PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery
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 and other indications such as neuropathic pain, obesity and neurodegenerative disorders.
Doctoral students receive tuition waivers and usually receive stipends for research or teaching of $25,000-$30,000/year.
Curriculum
Pharmaceutical Science core courses 5-7 SH
PHSC 5100 Concepts in Pharmaceutical Science 2 SH / (Formerly PSC G100)
PHSC 6210 Drug Design, Evaluation and Development 2 SH / (Formerly PSC G210)
PHSC 6212 Research Skills and Ethics 1 SH / (Formerly PSC G212) or
CHEM 5600 Research Skills and Ethics in Chemistry 3 SH / (Formerly CHM G200) or
BIOL 6381 Ethics in Biological Research 2 SH / (Formerly BIO G381)
Medicinal Chemistry / Drug Discovery Specialization Courses 9 SH
PHSC 6222 Chemistry and Biology of Drugs of Abuse 2 SH / (Formerly PSC G222)
PHSC 6224 Behavioral Pharmacology and Drug Discovery 2 SH / (Formerly PSC G224)
PHSC 6226 Imaging in Medicine and Drug Discovery 2 SH / (Formerly PSC G226)
CHEM 5676 Bioorganic Chemistry 3 SH / (Formerly CHM G376)
General Electives 19-21 SH
Advisor consultation is required when choosing electives
Ph.D. Core - 12 SH minimum
PHSC 6300 Pharmaceutical Science Seminar 1 SH / (Formerly PSC G300) (must be taken more than once)
PHSC 8940 Doctoral Training & Research 1 SH / (Formerly PSCG 800 Qualifying Exam Preparation)
PHSC 9681 Doctoral Proposal 2 SH
PHSC 6810 Pharmaceutical Science Colloquium 1 SH / (Formerly PSC G810)
PHSC 9990 Dissertation 3 SH / (Formerly PSC G892) (must be taken twice)
Total number of credits 45 SH
Specialization-specific non-course requirements
Participation in Journal Club
*Students coming in with a Master’s degree must complete the 12 SH for the PhD core courses and any other courses deemed necessary by the committee members.