medicinal chemistry phd

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

Application deadline for incoming class of 2024:   December 15th, 2023 Prospective student visits (by invitation only): Late Feb 2024

The Department

We have 8 faculty running active research labs tackling health-related problems at the interface of chemistry and biology. Our department is internationally recognized for work on the mechanism and kinetics of xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and other detoxification enzymes. CYPs metabolize most drugs used in the clinic, and their dysfunction is linked to harmful drug-drug interactions, inflammation, cancer, heart disease, and impaired neurodevelopment. Recently, our research has diversified into other areas of biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, biophysics and chemical biology. Some faculty study therapeutic antibodies, peptides and other biologics, which are revolutionizing clinical practice. Other faculty study virology with the goal of developing better vaccines and treatments for diseases like HIV/AIDS and influenza, or neurodegeneration with the goal of improving the diagnosis and treatment of dementias like Alzheimer’s disease. Our faculty also develop new analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry methods to characterize lipids, metabolites and glycoproteins more quickly and sensitively than ever before. Learn more about each lab’s research here .

The PhD Experience

Coursework requires students to become proficient in organic, medicinal and physical chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. (See a typical Program of Study , and course descriptions in the course catalog .) The curriculum is adaptable to individual interests and needs, and most didactic coursework is completed in the first two years.  For more information on the program please refer to our most recent Med Chem student handbook .

Professional development outside the laboratory and classroom is a major point of emphasis. Students build communication skills through regular presentations to their labs, and in departmental journal clubs and research seminars. Many students interested in biotech/pharma careers have benefited from our innovative industry mentorship and internship programs.

Financial Support

Incoming graduate students are generally supported by a research assistantship from the department for the first year of study, allowing students to dedicate their time to study and work in the lab. It currently covers tuition (excluding a $265 per quarter student fee) and an additional stipend of $3259 /month. In subsequent years, support is provided either by the department or by research or training grants. Outstanding applicants are considered for an ARCS Scholarship that provides an additional stipend of $7,500 for the first year and $5,000 for the next two years of graduate school. The research assistantship also provides health insurance at no charge for students; coverage is available for spouses and dependents for an additional fee. (You can find more information on the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program and other benefits through UW Human Resources .)

Career Opportunities

Our graduates also excel in academia. Recent graduates have done post-doctoral work at institutes such as Yale University, University of California San Francisco, University of California San Diego, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Queen Mary University of London, and Children’s Hospital Research Center. Subsequently, alums have gone on to tenure-track faculty positions at top-tier research universities, colleges of pharmacy, and liberal arts colleges.

More Application Info & FAQs

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

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• Healthcare Services
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• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Cell Culture
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• Application fee – US $50
• Three letters of recommendation
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• 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

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TOP RESEARCH EXPENDITURE IN THE U.S.

Medicinal chemistry involves the application of a number of specialized disciplinary approaches all focused on the ultimate goal of drug discovery.  Drug target identification and validation, rational (target-based) drug design, structural biology, computational-based drug design, methods development (chemical, biochemical, and computational), and “Hit-to-lead” development are all aspects of medicinal chemistry.  The techniques and approaches of chemical biology, synthetic organic chemistry, combinatorial (bio)chemistry, mechanistic enzymology, computational chemistry, chemical genomics, and high-throughput screening are all used applied by medicinal chemists towards drug discovery.

For our Pharm.D. students, medicinal chemistry is integrated with pharmacology to present a coherent picture of the principles of drug action.  Pharmacology mainly deals with drug action at the cellular, tissue/organ and organism levels.  Medicinal chemistry focuses on the molecular aspects of drug action: interactions with the drug targets from both the drug and the target point of view, the relationship of drug chemical structure to drug action and the effects of metabolism on the drug structure and hence its action.

In 1913, the University of Michigan first outlined a graduate program offering M.A., M.S., Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees in a joint effort between the Graduate Department (now the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies) and the Pharmacy Department (now College of Pharmacy).  As a discipline, Medicinal Chemistry in the United States started with the appointment of Dr. F. F. Blicke as Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1926.  Prof. Blicke initiated the first graduate education program in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, focusing on synthetic organic chemistry.  The program expanded in the 1950s to include analytical aspects and pharmaceutics.  After Prof. Blicke’s retirement in 1960, his former student, Prof. J. H. Burkhalter returned to the College and argued for an independent graduate education program in Medicinal Chemistry.  Along with the support of Graduate School Dean Alfred Sussman and the participation of a core group of interdepartmental faculty (within and outside of the College of Pharmacy), in 1967 Prof. Burkhalter established the Interdepartmental Program in Medicinal Chemistry (Med Chem IDP).  The Med Chem IDP was established to train students in a broad range of chemically-based disciplines so that its graduates are able to apply the rigor and methods of the physical sciences to drug discovery research.  Subsequently, in 1973 Prof. Raymond Counsell and in 1977 Prof. Leroy B. Townsend were appointed as Director of the Med Chem IDP.  The Med Chem IDP is administered by the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies with direct oversight by the College of Pharmacy.

