Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy

College of Pharmacy
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Graduate Study In Medicinal Chemistry

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Director of Graduate Studies:

John F. Fitzloff
Rm. 527, Pharmacy Building
833 South Wood Street,
Chicago, IL 60612-7231
Ph: (312) 996-7366; Fax: (312) 996-7107
E-mail: MCP@uic.edu

Program Outline

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy offers work leading to degrees in Medicinal Chemistry at both the master’s and doctoral levels. Medicinal Chemistry is focused on the discovery and development of biologically active agents with potential therapeutic application. The program offers concentrations in analytical and chemical toxicology, biomedicinal chemistry, computational medicinal chemistry, structural biology and synthetic medicinal chemistry. The department also offers a graduate program in Pharmacognosy; consult the appropriate heading in the UIC Graduate catalog for more information on that program or contact Dr. Guido F. Pauli (pharmacognosy@uic.edu).

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field: Pharmacy, chemistry, or the biological sciences. Prior academic work should include a year each of biology or biochemistry and organic chemistry.
  • Graduate Point Average: at least 3.00 (A=4.00) for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of baccalaureate study.
  • Tests Required: GRE general. The GRE advanced chemistry or biology test is recommended.
  • Minimum TOEFL Score: 550 (paper based); 213 (computer based).
  • GRE and TOEFL submission code: 1851 
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three required.
  • Personal Statement: Required.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirement, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

Minimum Semester Hours required: 32. At least 16 semester hours must be didactic courses, plus at least 5 semester hours in MDCH 598.

Course Work:

Required Core Courses:

  • GCLS 501
  • MDCH 561
  • four hours of MDCH 592
  • two hours of MDCH 595 (one hour literature seminar and one hour thesis seminar)
  • plus a minimum of 6 additional hours of required concentration and elective courses.

Students must select one of five concentrations:

  • Analytical and Chemical Toxicology
  • Biomedicinal Chemistry
  • Computational Medicinal Chemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry.

Required Concentration Courses:

  • Analytical and Chemical Toxicology – MDCH 412, 562, 571
  • Biomedicinal Chemistry – GCLS 502; MDCH 412
  • Computational Medicinal Chemistry – MDCH 572
  • Structural Biology – BCHE(PMPG) 513
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry – MDCH 560, 562, 571.

Recommended Electives:

  • Analytical and Chemical Toxicology – Elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include GCLS 502; MDCH 564, 572, and 594; PCOL 505 and 508.
  • Biomedicinal Chemistry – Elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include GCLS 503, 504, 505; MDCH 562, 594; BCHE(PMPG) 513, 561, 563; MIM 552.
  • Computational Medicinal Chemistry – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include GCLS 502; MDCH 564, 594; BCHE(PMPG) 513; BIOE 407; CHEM 542 and 558; BSTT 400; CS 559; ECE 560.
  • Structural Biology – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include MDCH 412, 562, 571, 572, 594; Chem 553, 554 and 558; GCLS 502.
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include MDCH 572, 594; CHEM 532, 533, 535, 545 and 553

Examination: Departmental Qualifying Examination: Master’s students may petition the graduate faculty to take this exam.
Passing this exam allows the student to proceed toward the Ph.D. without completing a master’s degree.

Thesis or Project Required: Thesis and oral thesis defense.

Doctor of Philosophy

Minimum Semester Hours Required: 96 (post-baccalaureate)

Course Work:

Required Core Courses:

  • MDCH 561
  • four hours of 592
  • two hours of MDCH 595
  • plus a minimum of required Concentration and Elective courses.

Students must select one of five Concentrations:

  • Analytical and Chemical Toxicology
  • Biomedicinal Chemistry
  • Computational Medicinal Chemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry.

Required Concentration Courses:

  • Analytical and Chemical Toxicology – MDCH 412, 562, 571
  • Biomedicinal Chemistry – MDCH 412
  • Computational Medicinal Chemistry – MDCH 572
  • Structural Biology – BCHE(PMPG) 513
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry – MDCH 560, 562, 571.

Recommended Electives:

  • Analytical and Chemical Toxicology – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include MDCH 572, and 594; PCOL 505 and 508.
  • Biomedicinal Chemistry – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include MDCH 562; BCHE(PMPG) 513, 561, 563; MIM 552.
  • Computational Medicinal Chemistry – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include MDCH 564; BCHE(PMPG) 513; BIOE 407; CHEM 542 and 558; BSTT 400; CS 559; ECE 560.
  • Structural Biology – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include MDCH 412, 562, 571, 572; Chem 553, 554 and 558.
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry – elective courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Suggested electives include MDCH 572; CHEM 532, 533, 535, 545 and 553.

Examinations:

  1. Departmental Qualifying Examination: Required; passing this examination permits doctoral students to bypass the formal requirement of writing a master’s thesis. Good academic standing required for eligibility to take the examination (given following completion of the second semester of required coursework).
  2. Preliminary Examination: Required; oral.

Dissertation: Required, including oral defense.

Other Requirements: All candidates must assist in teaching one or more of the courses offered by the College of Pharmacy or the Department.

APPLICATIONS
Applications can be obtained from the UIC Graduate College. You need Adobe Acrobat software to read the file. The deadline for Fall applications is January 1 for both domestic and international students. The deadline for all Spring applications is October 1. International students also need to fill out a Declaration and Certification of Finances form. If you wish to apply online, you may now do so.

Fellowships
In addition to University-wide competitive fellowships, the Medicinal Chemistry program offers annually an endowed, program-specific competitive fellowship.