more interdisciplinary. The other issue and of a growing concern is that the University board and new president were heading in a direction that wasn't student friendly... .

Read 3 reviews.

University of Iowa College of Pharmacy

Harrison school of pharmacy.

• Auburn, AL ·
• Auburn University ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   5 reviews

Auburn University ,

AUBURN, AL ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience has been the collaborative nature of the education process. Working within teams to complete group assignments has not only enhanced my ability to... Undoubtedly, the faculty at Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy has been instrumental in my academic journey. Their unwavering support, guidance, and expertise have been pivotal in shaping... .

University of Utah - College of Pharmacy

• Salt Lake City, UT ·
• University of Utah ·

University of Utah ,

SALT LAKE CITY, UT ,

College of Pharmacy - University of South Carolina

• Columbia, SC ·
• University of South Carolina ·

University of South Carolina ,

COLUMBIA, SC ,

University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy

• Storrs, CT ·
• University of Connecticut ·

University of Connecticut ,

STORRS, CT ,

Featured Review: Alum says Great opportunity to get research and work experience through the curriculum. However, pharmacy school is expensive. .

School of Medicine - The University of Kansas

• Kansas City, KS ·
• The University of Kansas ·
• · Rating 4.5 out of 5   12 reviews

The University of Kansas ,

KANSAS CITY, KS ,

12 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says My academic experience is going well. We just started school and everybody has been helpful. We are doing anatomy courses right now and the TAs are very nice. When you have questions they will answer... .

Read 12 reviews.

KU School of Pharmacy

• Lawrence, KS ·

LAWRENCE, KS ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says I learned a lot from the professors. I feel preparede to become a pharmacist some day. I am excited to begin my rotations this summer. .

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Butler University

• Indianapolis, IN ·
• Butler University ·

Butler University ,

INDIANAPOLIS, IN ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says I will be starting at Butler University in May 2024 in their physician assistant (PA) program. The admissions process has been easy to navigate and the program has been very communicative with... .

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences - University at Buffalo, SUNY

• Buffalo, NY ·
• University at Buffalo, SUNY ·

University at Buffalo, SUNY ,

BUFFALO, NY ,

College of Pharmacy - University of Houston

• Houston, TX ·
• University of Houston ·

University of Houston ,

HOUSTON, TX ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says this is a great school! Students are super friendly and faculty are very supportive. If you are interested in research or finding an internship, we have a lot of professors who are willing to help... .

Showing results 1 through 25 of 53

Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Medicinal chemistry graduate programs.

The University of Toledo offers master's and Ph.D. degrees in Medicinal Chemistry. The focus of the Medicinal Chemistry educational program is on the theory and practice of drug design, with additional advanced-level instruction in the appropriate underlying scientific areas. One of the program’s strengths is the integration of training in both chemistry and advanced biology. Biological techniques are used to identify and characterize targets, while chemical approaches design the drugs or probes to affect the targets identified. This intermingling of chemistry and biological knowledge enhances job opportunities for our graduates.

The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences features state-of-the-art facilities on the university’s Main Campus and on its integrated Health Science Campus. This distinction allows the college to expand its research and educational goals in an academic health science community.

Programs of Study

Course work during the first year of the program centers on advanced medicinal chemistry and biological courses, which are offered in small-group tutorial sessions. Students are expected to concentrate on fundamental concepts from the drug design literature and then formulate their own ideas about possible new directions based on recent advances in the field.

During the second year, M.S. students normally complete a research project and write a thesis. Ph.D. students participate in a comprehensive examination, which includes both a written and an oral component, leading directly to Ph.D. candidacy. Research leading to the Ph.D. dissertation usually requires 2-3 years to complete after the initial 1-2 years of course work.

Early in the program, students generally rotate through two faculty laboratories, where they carry out small research projects. These experiences provide a basis for choosing a laboratory in which to conduct subsequent thesis or dissertation research. Fundamental courses in computer-assisted drug design and the biochemical basis of disease are also offered in the first year. In addition to this core program, students normally matriculate in advanced or basic courses in biochemistry, immunology, neurobiology, and synthetic and physical organic chemistry, some of which are individualized to match the students' specific research interests. Fewer courses are taken in each successive year of the program, while attention to research increases.

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and visiting scholars all contribute to an increasingly interesting and vital research environment.