In 1999, in response to the significant growth of the College of Pharmacy under previous Dean Ara G. Paul, then Dean George L. Kenyon initiated a process of departmentalization of the College of Pharmacy.  Prof. James K. Coward was the first Chair of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Director of the Med Chem IDP.  The Department of Medicinal Chemistry is the administrative component of the College of Pharmacy that oversees the Medicinal Chemistry faculty, research scientists and postdoctoral fellows (e.g., recruitment, mentoring, evaluation), has responsibility for the medicinal chemistry Pharm.D. and Ph.D. courses and seminar program, and coordinates the participation of medicinal chemistry faculty in College-level committees and other administrative duties.

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry is the home for the Med Chem IDP Ph.D. program, which serves to administer the Med Chem Ph.D. program, with responsibility for graduate student recruitment, training/mentoring, progression and graduation.  The Med Chem IDP includes all faculty from the Department of Medicinal Chemistry as well as select faculty from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy and a variety of schools (e.g., Literature, Science and the Arts, Medical School) and departments at Michigan (e.g., Biological Chemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Radiology).  Approximately half of the Med Chem IDP faculty have their primary appointments outside of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry.  These faculty currently mentor ~20% of the Med Chem Ph.D. students and are fully engaged in the Med Chem Ph.D. program in many other ways including seminar attendance, recruitment of students, teaching in our graduate courses, and serving on candidacy and dissertation committees.  There is an annual meeting of the Med Chem IDP faculty to review the status of the IDP and the students.

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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Medical Chemistry and Drug Discovery (PhD)

YOU ARE BOUVÉ

Design and synthesize novel biologically active compounds to address a broad range of social needs.

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.

Faculty Research

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)
• Neurodegenerative diseases

The main goal of the degree is to improve understanding of how the chemical and physical properties of drugs and their dosage forms affect therapeutic performance in healthy and diseased systems.

Students may elect to concentrate on courses focused on novel drug delivery systems; biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics; physical pharmacy and polymeric dosage form development; or drug metabolism.

With a strong focus on nanotechnology-based advanced delivery systems that address contemporary needs, these concentrations also give students the opportunity to study with some of the world’s top researchers.

Students have the option of performing summer industrial internships in some of the most prestigious Boston-area pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Graduates of the program will also be well prepared to enter related PhD programs at the university.

Degree type: – Medical Chemistry and Drug Discovery (PhD) Study options: – On-ground (Boston Campus) – Fall semester admissions only – Full-tim e

Application deadlines: Dec 6

GRE: Required

F1 Eligible: Yes

Sample Curriculum

Pleas note that the curriculum is subject to change . For the most up-to-date and complete information, please refer to the university’s academic catalog .

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

• Core Courses
• Research and Dissertation

Complete the following repeatable course for six semesters:

PHSC 6300 Pharmaceutical Science Seminar

Required Core

PHSC 5100 Concepts in Pharmaceutical Science

PHSC 5102 Concepts in Pharmaceutical Science 2

PHSC 5212 Research Skills and Ethics

PHSC 5305 Professional Development for Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHSC 6213 Ethical Problems in Health Sciences Research

PHSC 6214 Experimental Design and Biostatistics

Medical Chemistry and Drug Discovery

CHEM 5626 Organic Synthesis 1

CHEM 5628 Principles of Spectroscopy of Organic Compound

PHSC 5450 Contemporary Approaches to Drug Design

Prequalifying Exam Course

PHSC 7020 Scientific Writing: Thesis Proposal

Qualifying Exam

PHSC 8940 Doctoral Training and Research

Proposal Preparation

PHSC 9681 Doctoral Proposal

Dissertation

PHSC 9990 Dissertation Term 1

PHSC 9991 Dissertation Term 2

PHSC 6810 Pharmaceutical Science Colloquium

Admissions Requirements

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 .​

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

Three letters of recommendation  (academic and professional)

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

TOEFL (International Students)

GRE scores are required

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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Doctor of Philosophy in Medicinal Chemistry (PhD)

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Graduate degrees in pharmaceutical sciences, master of science in medicinal chemistry, master of science in pharmaceutics, master of science in clinical research, graduate certificate in clinical research, doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutics, download a program fact sheet, cookie notice.

