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Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Pharmaceutical Chemistry is an area of chemistry focused on the development
of new drugs and the modification of currently used drugs to prevent,
cure, and relieve symptoms of disease. Modern medicine relies on a
multitude of drugs that block, counteract or lesson the debilitating
effects of disease-causing factors.
The education of pharmaceutical chemists can focus on three distinct,
but overlapping areas of chemistry: (1) medicinal chemistry,
where the emphasis is on the synthesis of new drugs and the modification
of old drugs, as well as the relationship between the structure of
the drug and its biological activity; (2) natural product chemistry,
where the emphasis is on the production of drugs through the identification
and modification of pharmacologically-active compounds found in nature;
and (3) analytical chemistry, where the emphasis is on being
able to determine the pharmacologically active component in a drug
delivery (e.g., a pill) and/or biological sample (e.g., blood). Efforts
to understand the pharmacological properties of a biologically active
molecule such as caffeine (shown here), depend on our ability to detect
the substance.
The Pharmaceutical Chemistry program at USP focuses primarily on this
last area, i.e., the separation and identification of drugs and their
metabolic products. Students interested in the synthesis of new or
modified drugs will be better served by obtaining a BS degree in Chemistry.
Advanced graduate training at the MS and/or PhD level is typically
necessary to develop the synthetic skills needed to pursue a career
in Medicinal Chemistry.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry majors take courses within several departments
at the University, drawing most heavily on the expertise within the
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. Required courses in the
curriculum of particular interest include "Introduction to Pharmaceutics",
which provides a broad overview of the manufacture of drugs, "Pharmaceutical
Analysis", which focuses on the analytical techniques utilized
most in the pharmaceutical industry, and "Structure-Activity
Relationships", which focuses on the relationship between the
structure of an organic molecule and its biological activity.
Few other universities, and none in the Philadelphia area, offer a
program in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry Curriculum
NOTE:
Students that enrolled in a previous academic year should consult
with the Department Chair for the curriculum that applies. Courses
listed below in "bold" are offered by DCB. Students
should also keep in mind that nearly all chemistry, biology,
math and physics courses are only offered in the Fall or Spring
semester, not both. Courses followed by an (*) either may not
be offered every year, or are offered based on student interest
and instructor availability. Schedules should be planned accordingly.
The total credits required for graduation is 130/131.
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First Year
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Principles
of Chemistry
Principles
of Chemistry Lab
Introductory Biology
Mathematical Analysis I/II
Physical Education
Orientation
I
University Composition
Social Science Elective
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Computers
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6 credits (Fall/Spring)
2 credits (Fall/Spring)
8 credits (Fall/Spring)
6 credits (Fall/Spring)
1 credit (Fall/Spring)
0 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Spring)
2 credits (Spring) |
| Total First Year
credits: |
34 |
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Second Year
|
Principles
of Organic Chemistry
Principles
of Organic Chemistry Lab
Physics
Intellectual Heritage
Mathematical Analysis III
Basic
Inorganic Chemistry
Mathematical Analysis IV
or
Introduction to Biostatistics
|
6 credits (Fall/Spring)
2 credits (Fall/Spring)
8 credits (Fall/Spring)
6 credits (Fall/Spring)
4 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Spring)
4 credits (Spring)
3 credits (Spring)
|
| Total Second Year
credits: |
32/33
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Third Year
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Physical
Chemistry I/II
World Culture
Analytical
Chemistry
Analytical
Chemistry Lab
Literature
of Chemistry
Molecular
Structure in Biochemistry
Intermediary
Metabolic Biochemistry
Discussions
in Chemistry
Instrumental
Analysis
Introduction to Pharmaceutics
Public Speaking
|
8 credits (Fall/Spring)
3 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Fall)
1 credit (Fall)
1 credit (Fall)
3 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Spring)
1 credit (Spring)
4 credits (Spring)
3 credits (Spring)
3 credits (Spring)
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| Total Third Year
Credits: |
33 |
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Fourth Year
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Seminar
in Chemistry
Chemistry Electives
Core Elective
Social Science
Physical
Chemistry Lab I
Structure
Activity Relationships
Pharmaceutical
Analysis
History / Literature Elective
Advanced Social Science Elective
Free Elective
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2 credits (Fall/Spring)
6 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Fall)
2 credits (Fall)
3 credits (Fall)
2 credits (Spring)
3 credits (Spring)
3 credits (Spring)
3 credits (Spring)
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| Total Fourth Year
credits: |
31 |
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