Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in
Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicinal Chemistry)

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry in the School of Pharmacy offers programs leading to the master of science and the doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutical sciences. These programs provide the preparation and research experience for academic, governmental and industrial careers. Graduate degrees in pharmaceutical sciences do not provide eligibility for licensure as a pharmacist. Persons interested in programs leading to licensure as a pharmacist, or in advanced professional programs in pharmacy, are referred to the School of Pharmacy section of the Undergraduate and Professional Programs Bulletin. Students may elect to pursue a joint Pharm.D./Ph.D. program.

Current research interests of the department include the following:

  • synthesis and biological evaluation of new compounds
  • molecular-graphics assisted drug design
  • determination of relationships between chemical structure and biological activity
  • studies of drug action
  • receptor binding studies
  • theoretical studies on structure-activity relationships of drugs, including the use of molecular orbital theory, X-ray crystallography, computational chemistry and molecular connectivity
  • rational design of new drugs and studies on drug metabolism

Application deadline

Semester of entry Fall (Recommended) Spring (Special Consideration) Summer
Rolling Admission March 15 (For priority consideration) N/A N/A

Admission requirements

  • a doctor of pharmacy or a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pre-medicine, engineering or a related science from an accredited college or university
  • transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • three letters of recommendation
  • a written, personal statement
  • satisfactory scores on the GRE

Degree requirements

The following courses or course areas are required of all graduate students in pharmaceutical sciences prior to graduation. Courses and course areas similar to those listed, which have been taken prior to entry in the program, may satisfy the requirement and courses other than those listed may be substituted.
  • PCEU/MEDC 607-608 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • MICR 512 Laboratory Safety Biological sciences (PMAM 400, BIOC/MICR 503-504, MICR 505, MPH 620)
  • Mathematical sciences (BIOS 543, PBIO 605)
  • Ethics (MICR 510) Seminar (PCEU 690, MEDC 690)
  • Directed research (MEDU 697, PCEU 697, PHAR 697)

All students will complete the following departmental core courses:

Course
Credits
MEDC 591 Special Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
1-3
MEDC 601 Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I
1
MEDC 610 or MEDC 620 Advanced Medicinal Chemistry II
2
MEDC 526 Research Techniques
1-4
PHTX 691 Pharmacology
1-4
CHEM 604 Advanced Organic Chemistry
3
MEDC 641 Molecular Modeling
1
In addition, elective courses are deemed necessary to the student's program; these electives may include courses outside the department.

Departmental contact

Yan Zhang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
and Director of Graduate Admissions
Department of Medicinal Chemistry
School of Pharmacy
Virginia Commonwealth University
Room 534 Smith Bldg
410 N. 12th Street
Richmond, VA 23298-0581
Tel: (804)8280021
Fax: (804)8287625
Email: yzhang2@vcu.edu






















































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