Qualifications
Overview
Medicinal Chemistry explores the design and creation of new medicinal drugs for the treatment and prevention of illnesses.
This major will take students through the entire lifecycle of creating medicines, from discovering and isolating medicinal agents within natural and synthetic sources, through to clinical trials, ethical and regulatory approvals, and sustainable production and sales.
UC’s programme also includes introductory courses in business and commercial opportunities, such as intellectual properties and patents of new medicines.
The pharmaceutical industry is growing globally, and there is a high demand for more medicinal chemists to create life-changing medicines.
Why study Medicinal Chemistry at UC?
- Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences is equipped with excellent facilities, both in undergraduate laboratories and for research work.
- Students in the later years of the major will be able to get involved in the School’s research endeavours, 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 New Zealand and Polynesian flora and fauna, traditional rongoā Māori medicines, and healthcare issues specific to our bicultural community.
- Final year courses give an introduction to the drug production and business marketing process, preparing students for work in the pharmaceutical industry or even patenting their own products.
Recommended preparation
Year 13 chemistry study is recommended preparation for first-year students, but for those who have had minimal preparation in chemistry, we offer CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry, an introductory Chemistry course.
Students with outstanding results in NCEA Level 3 (or IB/Cambridge equivalent) may be invited to enter directly into second-year Chemistry courses.
Courses
UC offers a major in Medicinal Chemistry as part of the Bachelor of Science.
Medicinal Chemistry major
To complete a major in Medicinal Chemistry within the Bachelor of Science, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
- BIOL 116 Human Biology
- BCHM 111 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
- CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Processes
- CHEM 112 Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Students who have not taken chemistry to Year 13 level are also strongly advised to take CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry.
200-level
- CHEM 212 Chemical Reactivity
- CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 246 Introductio\n to Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 281 Practical Chemistry
300-level
- CHEM 342 Aromatic, Heterocyclic, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- CHEM 346 Contemporary Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 347 Drug Discovery and Development
- CHEM 381 Advanced Synthetic Techniques
Note that students in Medicinal Chemistry are not able to complete a double major with Chemistry, however with careful planning may complete a minor in Chemistry. Contact a College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao Student Advisor for advice.
Career opportunities
Medicinal Chemistry students will have practical experience in synthetic and organic chemistry, pharmaceutics, and microbiology, as well as non-laboratory skills in project management, scientific communication, commercial marketing, and collaboration with a variety of other scientific and business fields.
They will find a variety of rewarding roles within the global pharmaceutical industry, as well as in hospital clinics, private laboratories, biomedical companies, Crown Research Institutes, universities, and among many therapeutic and healthcare services. Graduates may also be interested in reviewing global compliance guidelines and new drug applications, with regulatory bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The major will also prepare graduates for further postgraduate research studies in modern medicine and healthcare.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences | Te Kura Matū
Phone +64 3 369 3100
Email [email protected]
Location
See the School’s website for up-to-date location details.
Postal address
College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand