History of Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Development

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This class constitutes a survey of the history of medicinal chemistry and drug development. The course will begin by briefly looking at ancient medicines of the antiquity and middle-ages before highlighting the modern-era discovery of groundbreaking drugs and medicinal practices and culminate with an outlook on both industrial and academic research structure. Various drug classes, their structures features and mechanisms of action will be discussed at a level that requires organic chemistry 1 (but not biochemistry) as a prerequisite. This includes a unit on pharmacology & toxicology where students will learn how to assess both the safety and efficacy of drugs. The processes governing modern day pharmaceutical drug development and the different phases of clinical research will also be discussed in this context. This course is recommended for pre-medical students or students pursuing careers in the health sector as well as Chemistry students interested in a career in drug development. This is a study abroad course that will be taught in Germany during Summer 2025. Lectures will be supplemented with field trips to various science and medicine museums/sites of interest and tours of research and development of German Pharmaceutical companies in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. See syllabus for details.