Medicinal Chemistry Doctoral Program
The University at Buffalo Department of Chemistry is in a unique position in terms of training students for eventual careers as medicinal chemists in the pharmaceutical industry. Traditionally pharmaceutical companies preferentially hire Ph.D.'s with strong synthetic organic research skills with the expectation that the candidate will learn the necessary medicinal/biological background at the company. At UB, students now have the opportunity to obtain a Ph.D. in which they gain expertise in both synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. Students may either obtain a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry or in Chemistry focusing on synthetic organic/bioorganic chemistry. The Ph. D. program in Medicinal Chemistry has had a strong focus in synthetic organic chemistry and with the close interaction between the Medicinal and Organic Divisions in the Department of Chemistry; this focus will be further emphasized. Alternatively, students in the Chemistry Ph.D. program studying synthetic organic/bioorganic chemistry can gain a background in medicinal chemistry by taking elective courses such as modeling and drug design or combinatorial chemistry. The joint weekly seminar program between the Organic and Medicinal Divisions brings in a number of industrial speakers from the pharmaceutical industry, which further adds to this exciting synergy.
The Ph.D. degree program in Medicinal Chemistry is a degree program distinct from that of the Ph.D. degree program in Chemistry, although both are administered within the Department of Chemistry. Prerequisites and admission procedures are identical to those required for admission to the Ph.D. program in chemistry. Students should apply to this program through the chemistry department. Although a B. S. degree in chemistry is an optimal prerequisite, students with bachelor degrees in pharmacy, pharmaceutical, or biological sciences may qualify if their background in the chemical sciences is of sufficient scope and depth. Students in this program will be expected to develop a strong foundation in organic and medicinal chemistry but also will have opportunities to broaden their knowledge in areas such as drug discovery, biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology.
The alternative Ph.D. track for training as a medicinal chemist is in Chemistry with a research focus in organic synthesis or bioorganic chemistry. Students in the Chemistry program would obtain a foundation in the four traditional areas of chemistry, organic, inorganic, analytical and physical, but would also be able to take medicinal chemistry courses as electives.
Entering students for either Ph.D. program take at least four placement exams (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical) administered by the chemistry department. These exams are used to aid advising the student of appropriate choice of initial graduate courses.
For the Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry satisfactory proficiency in four of the five areas covered by the entrance examinations is required. Students take three core courses. These are MCH 501, CHE 501, and another core course from the remaining areas of chemistry. Students are required to take a minimum of 3 elective courses.