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]

• Nebraska Medicine
• Pharmacy Alumni

Medicinal Chemistry PhD Track

College of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program at UNMC- Medicinal Chemistry Feature

Medicinal Chemistry Faculty

Phone: 402-559-5362 Fax: 402-559-5673

Phone: 402-559-9729 Fax: 402-559-5673

Associate Professor

Phone: 402-836-9763 Fax: 402-559-5673

Professor Vice Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Phone: 402-559-3453 Fax: 402-559-9365

Phone: 402-559-9361 Fax: 402-559-5673

Explore our other PhD program tracks

• Drug Delivery and Biopharmaceutics Track
• Biophysics Track
• Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Track

Amber Hawk, MS Ed

Director of Admissions & Recruitment

Please contact me for any questions regarding the admissions process.

Phone: 402-559-5366

Fax: 402-559-5060

• Enroll & Pay
• KU School of Pharmacy
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmacology & Toxicology
• Pharmacy Practice
• Neuroscience

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Medicinal Chemistry

The KU Department of Medicinal Chemistry provides Ph.D. students a strong foundation in organic and medicinal chemistry with flexibility for additional emphasis in aspects of biochemistry, pharmacology and other biological sciences.

Apply for Ph.D.

Ph.D. Program Overview

Standard ku graduate admission requirements —.

Students must meet all requirements for Graduate Admissions .

Prerequisites —

Previous degree requirement —.

B.S. or M.S. degree in pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely-related field

Grade Point Average (GPA) —

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Scores —

• GRE General Test  is recommended but not required.
• GRE scores should be sent directly to the University of Kansas and to the Department of Medicinal Chemistry (codes: KU-6871, Medicinal Chemistry - 0621). 
• Although not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to also take the subject test in chemistry.

English Proficiency Requirements —

Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and listening via English Proficiency Scores from the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE test. See  KU's English Proficiency Requirements  for detailed information, including minimum score requirements. Request that the testing agency send your official scores directly to KU (codes: KU-6871, Pharmacy-47).

Time to Complete —

The program typically takes five years to complete. Required core graduate courses for students who meet standard requirements can be completed within the first two years of study. Students attend year-round with time off for holidays and vacations.

Minimum Enrollment —

Students enroll in at least 9 credit hours in both the fall and spring semesters and 6 hours in the summer. Students must take all required courses, even if that requires more than the minimum hours a given term. Students must be enrolled in at least 1 hour of thesis or dissertation research each term (MDCM 895 or 999), regardless of other coursework.

Foundational Prerequisite Courses —

One year of organic chemistry with laboratory (equivalent to CHEM 624, 625, 626, 627) and at least one course in physical chemistry (equivalent to CHEM 640, 646) and one course biochemistry (see note below).

Note About Biochemistry A one-semester survey course in biochemistry is acceptable if the student received a grade of B or better in the course OR if the student scores a 70 or better on the ACS Biochemistry placement exam given to entering graduate students in the fall (one try only will be allowed). If neither of these applies, the student will take one semester of biochemistry through the Department of Medicinal Chemistry (MDCM 701).

See Courses - Ph.D. for details about required coursework, safety training and academic standing.

Research Requirements —

Graduate degrees in medicinal chemistry are research-based and awarded only after a student has made a significant, in-depth contribution of new knowledge to the field in the form of research publications and the M.S. Thesis or the Doctoral Dissertation.

Academic Standing —

At the end of the first semester, continuance in the program is dependent upon satisfactory academic program progress.

Comprehensive Written Examination —

After the spring semester of year one, students take a comprehensive written examination and must score 70% or higher. A score of 50%-69% qualifies students for one additional attempt, which must occur before fall semester of year two. A score below 50% will typically result in dismissal.

Comprehensive Oral Examination —

Students take a comprehensive oral exam after the first two years of coursework. Successful completion results in the student attaining the status of doctoral candidate. A non-thesis M.S. degree is automatically awarded to all students after the successful completion of their oral comprehensive examination.

Seminar Presentations —

Students must prepare and present two seminars in the departmental seminar series. The first is the Literature Seminar (MDCM 798) and presented during the spring semester of year two. The second seminar is the research seminar (MDCM 799), during the fall semester of year four and highlights research progress.

Original Research Proposal —

As part of the “Proposal Preparation” course (MDCM 980), during the fall semester of year three, students prepare an original proposal (NIH format), and submit it to the faculty for evaluation. This proposal is based on the same topic as their literature seminar.  

