Medicinal Chemistry (Master's)
Drive innovation in drug design, testing, and performance by enrolling in Duquesne University’s medicinal chemistry graduate program.
Make a Lasting Impact on the World of Medicinal Chemistry Research
Pursue a rewarding career in the pharmaceutical industry, health care, and many other sectors by earning your Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry at Duquesne University.
As a part of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (GSPS), our medicinal chemistry program delivers an immersive, multidisciplinary education designed to enrich your clinical research skills and deepen your pharmaceutical science knowledge. In this thesis track program, you can pursue an original research project that aligns with your unique interests and career goals.
After two years of full-time study, you earn your master’s degree and graduate prepared for anything you will experience in the workforce.
Program Information
Unlock the secrets of drug design and development with our Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry program. Join our renowned faculty and apply now!
Why Earn Your Master’s in Medicinal Chemistry at Duquesne?
Enrolling in the master’s in medicinal chemistry program helps you expand beyond theoretical knowledge and prepares you for a dynamic career in drug development or biomedical research. You master essential laboratory techniques, refine your research competencies, and strengthen your experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication skills.
With the inclusion of solo research projects and collaborative team experiences, you grow in your ability to collaborate and communicate. Upon completing the program, you graduate as a competitive and competent professional well-equipped to achieve bigger goals.
At Duquesne, your intellectual curiosity thrives. As a student in the medicinal chemistry program, you are empowered to make innovative discoveries that transform the pharmaceutical industry and global health outcomes.
The thesis track culminates in an ambitious six-credit research project, where you'll work alongside expert faculty to explore your chosen topic. Under the guidance of a GSPS faculty member, you'll compose a comprehensive thesis while developing critical thinking and writing skills. Through this research experience, you carve out your unique niche within the pharmaceutical sciences, supporting your growth as a leader in the field.
Explore Duquesne’s academic research centers, where collaboration and discovery collide.
You'll Be Prepared For Anything
What You'll Learn
Receive the comprehensive biochemical expertise and applied skills you need to tackle the challenges of modern drug discovery and development. To earn your MSPS in Medicinal Chemistry degree, you must complete a minimum of 31 credits:
- Core courses – 21 credits
- Discipline-specific courses - 6 credits
- Thesis research courses – 6 credits
Our curriculum integrates advanced topics in medicinal chemistry—from structure-activity relationships to emerging pharmaceutical technologies—with extensive hands-on training in instrumentation and computational methods and tools. You also gain experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
In our collaborative environment, you work closely with expert faculty researchers and fellow scientists, developing the leadership capabilities needed for advanced roles in drug discovery. By integrating theoretical coursework and lab experiences, you graduate with a breadth of expertise in organic synthesis, drug design, chemical analysis, and more.
Curriculum
Have Questions About the Medicinal Chemistry Program?
Carl Anderson, PhD
Charlotte Brackett
Admissions Requirements
Excited to take the next step in your academic journey? Start your graduate application today! When applying to Duquesne’s M.S. in Medicinal Chemistry program, you must submit the following materials:
- Official transcripts (credential evaluations required for international students)
- Résumé
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- GMAT/GRE scores (optional)
- GRE Institution Code: 2196, Department Code: 0613
- TOEFL/IELTS scores (required for international students only)
- TOEFL Institution Code: 2196
Fall Application Deadline: December 1st
Spring Application Deadline: October 1st
Applicants must apply by the deadline of the preferred starting semester to ensure sufficient time for evaluation and processing.
International Applicants
If your undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s) are from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.
Please have the organization you order your transcripts through send official reports directly to Duquesne University. They will qualify as official transcripts. For more information, review our transcript credential evaluation instructions.
Take the Next Step
Medicinal Chemistry Faculty
Patrick Flaherty, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Aleem Gangjee, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor
Marc Harrold, Ph.D.
Professor
David Lapinsky, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Accreditation
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):
20 North Clark Street
Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60602
312.664.3575