Medicinal Chemistry (Co-op only)
- About
- Beyond the classroom
- First year courses
- Upper year courses
- Co-op
- Beyond University of Waterloo
- Important information
About
Medicinal Chemistry is the science of drug discovery. You'll be trained as a chemist with additional skills appropriate for careers in the design, synthesis, and evaluation of potential drug candidates. Leading researchers in the Canadian Pharmaceutical sector clearly indicated a need for a program that provides a specific skill set. You'll be uniquely qualified for exciting positions in a rapidly evolving industry. You'll qualify for membership in the Canadian Society of Chemistry and the Chemical Institute of Canada.
Beyond the classroom
Take advantage of state-of-the-art labs and real world connections as you prepare for a career in the expanding industrial and corporate environments
First year courses
Leading-edge labs, such as our Analytical Chemistry Lab, will introduce you to advanced equipment and computer-assisted techniques. To complete your learning experience, your professors will bring real-world examples of chemistry to the classroom through their research and collaboration with industry.
At Waterloo, you'll get the strongest possible grounding in chemistry, with comprehensive courses starting right from first year.
First-year courses you'll take:
| fall term (1A) | winter term (1B) |
|---|---|
| CHEM120/120L Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter | CHEM123/123L Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics |
| MATH127 Calculus 1 | CHEM140 Introduction to Scientific Calculations (formerly CHEM 140L) |
| PHYS121/121L Mechanics, Wave Motion and Heat 1 | MATH128 Calculus 2 |
| Two electives | PHYS122/122L Physics 2 |
| Two Electives |
Upper year courses
Here is a list of some of our upper-year courses in medicinal chemistry.
- Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry
- Fundamentals of Metabolism
- Rational Design of Potential Drug Candidates
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry
- Advanced Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
- Physical Biochemistry
- Chemical Kinetics
- Chemical Thermodynamics
- Advanced Biochemistry Lab
Detailed list of all chemistry courses.
Find out what courses you will be taking in your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years (including specializations).
Co-op
What is co-op?
In the second term of your second year, you are able to begin a co-op job. You will complete 4 months of co-op, then return for 4 months of school. This pattern will continue the rest of your stay at University of Waterloo. More information on co-op.
Co-op students at work
- Organic Chemist, Merck Frosst Canada
- Quality Asurance, Apotex
- Research Assistant, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Synthetic Organic Chemist, AstraZeneca Research and Development
To see what other jobs students have had, click here.
Medicinal Chemistry co-op earnings
| work term | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| earnings/week (avg $) | 545 | 585 | 619 | 661 | 673 |
Beyond University of Waterloo
Because our Medicinal Chemistry program emphasizes research and computer skills, employers find that our students are valuable team members who quickly learn new techniques and who are able to quickly problem solve.
What our grads are doing now
- Applied Research Scientist, MDS Sciex
- Inorganic Technician, Environmental Enforcement Services
- Analytical Chemist, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
- Software Designer, AES Data Inc.
- Chemist, Allelix Biopharmaceuticals
See what other careers our graduates are following.
Important information
For information on admission requirements, financing and housing.