Research Rotations —

Students perform two research rotations during the first semester and are assigned a research advisor, both for rotations and the final research group assignment. Assignments are based on student’s preference as well as the availability of funding and research space.

Student Self-Assessment —

Starting in the third year, students are required to complete a yearly self-assessment of their goals and progress toward those goals.

Dissertation Defense —

The final requirements for the Ph.D. degree are the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on the original laboratory research conducted by the student.

Safety Training —

Students must comply with training required by the KU Department of Environment, Health and Safety and the Department of Medicinal Chemistry. Training can include research seminars, hands-on training and online training. Safety training specific to assigned labs must also be completed before students are allowed to begin laboratory work.

Director of Graduate Studies Course Mark Farrell Assistant Professor [email protected] 785-864-1610

Graduate Student Recruiting Application [email protected] 785-864-4495

KU Graduate Admissions [email protected] 785-864-3140

• Faculty/Staff Access

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] .

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

Select opportunities are available.

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Medicinal Chemistry News

Joe McPherson Selected as CTSI T32 Predoctoral Program Scholar

Two-year training opportunity, funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), integrates a mentored full-time research experience and an individualized curriculum.

Caitlin Lichtenfels: A nontraditional journey to science informs passion for community outreach

PhD candidate Caitlin Lichtenfels has researched cell-based drug delivery, received an award for her community outreach, and earned fellowships for her success in the medicinal chemistry department. But when she was little, she had no plans to be a scientist— she didn’t think she was smart enough. She grew up dealing with significant medical issues in her adolescence— trigeminal neuralgia and hemiplegic migraines— and struggled to engage in high school because of it.

Postdoctoral Scholar Kate Kostenkova Selected as 2024 CAS Future Leader

The 2024 CAS Future Leaders cohort includes talented early-career scientists from 13 countries.

Moyosore Orimoloye Receives UMN Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship

Orimoloye is a PhD candidate in Prof. Courtney Aldrich's laboratory.

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Graduate Programs

Explore information.

If you want a career at the forefront of new drug development, there's nowhere better to study in Ohio than The University of Toledo.  

UToledo’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has been ranked first in Ohio and eighth in the U.S. for teaching and value. UToledo also is ranked among the nation's best pharmacy schools by U.S. News & World Report. 

Our master’s and doctoral programs in Medicinal Chemistry focus on the theory and practice of drug design. Our strength — and what sets us apart from other programs — is our focus on chemistry and advanced biology. Not many universities emphasize both.

Graduate students learn biological techniques to identify targets. They use chemistry to design drugs to affect those targets. This holistic, interdisciplinary approach makes our graduates more marketable.  

Employers also love that our Medicinal Chemistry students are prepared for hands-on research. UToledo graduates of the Medicinal Chemistry Ph.D. program go on to prestigious post-doctoral appointments and high-level jobs in the pharmaceutical industry or academia. M.S. graduates go on to Ph.D. programs at UToledo or other universities or directly into industry.

Pharm.D./Ph.D. Dual Degree Program

In addition to our Ph.D. and M.S. programs in Medicinal Chemistry, we also offer a dual degree program for those who want to earn both their Ph.D. and Pharm.D. degrees.

Top Reasons to Study medicinal chemistry at UToledo

• Small classes. Our classes are offered in a small-group tutorial format. You have extensive, direct access to faculty mentors. 
• Intensive research. Begin your doctoral program rotating through at least two faculty laboratories, where you will conduct small research projects. These rotations will inform and inspire your future dissertation work. M.S. students enter a lab during their second semesters. 
• Internships. Participate in an optional internship with a Toledo, Ohio-based company or one of our international partners. These experiences have turned into career-track jobs for many Medicinal Chemistry graduates.  
• Health Science Campus. Our college's location on UToledo's Health Science Campus allows graduate students to collaborate with students in other healthcare professions and access research labs, pharmacies and more. All students also have access to the chemical instrumentation on Main Campus. 
• The  Shimadzu Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Research Excellence  has the latest advanced instruments, including a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The instruments allow M.S. and Ph.D. students to research metabolism, disease biomarkers, DNA damage and other areas. 
• The  Center for Drug Design and Development  is a university-based hub for collaborative research with the pharmaceutical industry. The UToledo Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry works closely with the center. 
• Financial support. Students in the Ph.D. program are often supported throughout the program as teaching assistants or research assistants with funding from research grants. Assistantships generally require teaching and research. 

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants and visiting scholars contribute to a vital research environment at UToledo.  

UToledo faculty in the Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry are skilled researchers and teachers. They are recognized authorities in their areas of specialization and conduct research that contributes to the development of new treatments, practices and innovations.  

