Courses - M.S.
Safety Training
Students are expected to comply with all mandated training required by the KU Department of Environment, Health and Safety and the Department of Medicinal Chemistry; this may take the form of research seminars, hands-on training, and/or online training. Students also must complete appropriate safety training specific to a research laboratory before they are allowed to begin laboratory work.
Foundation (Prerequisite) Courses
Students enter the medicinal chemistry M.S. program with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds. All graduate students must present evidence of credit in the following foundation courses. Ideally these courses will have been taken prior to entering the graduate program; if not they must be taken as early in the graduate program as practicable.
One year of organic chemistry with laboratory (equivalent to CHEM 624, 625, 626, 627) and at least one course in physical chemistry (equivalent to CHEM 640, 646) and one course in biochemistry (see note below).
Note about Biochemistry
A one-semester survey course in biochemistry is acceptable if the student received a grade of B or better in the course OR if the student scores a 70 or better on the ACS Biochemistry placement exam given to entering graduate students in the fall (one try only will be allowed). If neither of these applies, the student will take one semester of biochemistry through the Department of Medicinal Chemistry (MDCM 701).
At the end of the first semester, continuance in the program is dependent upon satisfactory academic program progress.
M.S. Program Requirements and Typical Scheduling
The curricula presented below represent the minimal programs of required courses for the M.S. degree.
Year 1
Fall - 1st Semester
| Course Number | Credit hours | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 740 | 3 | Principles of Organic Reactions |
| MDCM 710 | 4 | Chemistry of Drug Action I |
| MDCM 817 | 1 | Responsible Research Conduct |
| MDCM 895 | 2 | Research in Medicinal Chemistry |
Spring - 2nd Semester
| Course Number | Credit hours | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 842 | 3 | Organic Synthesis I |
| MDCM 790 | 3 | Chemistry of Drug Action II |
| MDCM 895 | 2 | Research in Medicinal Chemistry |
Summer Semester
| Course Number | Credit hours | Title |
|---|---|---|
| MDCM 895 | 3 | Research in Medicinal Chemistry |
Year 2
Fall - 3rd Semester
| Course Number | Credit hours | Title |
|---|---|---|
| MDCM 895 | 3 | Research in Medicinal Chemistry |
Spring - 4th Semester
| Course Number | Credit hours | Title |
|---|---|---|
| MDCM 895 | 3 | Research in Medicinal Chemistry |
Summer - 5th and Terminal Semester
| Course Number | Credit hours | Title |
|---|---|---|
| MDCM 895 | 3 | Research in Medicinal Chemistry |
Total: 30 credits required
Note: Written thesis and oral defense required for graduation.
Academic Standing
Continuance in the program is dependent upon satisfactory overall progress during the various stages of study. To be in good academic standing, in addition to satisfactory research performance (e.g. research productivity, work ethic, good citizenship etc.), a student must also maintain a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher throughout the duration of the graduate program.