The core curriculum focuses on a combination of synthetic organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology courses. Specialized, in-depth electives are offered in these areas. The program develops students knowledge of medicinal chemistry through design, synthesis, pharmacological, and profiling of novel pharmacotherapeutics as applied to helping solve unmet medical needs.<br>For this purpose, many program graduates have established research careers in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. Undergraduate prerequisites are general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry or cell/molecular biology.<br>Graduates of the Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery program often work in chemistry labs synthesizing new chemical matter as potential drugs. Some graduates from the department have established careers as independent: Industry scientists and administrators (Big Pharma, biotech), Clinical laboratory staff Academic biomedical researchers, Science teaching faculty, Medical liaison specialists<br>Pharmaceutical product representatives, Medical writers