Master’s and doctoral students are trained in applied research in rational drug design. They work closely on research with faculty members for their theses. 

UToledo Medicinal Chemists collaborate with chemistry, biology and medical faculty on research. They are involved in research in: 

• Neuroscience 
• Cancer therapy and vaccines 
• Kidney and cardiovascular diseases 
• Organic synthesis 
• Autoimmunology and basic immunology 
• Inflammation and obesity 
• Targeted drug design and development 

What jobs can I get with a medicinal chemistry degree?

Graduates of UToledo's Medicinal Chemistry master's and Ph.D. programs have had a 100% job placement rate during the past few years. The interdisciplinary training our graduates receive is in demand in industry and academia. 

Employers include: 

• Pharmaceutical companies 
• Biotechnology companies 
• Hospital and government laboratories 
• Universities 

Non-laboratory opportunities include: 

• Clinical trial administration 
• Scientific writing 
• Intellectual property 
• University faculty and other positions in academia 

Our graduates have been accepted into doctoral programs and offered postdoctoral fellowships at: 

• Walter Reed Army Institute of Research  
• Harvard University 
• Columbia University  
• Ohio State University 
• University of Michigan 
• University of Georgia 
• Johns Hopkins University 
• University of Chicago 
• Northwestern University 
• Scripps Research Institute, Florida 

Our graduates in Medicinal Chemistry have been employed in the following positions: 

• Chemist, Anatrace, Maumee, Ohio 
• Chemist, Stepan Company, Chicago 
• Quality control technician, Mondelez International, Deerfield, Ill. 
• Portfolio manager, medical imaging, U.S. Department of Defense 
• Medical director/compliance officer, Informed Medical Communications, Rockville, Md. 
• Research analyst, Compass Labs, Memphis, Tenn. 
• Medical writer, Integra Lifesciences, Plainsboro, N.J. 
• Associate professor, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics & Medicinal Chemistry, Stockton, Calif. 
• Director general, Arab Company for Drug Industries and Medical Appliances, and assistant professor, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan 
• Program manager for peer-reviewed Alzheimer’s/epilepsy research programs, U.S. Department of Defense 

How to Apply to Graduate School

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Graduate School

Biochemistry (ph.d.), biochemistry (ph.d.) | graduate.

Our Biochemistry doctoral students are at the forefront of biochemical research and molecular medicine, examining biological mechanisms underlying human disease; they are finding new ways to detect and attack diseases and immunological disorders like cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease.

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Biochemistry program at Howard's Graduate School are prepared for careers at top research universities and senior-level research positions in biomedical and related industries. The program's key strengths in molecular microbiology, proteomics and genetics, bioinformatics, and drug design and discovery make us a nexus for collaborative investigations between biochemistry researchers and clinicians. You'll learn to apply biochemical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, crystallography, and single-molecule methods as well as contemporary approaches to cell culture and genetic analysis to answer key questions about the pathogenesis of specific diseases and the development of effective drug therapies. You'll also enjoy the close mentorship of faculty who are committed to your professional development. Our faculty are experts in several areas of biochemistry, including analysis of molecular structure, proteomics and genetics, tumor biology, structural biology, enzymology, RNA catalysis, stress response, and RNA modification. As you advance in the program, you'll become increasingly involved in laboratory research and the critical analysis of biochemical literature. Our graduate seminar series offers a venue to present your early-stage research. Students may pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree.

Program Snapshot

      ❱  72 credit hours        ❱  Full-time       ❱  On-campus format       ❱  Degree: Ph.D.       ❱  Dual degree: M.D./Ph.D.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2024 entry:         ❱  No spring entry 

Fall 2024 entry:         ❱  Dec. 1, 2023 (early deadline)       ❱  Feb. 15, 2024 (priority deadline)       ❱  Apr. 15, 2024 (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible for earlier consideration of departmental funding opportunities. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. 

Dr. Zaki Sherif

Dr. matthew george, jr., angela wilson, program details.

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: M.D. / Ph.D., Ph.D.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission.

• Online GradCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest ( 500-1,000 words )
• GRE scores  not required
• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement ( 500-750 words )

GRE Required?

Gre preferred minimums.

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Prerequisite Courses

The following course prerequisites are required. Applicants are required to have at least a B average in these prerequisites.   No expiration date for recommended prerequisites.

• Biology (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• General Chemistry (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• Organic Chemistry (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• Elementary Physical Chemistry (college-level course and lab, 4 semester credit hrs)
• Physics (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• Calculus  (college-level course, 3 semester credit hrs)

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager
• Other 

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Family Member