MA/MS in Medicinal Chemistry

This two-year programme builds knowledge and competences in drug design, development and the assessment of practical significance, aimed at producing research skills for high-technology research centres and pharmaceutical companies. Core modules cover molecular biology and pharmacology, spectroscopy and organic chemistry, pharmaceutical development, pharmacognosy together with pharmaceutical chemistry, cell biology, and analytical and preparative chromatography, with two research projects leading to a final degree project; electives extend into heterocyclic chemistry, amino acid and peptide synthesis, molecular microbiology and immunology, and drug technology and synthesis. Students learn to synthesise, purify and identify biologically active organic compounds, evaluate their chemical, physical and biological properties and the quality of resulting pharmaceuticals, and choose formulation technologies while carrying out biopharmaceutical evaluation and preclinical research, with graduates equipped for research, technical, consulting and managerial roles in chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and research laboratories, or for further doctoral study.