Financial Aid

Graduate fellowships and teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis through the College of Graduate Studies for outstanding applicants who have appropriate undergraduate preparation in the biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical fields. Students in the Ph.D. program are normally supported in the later stages of the program as teaching assistants or as research assistants by equivalent funding from research grants. Assistantships generally involve both teaching and research.

Additional Information

The department's deadline for priority Fall admission is January 15; applications received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis. Please allow ample time for transcripts, letters of recommendations, etc. to arrive in support of your application.

All applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores unless the applicant has graduated from a U.S., regionally accredited college or university or completed at least one full time academic year of study earning a 3.0 or greater GPA from a regionally accredited college or university. Countries of citizenship for which the TOEFL requirement is waived include Australia, Canada (non-francophone areas), England, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Apply directly online through the website of the College of Graduate Studies . From that site, either fill out the online application or download the forms for hard copy submission.

T-32, G-Rise

Dr. Katherine Wall

Department Chair

419.383.1943

[email protected]

Faculty Webpage

• Partnerships

Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery (MS)

YOU ARE BOUVÉ

Learn to master therapeutics design and discovery.

The Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery MS Program integrates aspects of contemporary medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, emphasizing topics most relevant to therapeutics design, discovery, and action.

The core curriculum focuses on a combination of synthetic organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology courses. Specialized, in-depth electives are offered in these areas.

The program develops students’ knowledge of medicinal chemistry through design, synthesis, pharmacological, and profiling of novel pharmacotherapeutics as applied to helping solve unmet medical needs.

For this purpose, many program graduates have established research careers in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. Undergraduate prerequisites are general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry or cell/molecular biology.

Degree type: – MS in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery Study options: – On ground (Boston Campus) – Fall semester admissions only – *Full-time or part-time

Application deadlines: International Students: Jun 1 Domestic Students: Aug 1

GRE: Optional

F1 Eligible: Yes

*International students must be full-time only

MS in Medical Chemistry and Drug Discovery

All Master’s programs in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences require a set of core courses taken by every MS student, regardless of program.

In addition, students in each program are required to take a defined set of discipline-specific courses and several general electives. The number of specialized and elective courses differs somewhat among programs. Students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.000 (B) or higher in all coursework and cover 33 total semester hours.

The MS degree may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis and may include an optional research thesis.

The curriculum includes opportunity for laboratory coursework and instruction in experimental design and data analysis.

International students are required to attend the program on a full-time basis. Students are expected to complete the degree requirements within two years if enrolled on a full-time basis, or within three to five years if enrolled on a part-time basis. 

Internships provide an experiential component of the graduate curriculum that fosters professional development through work in industry and hospitals. In order to participate in an internship, students must:

• Complete two semesters with a grade-point average of 3.200 or better
• Be in good academic and professional standing (i.e., have no Professionalism Concern forms filed)
• Have no instances of academic dishonesty or blocks on enrollment.

Learn more about internships

Sample Curriculum

Sample curriculum, subject to change.

The chart below describes a sequence of courses as taught in the recent past. This chart is not a planning document for what course will be taught in which semester (spring or fall) in the future. For that information, students should consult with their academic advisor or see the  university course catalog .

• Core Courses
• Thesis Option

Required Core

PHSC 5100 Concepts in Pharmaceutical Science PHSC 5102 Concepts in Pharmaceutical Science 2 PHSC 5212 Research Skills and Ethics or PHSC 6213 Ethical Problems in Health Sciences Research

Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery

CHEM 5626 Organic Synthesis 1 CHEM 5628 Principles of Spectroscopy of Organic CompoundsCHEM 5672 Organic Synthesis 2 CHEM 5676 Bio-organic Chemistry PHSC 5400 Principles of Drug Design PHSC 6222 The Chemistry and Biology of Drugs of Abuse PHSC 6224 Behavioral Pharmacology and Drug Discovery PHSC 6290 Biophysical Methods in Drug Discovery

Please choose electives from the following areas:

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHSC)

Pharmacology (PMCL)

Pharmaceutics (PMST)

Biology (BIOL)

Chemistry (CHEM)

Nanomedicine (NNMD)

Biotechnology (BIOT)

Thesis credits may count toward the required elective hours.

