Medicinal Chemistry

Overview

One of the strengths of the Medicinal Chemistry program of The University of Toledo is the integration of training in both chemistry and advanced biology. Biological techniques are used to identify and characterize targets, while chemical approaches design the drugs or probes to affect the targets identified. This intermingling of chemistry and biological knowledge enhances job opportunities for our graduates.

The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences features state-of-the-art facilities on the university’s Main Campus and on its integrated Health Science Campus. This distinction allows the college to expand its research and educational goals in an academic health science community.

Programs of Study

Course work during the first year of the program centers on advanced medicinal chemistry and biological courses, which are offered in small-group tutorial sessions. Students are expected to concentrate on fundamental concepts from the drug design literature and then formulate their own ideas about possible new directions based on recent advances in the field.

During the second year, M.S. students normally complete a research project and write a thesis. Ph.D. students participate in a comprehensive examination, which includes both a written and an oral component, leading directly to Ph.D. candidacy. Research leading to the Ph.D. dissertation usually requires 2-3 years to complete after the initial 1-2 years of course work. Research seminars

Early in the program, students generally rotate through two faculty laboratories, where they carry out small research projects. These experiences provide a basis for choosing a laboratory in which to conduct subsequent thesis or dissertation research. Fundamental courses in computer-assisted drug design and the biochemical basis of disease are also offered in the first year. In addition to this core program, students normally matriculate in advanced or basic courses in biochemistry, immunology, neurobiology, and synthetic and physical organic chemistry, some of which are individualized to match the students' specific research interests. Fewer courses are taken in each successive year of the program, while attention to research increases.

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and visiting scholars all contribute to an increasingly interesting and vital research environment.