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Studies & Degrees in Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Pharmaceuticals

The design, synthesis and biological evaluation of pharmaceuticals is the part of pharmaceutical science that deals with how a new medicine comes into being. Design means choosing a biological target and working out, often with computer models, which molecules could act on it. Synthesis is the laboratory work of making those molecules by organic chemistry. Biological evaluation tests them: first on enzymes and cells, then in animal models, to measure activity, toxicity and how the body absorbs and eliminates them. The field is better known as medicinal chemistry or drug discovery.

Students learn organic and analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular modelling, structure-activity relationships, pharmacokinetics, toxicology and the regulatory steps a candidate drug must pass. Most of the training takes place in the laboratory, and nearly every programme ends with a research project.

Qualifications and levels

This is rarely a first degree. Students normally reach it through a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry or biotechnology and specialise afterwards.

  • Bachelor's degree. In Spain official bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits, as in chemistry or biochemistry; pharmacy is longer. The Grado en Farmacia of the Universidad de Alcalá, for example, lasts 5 years and has 300 ECTS credits. In Ukraine, Bukovinian State Medical University trains pharmacists in the specialty Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy at master's level.
  • Master's degree. Official Spanish master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. One that matches this subject closely is the Máster Universitario en Descubrimiento de Fármacos, a joint degree of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the Universidad de Alcalá and the Universidad San Pablo-CEU: 60 ECTS credits, one full-time academic year, taught in Spanish and English, with 50 places in total. In other countries, look for a master's degree in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery or pharmaceutical sciences.
  • Doctorate. Independent research in drug discovery normally requires a PhD. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that chemists may need a master's degree or PhD for some jobs, such as research positions, and that medical scientists typically have a PhD.

Where to study it

Our directory currently lists one school under this subject: Bukovinian State Medical University in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. The university states that it has trained more than 35,000 specialists since 1944, and its pharmaceutical faculty has a teaching pharmacy where students practise under working conditions. Ask the university which programmes are open to international students, in which language they are taught, and how the current situation in Ukraine affects on-site teaching.

Because the category is so small, it is worth searching related subjects as well: pharmacy, pharmacology, chemistry, biochemistry and biotechnology. When comparing programmes, check whether the qualification is an official degree in its country, how much laboratory time it includes, whether the final project can be done in a pharmaceutical company or research institute, and the language of instruction. English is the working language of most research groups, so a good reading level in English is useful even when classes are in another language.

Careers

Graduates work in the research and development departments of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, in contract research organisations, in university and hospital research groups, and in regulatory agencies. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, medicinal chemists research and develop chemical compounds to create and test new drug products, and help improve manufacturing processes so that new drugs can be produced on a large scale. Drug research is team work: chemists in pharmaceutical research may work with biochemists, biophysicists or chemical engineers to develop new drugs.

The same source projects that employment of chemists and materials scientists in the United States will grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, and employment of medical scientists 13 percent over the same period. Regulatory work is another outlet: the European Medicines Agency (EMA) provides guidance and support to medicine developers, including scientific and regulatory information on how to design and run clinical trials, and companies need staff who understand those rules.

Frequently asked questions

Is this subject the same as pharmacy?

No. A pharmacy degree trains pharmacists and covers the whole life of a medicine, including dispensing and patient care. This subject concentrates on the research stage: designing, making and testing new drug molecules. Many students study pharmacy or chemistry first and specialise later.

Which degree do I need to work in drug discovery?

Usually a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry or a related science, followed by a master's degree. Research positions often require a PhD, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is there an official master's degree in drug discovery in Spain?

Yes. The Máster Universitario en Descubrimiento de Fármacos is a joint official degree of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the Universidad de Alcalá and the Universidad San Pablo-CEU, with 60 ECTS credits and teaching in Spanish and English.