PHSC 6990 Thesis — this course may be taken twice if necessary

The following course may be taken if additional time is needed to complete the thesis:

PHSC 6996 Thesis Continuation

Admissions Requirements

Prerequisites.

Applicants must have at least two semesters of undergraduate courses (or their equivalent) in each of the following:

• Mathematics (including calculus)
• Biochemistry
• Organic chemistry

Please send all required documents directly to the  PharmGrad Application portal . Here is additional  information on how to submit documents .

Note: Applicants with deficiencies in their baccalaureate courses may be admitted to the MS Program and allowed to take undergraduate courses at Northeastern University concurrently with certain graduate courses. Students admitted with deficiencies must remove them within the first year of graduate study.

Admissions Checklist

A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in biology, chemistry, medical technology, pharmacy, chemical engineering or a related field.

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher

Two letters of recommendation  (academic and professional)

Personal statement of goals and expectations. Please see application for details.

TOEFL (International Students)

GRE scores are optional

Official transcript from baccalaureate program  and all college coursework. Applicants who have degree coursework from institutions outside of the United States must submit a credential evaluation. We require the iCAP WES package ( World Education Services, Inc. ) that evaluates your transcripts course by course.

Got questions?

If you have any additional questions about the graduate program please contact:

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

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How to choose a university chemistry course

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Five tips to help you find the best undergraduate course for you

Applying to university can be a daunting prospect but there are some steps to take that can ease the process and ensure you have all the information you need to find the best-fit undergraduate chemistry course for you.

Set out your priorities

First, it’s worth thinking about what you are looking for in a university and what you’d like your course to cover.

‘At GCSE and A-level it’s the same across the board; every school will be teaching the same thing, [but] it’s not the same case at university,’ explains Amie Richardson , Greater Manchester higher projects coordinator at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

‘Every chemistry course is going to be very different – there are straight chemistry courses but there are also a broad range of different courses that have elements of chemistry, some of them might even have an integrated Masters,’ she adds.

Source: © Ellagrin/Shutterstock

There’s a lot to think about when deciding which undergraduate chemistry course is the best one for you

Tamara Alhilfi , admissions tutor for chemistry at University College London (UCL), UK, says it is important to play to your strengths.

‘Depending on what your aspirations are, we have some “Chemistry with…” courses … if you’ve got a further maths A-level, or you’re thinking about a career in management, that’s something to have a look for,’ she says.

It is also worth thinking about whether you would enjoy the opportunity to do a year in industry or a year abroad as part of your degree as this will help narrow your search.

Also consider the sort of place you would like to live – do you like the idea of living in a big city or prefer the concept of a smaller campus university? Would you like to commute or stay in university accommodation? If the latter there are a variety of options, from catered to self-catered, shared bathrooms to ensuites, so it’s important to decide what you would prefer.

Finally, consider what kind of support you might need while at university. For example, if you have a disability or mental health condition the availability of support services may be a crucial part of your decision.

Do your research

Once you know what features appeal to you in a university, it’s time to do some research. There are many websites to help you with this.

‘ UCAS is number one – they have tonnes of resources,’ says Richardson. ‘You’ll probably use that when you apply to university – every course that’s on offer is going to be there,’ she adds. UCAS also have a range of subject guides, including one for chemistry .

League tables such as those provided by the Complete University Guide will show you the top universities according to course. However, rankings are only part of the picture.

‘Yes, this university is in the top five for chemistry, but is it the university that you want to go to?’ says Richardson. ‘Does it meet those requirements in terms of campus versus city, what course specifically or the social elements that you want – I would always [factor in] personal preferences as well as the reputation.’

It’s important to make sure that you’re in the best facility

University websites and prospectus will also give you an idea of the modules taught in the chemistry course.

‘You can identify what you’re actually interested in and make sure that you will be taught that,’ says Richardson.

These resources may also give you an idea of the laboratory and facilities on offer; an important factor when considering a practical course like chemistry.

‘Something that has become more obvious to me now I’m [doing a PhD] is the way undergraduate chemistry labs are equipped, and the kind of experiments that they do,’ says Sarah Coppock , an organic chemistry PhD student at the University of Bristol, UK.

‘You would think it would be more standardised, but the difference is massive – it’s important to make sure that you’re in the best facility.’

