Chemistry

Medicinal Chemistry Bachelor's Degree

Discover a Challenging and Rewarding Career

Improve quality of life. Research drug compounds. Formulate, test, and analyze pharmaceuticals. Develop substance guidelines. Review new drug applications and the processes used to create them.

With a bachelor of science degree in medicinal chemistry from Michigan Tech, you're ready to apply your training to the process of pharmaceutical synthesis and analysis from day one of your career.

Channel your curiosity and perseverance into a stimulating career in medicinal chemistry. Medicinal chemists, also called pharmaceutical chemists, work on multidisciplinary teams to formulate, test, and analyze drugs. They conduct basic and applied research in chemistry to understand drug compounds. They develop guidelines for the US Food and Drug Administration, reviewing new drug applications from pharmaceutical companies and the processes used to create these substances. There are so many possibilities. And all of them start here, in our unique program.

Tech's 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.

An advanced degree is recommended for some research positions in medicinal chemistry. You'll 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 for qualified Michigan Tech graduates.

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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.

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.

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces. 

Undergraduate Majors in Health Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem. Browse the entire list of College of Sciences and Arts majors. Or, give yourself time and declare the General Sciences and Arts major, which lets you decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

Tomorrow Needs You

Combine your creativity and curiosity to meet pressing societal challenges with innovative solutions. Graduate with the technical skills, critical thinking and tenacity to inspire, design and implement a sustainable future across social and natural sciences, humanities, and arts.

"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 Medicinal Chemistry