Medicinal chemistry deals with the creation and discovery of chemical compounds having medicinal properties. Medicinal chemists are concerned with isolating medicinal agents found in plants and also with the creation of new synthetic drug compounds. They study the composition, structure and behavior of such compounds.
Description
Medicinal chemists:
- Conduct research aimed at synthesizing new drugs or preparing drugs for humans
- Work on a team with pharmacologists and scientists from different disciplines
- Use sophisticated analytical techniques to synthesize and test new drug products and to develop the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of production
- Make detailed observations
- Analyze and interpret results
- Prepare technical reports and quantitative analyses
- Stay up to date with current scientific literature
- May participate in scientific conferences and contribute to scientific journals
Licensing
- No special licensing is required
Personal qualifications
- Must be receptive to exploring the unknown
- A good imagination
- Persistence
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High ethical standards
- Ability to work independently and on a team
- Attention to detail and careful record keeping
- Strong analytical skills
Employment opportunities
Employment of chemists is expected to grow zero to eight per cent through 2014. Job growth is expected to be concentrated in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
Graduates with a master’s degree, and particularly those with a Ph.D., will enjoy better opportunities at larger pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms.
Salary
Recent graduates, inexperienced chemistry graduates with a master’s degree earned a median salary of $43,600; and those with a Ph.D. had median earnings of $65,000. (Source: The American Chemical Society)
Progression
Individuals with a strong scientific background and several years of experience may advance to managerial positions or become independent consultants
Getting there: Your degree program at MCPHS
- MS, PhD in Medicinal Chemistry (Boston): post baccalaureate degree programs prepare students to synthesize and analytically examine drug compounds; study how chemical substances behave at a molecular level