The Graduate Program in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Minnesota has been awarding Ph.D degrees to students for over seventy-five years. The program has a long and distinguished history of being among the top medicinal chemistry programs in the country. A distinguishing characteristic of the program is its highly diverse faculty who offer students a wide range of choices with regard to areas of research that they can undertake as their Ph.D. thesis projects.
During the first two years, all students take core program coursework that involves a one- and one-half year sequence in medicinal chemistry, a one-year sequence in advanced organic chemistry, and a one-year sequence in advanced biochemistry. In addition to this core curriculum, students have the opportunity to add courses of their own choosing in order to expand their interests and competency in such supporting fields as biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or other related areas.
The first year includes an introduction to the research activities of the graduate faculty and a rotation through the laboratories of three faculty members. By the middle of the second semester students will have selected a thesis advisor and begun to formulate a thesis problem and begin their research.
Students begin taking cumulative examinations that constitute the written portion of the Ph.D. preliminary examination during the first year of the program. Upon successful completion of their coursework and the cumulative examinations, students take the oral preliminary examination. The oral preliminary examination consists of the oral defense of a written original research proposal that the student has developed. After passing the oral preliminary exam, the student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree and focuses on his/her thesis research. Following completion of the research project and the dissertation, students present a public seminar and a final oral defense of their thesis research. The entire program usually takes four to five years for completion.
Graduate Student Recruitment Weekends
Upon acceptance into the program, prospective graduate students are invited to visit the Department on one of two weekends. During these weekends, students will have an opportunity to interact with faculty and current students, and tour the wealth of Departmental and University facilities, campus, and the Twin Cities. Attendance is highly recommended for prospective students, however, special arrangements can be made in the event of scheduling conflicts.
For 2008, The Medicinal Chemistry Graduate Student Recruitment Weekend dates are February 15-17 and March 7–9. Mark your calendars and check back here for more information! Additional information will also be sent to prospective students by email and mail upon acceptance into the program.
