Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

Chemistry with medicinal chemistry is a degree that combines rigorous training in the core branches of chemical science with focused study of the chemical principles that underlie the design and action of drugs. It is aimed at students who want the depth and rigour of a full chemistry training alongside the biological and pharmacological knowledge that makes chemistry relevant to medicine and to the pharmaceutical industry. The two strands reinforce each other: understanding chemistry thoroughly is essential for designing medicinally active compounds, and medicinal applications give chemical knowledge a powerful real-world context.

At Glasgow you will study the three main branches of chemistry, organic, inorganic, and physical, to a thorough and advanced level, while also concentrating on the areas of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology most relevant to research with biologically active compounds. You will explore structure-activity relationships, drug design, the mechanisms by which drugs interact with biological targets, and the chemical methods used to synthesise and modify pharmaceutical compounds. Laboratory work is central to the programme, and you will develop practical skills alongside theoretical understanding across all four years.

The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study chemistry or medicinal chemistry in another country and to bring an international perspective to your scientific formation.

Graduates are well placed for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in academic and industrial research, in analytical chemistry, quality control, and regulatory science. The combination of strong chemistry foundations and medicinal applications is exactly what pharmaceutical employers look for. Many graduates continue to postgraduate research degrees in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or chemical biology, preparing for careers at the leading edge of drug discovery and chemical biology.