Medicinal Chemistry

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Mailing Address:
Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (MC 781)
833 South Wood Street
Chicago, IL 60612-7231

Campus Location: 539 PHARM
Program Codes: 20FS1454MS (MS); 20FS1454PHD (PhD)
Telephone: (312) 996-7245
Fax: (312) 996-7107

E-mail: medchem@uic.edu, pap4@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/depts/Medicinal_Chemistry_and_Pharmacognosy/index.php
Head of the Department: Judy Bolton
Director of Graduate Studies: Pavel A. Petukhov

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy offers work leading to degrees in Medicinal Chemistry at both the master’s and doctoral levels. Medicinal chemistry is focused on the discovery and development of biologically active agents with potential therapeutic application. The program is focused on the following areas - Analytical and Chemical Toxicology, Biomedicinal Chemistry, Computational Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology, and Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry. Medicinal chemistry also participates in a joint PharmD/PhD program; see the Joint PharmD/PhD information in this section of the catalog. The department also offers a graduate program in Pharmacognosy; consult Pharmacognosy in this section of the catalog for more information on that program.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Baccalaureate Field Pharmacy, chemistry, or the biological sciences. Prior academic work should include a year each of biology or biochemistry and organic chemistry. (Note: No financial support is offered to applicants to the MS program.)
Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of baccalaureate study.
Tests Required GRE General. The GRE Advanced Chemistry or Biology test is recommended.
Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
Letters of Recommendation Three required.
Personal Statement Required.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

Minimum Semester Hours Required 32. At least 16 semester hours must be completed in didactic courses.
Course Work Required Core Courses: GCLS 501; MDCH 561; 4 hours of MDCH 592; 2 hours of MDCH 595 (one hour literature seminar and one hour thesis seminar); plus a minimum of 6 additional hours of required concentration and elective courses. Students must select one of five concentrations: Analytical and Chemical Toxicology, Biomedicinal Chemistry, Computational Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology, or Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry.
Required Concentration Courses:
- Analytical and Chemical Toxicology—MDCH 412, 562, 571.
- Biomedicinal Chemistry—GCLS 502; MDCH 412.
- Computational Medicinal Chemistry—MDCH 572.
- Structural Biology—BCMG 513, MDCH 564.
- Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry—MDCH 560, 562, 564, 571, 573.
Recommended Electives: These courses are to be selected in consultation with thesis supervisor and Director of Graduate Studies:

Analytical and Chemical Toxicology — GCLS 501, 502; MDCH 562, 572, 585, 594; PCOL 430.
Biomedicinal Chemistry — BCMG 513, 561, 563; GCLS 501, 502, 503, 504, 505; MDCH 562, 572, 594; MIM 554.
Computational Medicinal Chemistry—MCH572, BCMG 513; BSTT 400; CHEM 542, 558; CS 559; 560; GCLS 501; 502.
Structural Biology—BCMG 513, CHEM 552, 553, 554, 558; GCLS 502; MDCH 562, 572, 594.
Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry— MDCH 562, 572; CHEM 532, 533, 535, 552.

Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis and oral defense required. No other options are available. Students must complete at least 5 semester hours in MDCH 598.

Doctor of Philosophy

Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate.
Course Work Required Core Courses: GCLS 501; MDCH 561; 4 hours of MDCH 592; 2 hours of MDCH 595 (1-hour literature seminar and 1-hour thesis seminar); and a minimum of 11 additional hours of required concentration and elective courses. Students must select one of five concentrations: Analytical and Chemical Toxicology, Biomedicinal Chemistry, Computational Medicinal Chemistry, Structural Biology, or Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry.
Required Concentration Courses:

Analytical and Chemical Toxicology—MDCH 412, 562, 571.
Biomedicinal Chemistry—GCLS 502; MDCH 412.
Computational Medicinal Chemistry—MDCH 572.
Structural Biology—BCMG 513; MDCH 564.
Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry—MDCH 560, 562, 564, 571, 573.

Recommended Electives: These courses are to be selected in consultation with thesis supervisor and Director of Graduate Studies:
- Analytical and Chemical Toxicology — GCLS 501, MDCH 412, 562, 572, 585, 594; PCOL 430.

Biomedicinal Chemistry — GCLS 501, 502; BCMG 513, 561, 563; GCLS 503, 504, 505; MDCH 412, 562, 572; 594; MIM 554.
Computational Medicinal Chemistry — MDCH 572; GCLS 501; BCMG 513; BSTT 400; CHEM 542, 558; CS 559, 560; GCLS 502.
Structural Biology— BCMG 513; GCLS 501, CHEM 552, 553, 554, 558; GCLS 502; MDCH 562, 571, 572, 594.
Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry — MDCH 562, 564, 572, 573, 594; GCLS 501, CHEM 532, 533, 535, 552, 553.

Examinations Departmental Qualifying and Preliminary Examination: Required. Passing this examination permits doctoral students to bypass the formal requirement of writing a master’s thesis. Good academic standing required for eligibility to take the examination. The exam is given following completion of the second semester of required course work. The exam should be taken no later than the spring semester of the second year. Students who did not pass the exam will be given an option to graduate with Master of Science degree in Medicinal Chemistry.
Dissertation Required; including oral defense.
Other Requirements All candidates must assist in teaching one or more of the courses offered by the College of Pharmacy or the department. Minimum of 70 semester hours of MDCH 599.

Students applying to the department are encouraged to check the Web site for program updates http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/depts/Medicinal_Chemistry_and_Pharmacognosy/index.php.