Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry
Join an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis in medicinal chemistry, where you'll engage in cutting-edge research focused on developing new therapeutics for various diseases. Play a key role in advancing drug discovery and innovation.
About this Emphasis
If you're passionate about the intersection of chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutical sciences, our Ph.D. program in Medicinal Chemistry offers unparalleled research opportunities in this interdisciplinary field. Medicinal Chemistry plays a pivotal role in drug discovery, focusing on the design, synthesis, and analysis of biologically active compounds, with an emphasis on understanding how they function at the molecular level and the relationship between their structure and activity.
Our program provides a rich environment for advanced research and graduate education, centered on developing novel drugs and identifying groundbreaking biological targets to combat critical health challenges, including cancer, malaria, central nervous system disorders, and infectious diseases. With access to cutting-edge research in areas such as asymmetric organic synthesis, computational drug design, high-throughput synthesis, biological evaluation, and assay development, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in transformative projects.
We are committed to equipping our Ph.D. students with the expertise and experience necessary to become leaders in pharmaceutical sciences. Whether you envision a career in academia or industry, you’ll be part of a community of innovators advancing the future of medicine through impactful research.
About Pharmaceutical Sciences
Do you want to be involved in the development of new medicine? Want to conduct new and exciting research? Then, a degree in pharmaceutical sciences is for you.
At the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, you won't just learn from our team of faculty and researchers. You will work alongside them and help explore the future of health and medicine.
We offer various disciplines, from environmental toxicology to pharmacy administration. Join us and find the right path for you.
Being an Ole Miss Pharmacy graduate student allows you to be part of a diverse community that is comprehensive in scope yet relatively small in size. This provides an excellent opportunity for advanced studies in a supportive and nurturing environment.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Doctorate Program
Area of Study
Health and Social Services
Pharmacy
Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology
School
Duration
4 - 6 Years
Degree
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Program Location
Emphases
Medicinal Chemistry
Required Credit Hours
54 Hours
Medicinal Chemistry Program Details
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
MINIMUM TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 54
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The respective program description sections provide requirements for each emphasis area. Students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework and 18 hours of dissertation.
Emphasis - Medicinal Chemistry
GOALS/MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, is to apply chemistry and related sciences to the teaching of professional pharmacy students and graduate students. The department's research mission is the discovery, design, analysis, and further development of potential drugs and potential drug design targets.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The course requirements for the Ph.D. with emphasis in medicinal chemistry consist of:
- Graduate Student Survival Strategies (BMS 601) (2 hours);
- Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I (Medc 501) (3 hours);
- Organic Chemistry of Drug Synthesis (Medc 507) (3 hours);
- Problems in Medicinal Chemistry (Medc 541/542) (1 hour);
- Medc/Phcg/BMS courses 600/700 level (12 hours);
- Elective courses 500/600/700 level (6 hours);
- Original Research Proposal (BMS 605) (1 hour).
Seminar Requirement
Students are required to register for BMS 643 (Z-grade) every semester, with the exception of those semesters in which the student presents a seminar and instead registers for BMS 641 (graded). No more than 8 seminar hours can be used toward the 54 minimum total credit hours.
A minimum of 18 hours of dissertation research must also be taken to meet degree requirements.
OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Original Research Proposal
A student must prepare, submit, and successfully (orally) defend an original research proposal (ORP). Procedures for this requirement will be provided by the department. Students will register for BMS 605 (Original Research Proposal BioMolecular Sciences) in the semester they anticipate defending their ORP.
MALTO Presentation
All graduate students in the Ph.D. program will be required to present their original research in the form of a podium presentation at one of the annual MALTO Medicinal Chemistry Meetings-in- Miniature.
Dissertation
A student must prepare and orally defend a dissertation based on original, independent research in partial fulfillment of their Ph.D. degree.
The deadlines for application are:
- Fall: February 1
- Spring: October 1
All applications must be made via the UM Graduate School’s online application procedure.
All application materials must be submitted only through the UM Graduate School’s online application system. Application materials should not be sent directly to the department. The following items must be included in the online application:
- Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from a faculty member in the applicant’s major study area. The letter writers will need to submit their letters themselves through the online system.
- A statement of purpose
- Undergraduate/graduate transcript(s). Please arrange for the official transcript(s) to be sent directly from your university to the graduate school. Only the graduate school can post the transcript(s) to the application system.
It is also possible to submit supporting documentation through the UM Graduate School’s online application system, such as:
- List of publications
- Research interest areas
- Prior work experiences relevant to biomolecular sciences
Please arrange for the IELTS/TOEFL score to be sent to the graduate school. The institutional code for the University of Mississippi is 1840, and the department code for the TOEFL is 99. A GRE score is NOT required for admission.
Medicinal Chemistry Research
As a graduate student in the BioMolecular Sciences (BMS) programs, you’ll thrive in a collaborative environment focused on improving health and quality of life through innovative research. Our programs emphasize both basic and applied research, offering many pathways to explore cutting-edge solutions for global health challenges.
Did You Know?
internationally-recognized research centers are housed in the School of Pharmacy and located on the Oxford campus.
publications authored by School of Pharmacy researchers in 2023.
DIRECT Program
The Diversifying Interdisciplinary Research Expertise through Community Building and Training (DIRECT) Program is a National Institutes of Health funded program offering financial, technical, operational, and professional resources for Ph.D. students interested in careers in the biomedical field. DIRECT trainees receive annual stipends, fully paid tuition, health insurance, conference travel support, and childcare cost reimbursement. The program emphasizes cohort building, mentoring, networking, and skill development.
Meet the Program Coordinator
If you have any questions about the Medicinal Chemistry emphasis, don't hesitate to reach out!
Jing Li
Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Research Assistant Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?