Graduate studies are available in this Department leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Medicinal Chemistry. The focus of the educational program is on the theory and practice of drug design, with additional advanced-level instruction in the appropriate underlying scientific areas. Students normally focus entirely on course work during the first year of the program. This centers around advanced medicinal and biomedicinal chemistry courses, which are offered in small-group tutorial sessions. Students are expected to concentrate on fundamental concepts from the drug design literature and then formulate their own ideas about possible new directions based on recent advances in the field. Each student is responsible for a number of written and oral presentations.
Early in the program students generally rotate through two faculty laboratories, where they carry out small research projects. These experiences in turn provide a basis for choosing a laboratory in which to conduct subsequent thesis or dissertation research. Fundamental courses in computer-assisted drug design and the biochemical basis of disease are also offered in the first year.
In addition to this core program, students normally matriculate in advanced or basic courses in biochemistry, immunology, neurobiology, and synthetic and physical organic chemistry, some of which are individualized to match the students' specific research interests.
Fewer courses are taken in each successive year of the program, while attention to research increases. During the second year, M.S. students normally complete a research project and write a thesis. Ph.D. students participate in a comprehensive examination, which includes both a written and an oral component, leading directly to Ph.D. candidacy. Research leading to the Ph.D. dissertation usually requires 2-3 years to complete following the initial 1-2 years of course work.
Graduate Fellowships and Teaching and Research Assistantships are available on a competitive basis through the Graduate School for outstanding applicants who have appropriate undergraduate preparation in the biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical fields. Students in the Ph.D. program are normally supported in the later stages of the program as teaching assistants or as research assistants by equivalent funding from research grants. Assistantships generally involve both teaching and research.
The Department's deadline for the Fall admission is January 31. Additionally, we allow ample time for transcripts, letters of recommendations, etc. to arrive in support of your application. Prospective applicants are encouraged to correspond for additional information. Application forms can be obtained by writing to: Graduate Studies Committee, Department of Medicinal & Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606-3390. Or, you can apply directly online at the Graduate School's website: http://utoledo.edu/graduate. From that site you can either fill out the online application and forms or download them for hardcopy submission.