You should also look at what else the university has to offer, such as societies or trips that you might get involved with to meet people outside of your course.

Attend open days

Alhilfi says her number one recommendation is for prospective students to visit university open days to get a sense of what it might be like to live and study there.

‘Could you envisage yourself spending time there?’ she says.

Open days provide opportunities to see the facilities on offer and ask questions about the course and life in the local area. Some universities offer financial support for individuals to attend open days or provide shuttle transport from local train stations.

‘I went to Keele and that’s a small campus-based university, and that was the kind of environment that was better for me,’ says Coppock. ‘It is important to get a feel for it because everybody’s very different and wants different things out of it; I’m not big into going out so I didn’t need to be in a city whereas other people want that.’

She also recommends visiting the accommodation; sometimes it can look quite different to the photos in the university prospectives.

Accommodation can ‘make or break a lot of people’s experiences,’ says Coppock.

Seek the views of current or former students

The most valuable opinions of a university will be from those with first-hand experience of studying there.

‘Talk to students – they’re the most important people to talk to because they’re going to give an honest opinion of what it’s like,’ says Richardson. ‘What do they get up to? What are they enjoying most about the course? What modules are they doing? What modules would they recommend? What are the academics like?’

If you can’t speak to students in person, for example, at an open day, The Student Room and Unibuddy can help you connect with students doing chemistry at the universities you are interested in.

The National Student Survey also reports feedback from students about whether they were happy with the teaching and what the university offered them.

Know all your options

It’s important to be aware of all the potential options for you before you settle on a university course. For example, if you might not achieve the grades required by your preferred university, a foundation course may be a good route.

Coppock found out about the option to do a foundation course while attending an open day at Keele University. Before that, ‘I had not really been told anything other than “this uni wants these grades, you need to get them, if you don’t, you’re not going to uni”,’ she says.

Some universities, including UCL, provide contextual offers for students who have attended state schools and who have been in care, are a carer, or live in an area of deprivation.

‘We realised that if you’ve been to a private school, you might get three A*s no problem [but] if you’ve been to a state school where your chemistry teacher is the PE teacher who’s not really a chemist, even at your top potential, the very best grades you get might be an A, B and C,’ explains Alhilfi. For students who meet certain eligibility criteria, ‘we take that into account and we allow that safety net,’ she continues.

Richardson also says it’s important to understand the clearing process – where students who are yet to get a place at university can apply for places that haven’t yet been filled, outside of the normal application window. She adds that many local colleges offer one-year access courses to help you get any additional credits you might need to get onto your chosen university course.

Some universities provide contextual offers

On the other end of the spectrum are degree apprenticeships, where students can work while completing their degree.

‘They can vary in terms of length – from two years to seven years,’ says Richardson. ‘The benefit being you’re going to get a wage at the same time, you don’t have to pay for student finance because it’s covered by your employer, and you’re going to get that industry experience straightaway as well.’

However: ‘They are really competitive and it doesn’t work the same way as UCAS … they just pop up whenever it’s put on by the employer,’ she adds. ‘I always advise with degree apprenticeships [that] you probably do want to know what sort of career you want to go into.’

With thanks to the following universities for supporting this article:

Studying chemistry at Lancaster University provides undergraduate students with a research-led and practical hands-on experience of the subject. With a low student: staff ratio, our students learn with the support and guidance of academics in a friendly and welcoming environment.

The University of Leeds

Modern chemists help to solve global challenges like medicine and healthcare, climate change and sustainability. Our RSC-accredited chemistry and medicinal chemistry degrees will give you a firm foundation in the subject, with opportunities to undertake a variety of optional modules. Learn more at one of our Open Days.

Manchester Met is home to one of the UK’s largest and most diverse student communities. Rated Gold standard under the Teaching Excellence Framework, we’re committed to providing an outstanding student experience that gets you career, life, and future ready.

Chemistry with the University of Plymouth

We are a world-renowned centre for the analyses of chemicals in the environment. Taught by world-class researchers, you’ll gain problem solving, communication and hands-on practical laboratory skills to equip you for a successful career.

The University of Strathclyde was named Scottish University of the Year 2024 at the inaugural Daily Mail University Guide and Daily Mail University Awards, and we are ranked no 1 for Forensic Science in the UK ( Complete University Guide Subject Tables 2025 ).

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