Programmes

Medicinal Chemistry

Master (2 years) of Science in Medicinal Chemistry, 120 ECTS
Health care, social services, and care services Mathematics, natural- and computer science

Institution University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
Campus North Campus
Duration 2 years
Tuition per term (Non-EU/EAA/CH) 8400 EUR
Tuition per term (EU/EAA/CH) 0 EUR
Website http://studies.ku.dk/masters/medicinal-chemistry/

Description

Are you fascinated by organic chemistry and designing potential drug substances? Then the master’s programme in Medicinal Chemistry is the answer for you.

The course's core subject is medicinal chemistry and how new drugs and biopharmaceuticals are discovered, designed and manufactured.

You will build upon a solid foundation of organic chemistry and learn new routes towards the synthesis of chemical compounds that eventually can be used as active substances in new drugs. In addition, you will learn biostructural and computational chemistry and how these relate to modern drug discovery methodologies.
 
As a medicinal chemist you can expect to find work in the area of the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotech industry that conducts research into new drugs – either as soon as you graduate or after completing a PhD course, for example, via the Drug Research Academy.

The MSc in Medicinal Chemistry is a springboard to a research-based career.

Career Opportunities  

As a medicinal chemist, you can expect to find work in a broad range of areas within the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotech industry that design, discover and develop new drugs.

  • The degree qualifies the holder for admission to PhD programmes in medicinal chemistry including biostructural chemistry, biopharmaceuticals as well as structural and computational drug design.
  • Patenting – positions in pharmaceutical companies and private- or public-sector patent agencies securing and defending intellectual property rights.
  • Upscaling – process chemistry. Developing effective, safe, robust environmentally friendly synthesis procedures for use in high-volume production of the active drug substance. Production is performed according to GMP (good manufacturing practice). The work also includes producing reference substances for analytical use and patenting.
  • Chemistry and manufacturing control (CMC) as an employee of a parent company or a CRO (Contract Research Organisation), that is, small, specialised research enterprises.
  • Regulatory affairs and QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control). Among other things, pharmaceutical companies are required to document that they develop and produce drugs in accordance with GMP. The skills of the medicinal chemist are needed for this and many similar functions.

Admission  

    To qualify for admission to the MSc programme in Medicinal Chemistry, you must have a relevant Bachelor's degree comprising of sufficiently high knowledge in chemistry, biology and pharmacology as well as meeting the language requirements.

    Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, or a corresponding qualification at Bachelor’s level completed within five years of enrolment in the MSc programme in pharmaceutical sciences.

    In addition, applicants must have specific courses and meet the language requirements.
    Read about the admission requirements.


    In addition, documentation may be required verifying that your proficiency in English is at a specified level. Read about the language requirements of University of Copenhagen.

    Apply directly at University of Copenhagen with all relevant documentation.

    When you apply, please attach all your relevant foreign certificates and diplomas to satisfy the general entry requirements. The Admissions Committee will subsequently perform the final assessment. A list of the most commonly recognized exams and diplomas can be found at the Danish Agency for Higher Education http://ufm.dk/en/recognition

    Exchange students should contact their home institution for information on application procedures and deadlines.

    Tuition

    There is a tuition fee for all full-time degree students who hold a citizenship from outside EU/EAA/Switzerland.

    Students within an exchange programme are not required to pay tuition. 

    Read about tuition fees and application fee.

    For Further Information

    Information from the Danish Agency for Higher Education can be located at http://ufm.dk/en

    You will find information about the Danish assessment of foreign qualifications in Guide to diploma recognition

    About the Educational System in general visit the section The Danish Higher Education System



    EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens

    Application date
    Mar 01
    Start date
    Sep 01

    Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens

    Application date
    Jan 15
    Start date
    Sep 01

    North Campus

    Description

    North Campus

    With the Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet) as the next door neighbour, the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences are very well placed in the North Campus. North Campus is an ideal setting for interdisciplinary reseach fields. Massive investments in research infrastructure, including the construction of the Niels Bohr Building and the Maersk Building,  are currently being made to develop the area around the North Campus into Copenhagen Science City. North Campus is very centrally located and transport links are excellent. Many students and teacher  also use their bike, and biking in Copenhagen is easy and convenient.
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