Overview

The Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery program, offered by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Northeastern University , develops students' knowledge in the design, synthesis and the mechanisms of action of novel biologically active compounds using modern biochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological approaches.

The core curriculum focuses on a combination of synthetic organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology courses. Through in-depth elective courses, the program offers students the opportunity to develop medicinal chemistry expertise that can be applied to a practice-oriented career in the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates of the program will also be well prepared to enter related PhD programs at the University.

Career Outlook

Graduates of the Medicinal Chemistry program often work in chemistry labs synthesizing new chemical matter as potential drugs. Some graduates from the department have established careers as independent:

Industry scientists and administrators (big-pharma, biotech)
Clinical laboratory staff
Academic biomedical researchers
Science teaching faculty
Medical liaison specialists
Pharmaceutical product representatives
Medical writers

This program is visa-eligible at Northeastern University campuses in the United States and Canada.Disclaimer: Visa eligibility may vary by location and individual circumstances. Applicants are responsible for verifying the most up-to-date visa regulations with the relevant visa or immigration agency before applying.

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Programme Structure

Courses include:

Concepts in Pharmaceutical Science
Research Skills and Ethics
Ethical Problems in Health Sciences Research
Organic Synthesis
Bioorganic Chemistry
The Chemistry and Biology of Drugs of Abuse
Behavioral Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Biophysical Methods in Drug Discovery

Check out the full curriculum

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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IELTS

7.5

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Credits

33 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Chemistry Pharmacy Pharmacology View 427 other Masters in Chemistry in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application
Application fee
Two letters of recommendation
Transcripts from all institutions attended
Personal statement
Resumé
TOEFL required for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English.
GRE scores are optional
At least two semesters of undergraduate courses (or their equivalent) in each of the following:
Mathematics (including calculus)
Biology
Physics
Biochemistry
Organic chemistry

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

32109 USD / year

≈ 32109 USD / year
Out-of-State

32109 USD / year

≈ 32109 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

32109 USD / year

≈ 32109 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Career Outlook

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Boston

Financing

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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