Program Overview

Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design

The medicinal chemistry and drug design major provides students with an in-depth understanding of the processes and societal issues surrounding the design and development of modern pharmaceuticals. Students in this major will learn how drugs work and how to synthesize, design, and deliver them, as well as the ethical issues surrounding pharmaceutical development.

Major Requirements

The medicinal chemistry and drug design program at UC Davis provides a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. The major focuses on design principles and experimental methods used in pharmaceutical and medical chemistry. Undergraduate research and study abroad are strongly encouraged and may apply to major requirements.

Degree Outcomes

• Analyst
• Research Associate
• Facilities TCM Engineer
• STEM Educator
• Junior Specialist of Pathology and Lab Medicine

Graduate Study

• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Medicinal chemistry
• Pharmaceutical sciences
• Chemical physics

Alumni Employers

• Origin Materials
• Terracon Consultants Incorporated
• Gilead Sciences
• Genentech, Inc.
• California Department of Justice, Santa Rosa

Related Degrees

• Chemistry
• Biochemical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering

Program Features

• Internship opportunities
• Course roadmap
• Faculty research projects and labs
• Global learning programs
• Undergraduate research opportunities
• Career connections and resources for medicinal chemistry and drug design majors