Medicinal Chemistry B.S. (Purdue degree)

Why choose this program?

This major is designed for students planning to attend medical, dental or pharmacy school, to do graduate work in medicinal chemistry or biochemistry, or to seek employment in industry. 

The Chemistry Bachelor of Science (B.S.) provides a rigorous and comprehensive foundation in chemistry by placing emphasis on science and mathematics and carries certification by the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training. 

See Chemistry undergraduate programs

What will you learn?

The medicinal chemistry option provides a basic understanding of the key features of the rational design and development of new medicinal agents. 

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge to:

• Demonstrate knowledge in the basic sub-divisions of the science (organic, inorganic, analytical, physical and biological chemistry)
• Use modern instrumentation and classical laboratory techniques
• Design and conduct scientific experiments for the purpose of solving a scientific problem and to record and analyze the results
• Understand the proper procedures for safe use of chemicals and can follow the proper procedures for chemical waste disposal
• Use modern library searching and retrieval methods to obtain information about a topic, chemical, chemical technique, or an issue relating to chemistry
• Identify and solve chemical problems and explore new areas of research
• Understand the chemical basis for the rational design, synthesis, and mechanism of action of drugs, and selective metabolic inhibition
• Find employment in industry or government or be accepted at graduate or professional schools (pharmacy, medicine, etc.)

What will you do?

Our chemistry major often cross over into other fields with great success. With a chemistry degree from IUPUI, you'll be ready to take on the world, whether as a research chemist in industry or academia or in fields such as medicine and law where the analytical and technical skills you learn as a chemistry major are highly valued. 

Our chemistry students are in high demand. Top graduate programs, including M.D./Ph.D. programs, actively recruit our students, and the best employers--locally and beyond--know that our graduates are prepared to make an impact.