Program overview
Medicinal chemistry sounds quite advanced, but simply put, it's about studying how to design and create new drug molecules. You'll learn how to start from a chemical structure and turn a compound into a medicine that can treat diseases. Core courses include medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, spectral analysis, computer-aided drug design, and basic pharmacology. If you enjoy chemistry experiments, have a sensitivity to molecular structures, and hope your research can truly help patients, this major is a great fit for you. Many Chinese universities have strong programs in medicinal chemistry, such as China Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, and Peking University. They often have national key laboratories and close collaborations with major domestic pharmaceutical companies, giving students opportunities to participate in real new drug R&D projects.