Programs

Overview

The MS/PhD degree program in Medicinal Chemistry prepares students for a career in scientific research in the areas of drug design, synthetics and biological testing.

Program Highlights 

• For students with an undergraduate degree in phar­macy, chemistry, biology or related fields
• Prepares students to design, synthesize and analytically examine drug compounds
• Fall semester start
• Students study how chemical substances behave at a molecular level, and how the chemical properties affect drug kinetics, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion

Program Details

Medicinal chemistry is focused on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new small molecules as potental therapeutic agents. In addition, medicinal chemistry is concerned with the study of those structural, stereochemical, and physical parameters which affect the biological interaction of synthetic and naturally occurring drugs at the molecular level.

These advanced degrees in medicinal chemistry provide a student with a thorough knowledge of the behavior of chemical substances at the molecular level. Medicinal chemists study the composition of molecules and their interactions in both a chemical and a physical sense, with the aim of predicting the behavior and properties of new substances. They work in the frontier areas of biologically-related scientific research conducted in industrial, governmental and academic laboratories. The work of developing new drugs to treat diseases begins with the medicinal chemist.

Research is directed towards a fuller understanding of the pharmacological actions of such substances leading to improved drug design. Specialization in this program requires a broad knowledge of organic, bio and heterocyclic chemistry, pharmacy, spectroscopic instrumentation, and pharmacology. Ongoing research programs include the synthesis and evaluation of cardiovascular and anticancer drugs.

Minor in Drug Metabolism

Students may elect to complete a minor concentration in drug metabolism, integrating the knowledge of drug metabolism, analysis of pharmaceuticals in biological fluids and incubation mixtures, enzyme kinetics, and animal care and use.

Curriculum

Year I-Fall

Year I-Spring

Year II-Fall

Year II-Spring

The PhD* in addition to the MS requirements, will include:

Facilities

Graduate chemistry laboratories are available where advanced students conduct independent thesis and dissertation experiments and collaborate with faculty on new research and sponsored grants. 

Accreditation

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is authorized to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in the health sciences and related fields. MCPHS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.  

Admission Requirements

Many of our programs have different admission requirements and deadlines. To see the specific admission requirements for this program, please click on the link below.

Admission Requirements for Medicinal Chemistry (MS/PhD)

We recognize that applying to graduate school can be a daunting process; our Admission staff is here to help you. Contact us if you have questions along the way.