Medicinal Chemistry

Specialisation of: Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences
Degree: Master of Science in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: Flexible
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60207
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The Master’s specialisation in Medicinal Chemistry comprises both compulsory and optional elements. The compulsory components are two research projects, both of which include writing a master’s thesis. The main research project must be within the discipline of medicinal chemistry. The minor research project should preferably be in a different discipline of bio-pharmaceutical sciences. Other compulsory components are: a literature study, including the writing of an essay or thesis, the attending of two advanced lecture series in disciplines of BPS, the attending of the course Scientific Conduct, and the attending of twenty lectures and colloquia presented by other master’s students in BPS. The optional elements can be chosen from supplementary courses offered or may take the form of a work placement.

Programme

The strength of the Master of Science programme is its individual approach: an individually tailored programme will be designed for each student. The key element of this programme is research, embedded in one or two research projects chosen by the students themselves, which include practical laboratory work and writing one or two master’s theses.

It is possible to take the Science-Based Business Fundamentals course of the Science-Based Business specialisation.

e-Prospectus Medicinal Chemistry

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Prof. Meindert Danhof

“LACDR’s research is focused on the development of new strategies for the discovery and development of new medicines.”

“The MSC in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences focuses on the discovery and development of new medicines, and as such is unique in the world. The study is directly linked to the research programme of the Leiden Amsterdam Center for Drug Research (LACDR), which is regarded worldwide as one of the opinion-leaders in the field of innovative drug research.

The discovery and development of new medicines is important because for many serious diseases there are still no effective treatments available. The development of new medicines still constitutes a great challenge. At the moment the likelihood of producing an effective new drug is quite limited: of all the medicines tested on humans, only 8% actually reach the patient.

Moreover, it takes a long time to develop such medicines: 10 – 15 years on average. This means that the costs of developing a new medicine can be as much as Euro 1 billion. LACDR’s research is focused on the development of new strategies for the discovery and development of new medicines.

A further distinctive aspect of this master’s programme is the intensive co-operation with the international pharmaceutical industry. We also participate in the Top Institute Pharma (TI Pharma). We offer our students many opportunities to gain experience through work placements in the research departments of pharmaceutical companies.”