Program overview
Medicinal chemistry is essentially the science of "making drugs"—designing, synthesizing, and optimizing drug candidates at the molecular level. You'll study core courses like organic chemistry, drug synthesis, drug design, spectral analysis, and computer-aided drug design. It's a great fit for those who love hands-on lab work, are passionate about the intersection of chemistry and biology, and have patience and creativity. Chinese universities are strong in this field, with many labs directly collaborating with pharmaceutical companies. During graduate studies, you can get involved in real new drug R&D projects, such as the synthesis and optimization of anti-tumor and antiviral drugs. If you're curious about "how a molecule becomes a medicine that can cure diseases," this major will suit you well.