Chemistry

Medicinal Chemistry Bachelor's Degree

Discover a Challenging and Rewarding Career

Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you pester those around you with countless questions about science or seek out the answers yourself?

Channel your curiosity and perseverance into a stimulating career in medicinal chemistry. Your contributions will go a long way in improving the quality of life for many. With a BS in Medicinal Chemistry from Michigan Tech, you will be prepared to apply your training in chemistry to the process of pharmaceutical synthesis and analysis.

Medicinal chemists, (also called pharmaceutical chemists) work on multidisciplinary teams to formulate, test, and analyze drugs; conduct basic and applied research in chemistry to understand drug compounds; and develop guidelines for the US Food and Drug Administration, reviewing new drug applications from pharmaceutical companies and the processes used to create these substances.

One-of-a-Kind Program

Our degree program in medicinal chemistry provides you with strong skills in modern chemical techniques, such as computer-aided drug design, and a thorough understanding of biomedical science. You will explore the molecular basis of biological processes and drug action, as well as the health applications of compounds that affect living tissue.

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  • 18
    maximum number of students in advanced major courses
  • 100%
    of students use state-of-the-art instrumentation in teaching labs
  • 4,400
    individual peer coaching sessions in the Chemistry Learning Center

Tomorrow Needs Talented Medicinal Chemists

The prescription drug market in the US is expected to see 6.3% growth between now and 2028. Talented medicinal chemists will be needed to support market growth. A bachelor of science degree in medicinal chemistry prepares you for a successful career where you’ll solve real-world problems in medicine and drug development. You’ll be ready to focus on drug design and development, identifying candidates for clinical studies, researching drug action, and evaluating drug effectiveness.

An advanced degree is advisable for some research positions in medicinal chemistry. You will be well prepared for graduate work in chemistry or biochemistry, or for a program in the health sciences. Our degree program also provides excellent groundwork for careers in patent law.

If you’re interested in pharmacy school, a bachelor’s degree gives you an edge up during the application process. Plus a BS in Medicinal Chemistry puts you on the path to become a licensed pharmacist with a PharmD degree. Michigan Tech partners with Ferris State to fast-track graduates directly into FSU's PharmD or PharmD/MPH programs. Ferris State reserves up to five seats to qualified Michigan Tech graduates.

Career Opportunities for Medicinal Chemistry Majors

Your future career options are unlimited with a degree in medicinal chemistry. Career opportunities include:

  • Biostatistician
  • Chemist
  • Lab Technician
  • Manufacturing Supervisor
  • Material Scientist
  • Process Chemist
  • Professor
  • Quality Control Scientist
  • Research Assistant/Associate
  • Research Chemist
  • Scientist
  • And more

Explore career options further.

Michigan Tech Medicinal Chemistry Majors Have Been Hired By

The growing list of companies that have hired Michigan Tech medicinal chemistry graduates includes:

  • Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
  • Axalta Coating Systems
  • Cambridge Major Laboratories
  • Charles River Laboratories
  • CSL Plasma
  • Dow Chemical
  • Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories
  • MPI Research
  • Pfizer
  • Prevention Genetics
  • Term Medical Corporation

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying medicinal chemistry at Michigan's flagship technological university.

My internship with Pfizer exposed me to a lot of the pharmaceutical industry firsthand. I learned that there are many ways that I can apply my medicinal chemistry degree after I graduate, and that was very refreshing. Plus, I learned what my degree looks like in the real world. I saw I could have a good-paying and enjoyable career.

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Samantha Ludwick
Samantha Ludwick ’24
BS Medicinal Chemistry

Student Learning Goals

When you complete our bachelors of science chemistry degree, you can expect to achieve the following:

  • In-depth theoretical and experimental knowledge in physical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and the structure-function relationships between drug action and pharmaceutical design.
  • Fundamental theoretical and experimental knowledge of quantitative and instrumental analytical methods.
  • Safely work in a laboratory to collect, analyze, and evaluate experimental data.
  • Use scientific literature to research and solve problems.
  • Apply theoretical and experimental knowledge, and problem-solving skills, in an independent research project.
  • Communicate with other members of the scientific community using both oral and written methods.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the societal and environmental implications of chemistry as a discipline, and your professional responsibilities as an ethical chemist.

Study Medicinal Chemistry at a Technological University

At Michigan Tech, you will build knowledge and research foundations required to succeed in graduate school, research, or the job market. You’ll learn and experience first-hand how chemistry is central to solving real-world problems in sustainability, human health, environment, and industry. With chemistry faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors, you’ll use chemistry in the lab, and present results in classrooms, research symposia, and scientific journals.

  • Get personalized attention: 7:1 student-faculty ratio ensures your academic advisors and professors know you and understand your interests and needs. You receive guidance in a timely fashion. They can better help pair you with research opportunities that meet your needs and provide valuable experience.
  • Customize your medicinal chemistry education: At Michigan Tech, our programs span pure chemistry (BS and BA options), biochemistry and molecular biology, computational chemistry and chemical informatics, and medicinal chemistry(includes pharmaceutical chemistry). That interdisciplinary approach gives you exposure to different areas of chemistry. Take classes across these topics to tailor your degree to fit your individual pathway.
  • Engage in chemistry research: Become involved in a research project under the direction of a faculty member. Whether you are planning to go to graduate school or pursue a career upon graduation, one of the factors that gives our students an edge is the opportunity to engage in research as an undergraduate student and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art research instrumentation. A majority of our students conduct undergraduate research with faculty members.
  • Practice basic chemistry concepts: Work as a peer coach in the Chemistry Learning Center helping other students understand chemistry concepts while reinforcing your understanding of the basics.

Undergraduate Majors

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors and Certificates

A minor in chemistry or medicinal chemistry allows you to specialize in a discipline outside of or complementary to your major, expand your knowledge base, and boost your potential career options. A minor in a pre-professional program such as Pre-Law or Pre-Health prepares you for graduate school and future careers in law and medicine. You can declare a major anytime, but it is recommended you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your chemistry skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.

"My degree at Tech in a rigorous program helped to lay the scientific foundation for pharmacy school. I loved that most of my professors were also advanced researchers in their field of study and could bring that knowledge into the classroom. The relatively small class sizes (<20 students) for many of the more advanced courses was an added bonus as well!"Patrick Acton ‘21, BS Pharmaceutical Chemistry (now Medicinal Chemistry),