Programs

Courses of study leading to the master of science (M.S.), doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), and Pharm.D./Ph.D. degrees in medicinal chemistry are offered. Most applicants have undergraduate degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmacy. Applicants should have completed 6 credits of organic chemistry with laboratory and 6 credits of physical chemistry prior to admission. Areas of research in medicinal chemistry include drug discovery, natural product synthesis, prodrugs, peptidomimetics, enzyme inhibitors, natural product isolation, and structure elucidation.

Degree requirements for the M.S. include a minimum of 25 credits of coursework and completion of an original research problem and thesis (6 credits). A nonthesis M.S. program is also available primarily for individuals already employed who wish to obtain a graduate degree part time. The requirements are identical to those for the thesis M.S. program except that two additional 3-credit courses are substituted in place of the research requirement. The nonthesis M.S. students must enroll in the 3-credit Nonthesis Master's Programmatic Study in Medicinal Chemistry course (16:663:620) during their last semester in the program.

The Ph.D. requirements include a minimum of 38 credits of coursework and 34 credits of research in medicinal chemistry. All students are required to prepare and defend an original research proposal. A residency requirement of one academic year must also be satisfied, preferably after completion of most of the required coursework.

The Pharm.D./Ph.D. dual-degree program in medicinal chemistry is for highly motivated students already enrolled in the Pharm.D. program at Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. The program enables qualified students to complete requirements for both degrees in a shortened time frame by beginning their Ph.D. coursework and research while still enrolled in the Pharm.D. program.

For a more detailed account of degree requirements, courses, facilities, faculty research interests, and application procedures, please visit the Department of Medicinal Chemistry website.