The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's medicinal chemistry bachelor's degree provides a semester-by-semester guide to core courses, labs, and requirements.
The Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.
First Year
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CH 1134 – Professional Development Seminar for Chemists | 1 | |
| CH 1150 – University Chemistry I | 3 | |
| CH 1151 – University Chemistry Lab I | 1 | |
| CH 1153 – University Chemistry I Recitation | 1 | |
| MA 1160 – Calculus with Technology I | MA 1032 | 4 |
| PH 1100: Physics by Inquiry | 1 | |
| UN 1015 – Composition | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success | 1 | |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CH 1160 – University Chemistry II | CH 1150 | 3 |
| CH 1161 – University Chemistry Lab II | CH 1151 | 1 |
| CH 1163 – University Chemistry II Recitation | 1 | |
| Essential Education: Foundations of the Human World | 3 | |
| MA 2160 – Calculus with Technology II | MA 1160 | 4 |
| PH 2100 – University Physics I | MA 1160 | 3 |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success | 1 | |
| Total | 16 |
Second Year
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Arts & Culture | 3 | |
| BL 1400 – Principles of Biology | 3 | |
| BL 1410 Principles of Biology Lab | 1 | |
| CH 2430 – Mechanistic Organic Chemistry | CH 1160 | 3 |
| CH 2411 – Organic Chemistry Lab I | CH 1161 | 1 |
| PH 2200 – University Physics II – E and M | PH 2100 | 3 |
| PH 1200: Physics by Inquiry II | PH 1100 | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CH 2440 – Synthetic Organic Chemistry | CH 2430 | 3 |
| CH 2421 – Organic Chemistry Lab II | CH 2411 | 2 |
| CH 2710: Computing in Chemistry | CH 1160 | 4 |
| MA 3160 – Multivariable Calculus with Technology | MA 2160 | 2 |
| MA 2320 – Elementary Linear Algebra | MA 1160 | 2 |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success | 1 | |
| Total | 14 |
Third Year
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CH 3124 – Communication for the Chemical Sciences | UN 1015 | 3 |
| CH 3510 – Physical Chemistry I | MA 2160, PH 2200, CH 1160 |
3 |
| CH 3511 – Physical Chemistry Lab I | 2 | |
| CH 4710 – Biomolecular Chemistry | CH 2440 | 3 |
| CH 4220 – Bioanalytical Chemistry | CH 1160 | 3 |
| CH 4221 – Bioanalytical Chemistry Lab | 2 | |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CH 3540 – Biophysical Chemistry Or CH 3520 – Physical Chemistry II | BL 1400, CH 1160 and MA 2160 OR CH 3510 | 3 |
| CH 3541 – Biophysical Chemistry Lab Or CH3521 – Physical Chemistry II Lab | 2 | |
| CH 4720 – Biomolecular Chemistry II | CH 4710 | 3 |
| Essential Education: Experience | 3 | |
| Essential Education: SHAPE | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 3 | |
| Total | 17 |
Fourth Year
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CH 4120 – Medicinal Chemistry: Drug Design | CH 2440 | 3 |
| MA 2720 – Statistical Methods | MA 1032 | 4 |
| MA 2720 – Statistical Methods | CH 3510 and CH 4710 | 3 |
| Major Approved Electives * | 4-6 | |
| Total | 14-16 |
| Course | Prerequisite | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| BL 4070 – Environmental Toxicology | BL 1400 and CH 1160 | 3 |
| CH 4412 – Spectroscopy of Organic Chemistry | CH 2440 | 3 |
| CH 4110 – Medicinal Chemistry: Mechanism of Drug Interaction | CH 2440 | 3 |
| CH 4721 – Research Methods in Biomolecular Chemistry | CH 4710 and CH 4220 | 3 |
| Free Electives | 1-2 | |
| Total | 13-14 |
Grand Total = 120 Credits
* Major Approved Electives are selected from the list of approved electives for this major.
**Free Elective credits are dependent on number of credits taken for Major Approved Electives.
Essential Education Requirements (37 total credits)
Required courses are:
- a Math course (3 credits),
- a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
- STEM courses (6 credits),
- a Foundations in the Human World course (3 credits),
- Composition UN 1015 (3 credits),
- a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
- an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
- an Essential Ed Seminar course (UN 1013 or UN 2013 or major-specific, 1-3 credits),
- an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
- a SHAPE elective (3 credits)
- an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
- and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.
Up to five Essential Education requirements and the Michigan Tech Seminar may be shared (double-counted) with major requirements. Students should work with their advisor to determine which major requirements may satisfy Essential Education requirements.
For specific courses, reference Essential Education on the Registrar's website.
Additional Notes
- Prerequisite (pre-req) course must be successfully completed PRIOR to taking the subsequent
course.
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Required Corequisite (co-req) courses that MUST be taken together in the same semester.
- Class Standing: So (Sophomore Standing earned 30 credits) Jr (Junior Standing earned 60 credits), Sr (Senior Standing earned 90 credits)
- Semester Offered: Noted under electives with F (Fall), Sp (Spring), Su (Summer) or On Demand (no anticipated offering but may show in the schedule, consult with your advisor)
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Math: Students are placed into an initial math course based on ACT/SAT math score, the online ALEKS assessment, or a math placement exam score for credit (AP, IB, CLEP).
- Transfer, Advanced Placement, or study abroad courses are not included in credit hours used for GPA calculations. Transfer credit is awarded for Michigan Tech equivalent coursework only if a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.00/4.00) or equivalent is earned at a transfer institution. Study abroad credit will be awarded based on passing a course according to equivalent international standards. Advanced Placement credit is awarded according to published AP Exam score standards (also IB and CLEP).
This degree plan is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.
For 2026-2027. Revised 08/05/2026.