Medicinal Chemistry
Qualifications
Overview
Medicinal Chemistry explores the design and creation of new medicinal drugs for the treatment and prevention of illnesses.
This major will take you through the entire lifecycle of creating medicines, from discovering and isolating medicinal agents within natural and synthetic sources, through to clinical trials, sustainable production, patents, and sales.
- Study how drugs affect the body, synthetic and organic chemistry, and about the global pharmaceutical industry.
- Practical lab courses synthesising and testing drugs, including an introduction to intellectual property (IP) for designing and patenting your own medicinal products.
- Opportunities to be involved in UC’s research in medicinal chemistry, with current research interests focused on the discovery of bioactive molecules for therapies and therapeutic agents.
- UC’s programme has a unique focus on the bioactivity of Aotearoa and Polynesian flora and fauna, traditional rongoā Māori medicines, and healthcare issues specific to our bicultural community.
See also Chemistry.
Medicinal Chemistry major
For the major in the Bachelor of Science, complete the following courses:
100-level
- BIOL116 Human Biology
- BCHM111 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
- CHEM111 Chemical Principles and Processes
- CHEM112 Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Those who have not taken chemistry to Year 13 level are also strongly advised to take CHEM114 Foundations of Chemistry.
200-level
- CHEM212 Chemical Reactivity
- CHEM242 Organic Chemistry
- CHEM246 Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM281 Practical Chemistry
300-level
- CHEM342 Aromatic, Heterocyclic, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- CHEM346 Contemporary Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM347 Drug Discovery and Development
- CHEM381 Advanced Synthetic Techniques
Note that you are not able to complete a double major with Chemistry, however with careful planning you may complete a minor in Chemistry. Contact a Student Advisor for advice.
There is a high demand for more medicinal chemists to create life-changing medicines. As well as practical skills in pharmaceutics and microbiology, your non-laboratory skills in project management, scientific communications, and marketing will prepare you for roles in both the science and business side of creating medicines.
Career pathways could include:
- biomedical laboratories
- pharmaceutical manufacturing
- commercial drug marketing
- drug regulatory authorities.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 3100
Email physical-chemical-sciences@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Levels 3 and 4, Beatrice Tinsley building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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