A prescription for career success.
Want to create the life-saving drugs of tomorrow? Earn a chemistry degree with a difference.
As well as covering all the basics of physical, analytical, and organic chemistry, you’ll also take specialized courses like bio-based chemistry and pharmaceutical drug design.
Meanwhile, you’ll hone essential research and laboratory skills through your choice of 20+ chemistry lab courses and an independent research project in fourth year.
As a Medicinal Chemistry graduate, you’ll be equipped to design, create, and evaluate potential medications, setting the stage for a career with real impact. You'll also qualify for membership in the Canadian Society of Chemistry and the Chemical Institute of Canada.
Medicinal Chemistry admissions requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics (Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and/or Physics are recommended)
Admission averages: Low 80s
We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Physical Sciences.
How to apply
Apply to Physical Sciences and select Medicinal Chemistry as your major in first year.
First-year Medicinal Chemistry courses
September to December
January to April
After first year
What other courses will you take? Most of the classes you’ll take will be Chemistry courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View all the courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
CHEM 357 – Physical Biochemistry
CHEM 381 – Bioorganic Chemistry
CHEM 333 – Metabolism 1
CHEM 382L – Advanced Organic Synthesis Lab
Labs, such as our Analytical Chemistry Lab, will introduce you to advanced equipment and computer-assisted techniques. Your professors will bring real-world examples of chemistry to the classroom through their research and collaboration with industry.
Available as a co-op program only
Apply to Physical Sciences, select Medicinal Chemistry as your major
Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Medicinal Chemistry
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op job titles
- Discovery analyst (Pharmacology)
- Research and development technician
- Pharmaceutical R&D
- Undergraduate research assistant
- Quality control assistant analyst
- Science tutor
- Pharmacist assistant
Sample co-op employers
- Merck Frosst Canada Ltd.
- Sanofi Aventis Group
- University of Victoria
- Pfizer Inc
- Aegera Therapeutics Inc.
- NPS Pharmaceuticals
- Apotex Inc.
Qualify for membership in the Canadian Society of Chemistry
Offered by the Faculty of Science
Live in residence with other Science students in a Science Academic Cluster
Customize your degree
You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students.
What can you do with a degree in Medicinal Chemistry?
Medicinal Chemistry graduates often pursue careers in pharmacology, drug discovery and design, industrial research and development, and experimental research. Many graduates also pursue specialized master's and PhD studies.
Get insights from industry
Because our professors collaborate closely with industry, they’ll bring plenty of practical examples to your labs and lecture halls.
Build an awesome résumé
In this co-op only program, you'll gain valuable work experience in pharmaceutical companies and hospitals — and get paid for it.
Learn more about Medicinal Chemistry
- Visit the Medicinal Chemistry website
- Email our Science recruitment team, who can answer any questions about the program
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