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Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Collaborative Program of the Faculty of Arts & Science and the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Chemistry combines knowledge of the biological, medical, and physical sciences in the study of drug therapy. The emphasis is on the chemical nature of the reactions and interactions involved in drug therapy. The students will receive a solid background in the facets of chemistry the most relevant to drugs: physical, organic, and analytical chemistry. They will also learn the fundamental aspects of the synthesis, manufacture, use, and mode of action of drugs.

Undergraduate Office – General Enquiries:Linda Chung, (416-978-2162), l.chung@utoronto.ca

Program Director: Dr. Rob Macgregor, (416-978-7332) rob.macgregor@utoronto.ca

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Programs

Pharmaceutical Chemistry combines knowledge of the biological, medical and physical sciences in the study of the scientific aspect of drug therapy. The emphasis is on the chemical nature of the reactions and interactions involved in drug therapy.

This program is offered jointly by the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Arts and Science.   Students in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Specialist program will receive a solid background in physical, organic and analytical chemistry, and will also learn the fundamental aspects of the synthesis, manufacture, use and mode of action of drugs.  The fourth-year project course gives students direct involvement in research.  

We also offer an internship in which qualified students may spend 12 or 16 months working at a pharmaceutical company or research lab.  This is a project-based, paid employment placement that takes place between the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. It provides the student with an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the first three years of university to private- or public-sector settings. Placements are available in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research labs, university-affiliated organizations, or government research agencies.

This is a limited enrolment POSt.  Eligibility is based on a student’s mark(s) in the required course(s).  The precise mark thresholds outlined below are an estimate of what will be required in the coming POSt admission cycle.   

While it is difficult to predict what will be competitive course marks and average in a given year,  based on previous years, the estimate is: course marks =  mid 70s ; average = high 70s.

Achieving these estimated marks does not guarantee admission to the subject POSt in any given year.

Visit the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Program web site for updated information about requirements, course offerings, and events: http://pharmacy.utoronto.ca/programs/pharmchem/curriculum.htm.

(13.0 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

NOTE: Some of the courses listed below may have prerequisites.

First Year:
BIO120H1, BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO230H1; (CHM220H1,CHM221H1)/CHM225Y1; CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PHC230H1

Third Year:
CHM217H1; PCL201H1; PHC230H1 (2012-13 only); PHC300H1; PHC301H1; PHC320H1; PHC330H1; PHC340Y1

Fourth Year:
1. PHC489Y1
2. Two full course equivalents from:CHM317H1; CHM342H1; CHM347H1; CHM379H1; CHM410H1; CHM414H1; CHM417H1; PCL362H1; PHC331H1; PHC401H1; PHC331H1; PHC420H1, PHC421H1, PHC422H1; PHC430H1; PHC431H1; PHC451H1; PHC452H1; PHC460H1; PHC462H1, PSL300H1; PSL301H1

Note that not all of the 400-series PHC courses are offered every academic year.
We also offer an optional 12- or 16-month internship program to qualified students. This is a project-based, paid employment placement that takes place between the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. It provides the student with an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the first three years of university to private- or public-sector settings. Placements are available in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research labs, university-affiliated organizations, or government research agencies.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Courses

The 199Y1 and 199H1 seminars are designed to provide the opportunity to work closely with an instructor in a class of no more than twenty-four students. These interactive seminars are intended to stimulate the students’ curiosity and provide an opportunity to get to know a member of the professorial staff in a seminar environment during the first year of study. Details here.

An introduction to the key concepts in the design, manufacture, and use of efficatious dosage forms. The course covers the characteristics of different delivery routes.

 Structural and mechanistic determinants of drug action at the molecular level. Topics include the physicalchemical properties of drugs per se  as they relate to therapeutic intervention and the biophysical and biochemical properties of enzymes and nucleic acids that underlie and are affected by their interactions with drugs.

Structural and mechanistic determinants of drug action via macromolecules that effect cellular signalling. Neurohumoral receptors and other signalling proteins are grouped according to their structure and mechanism of action. Native properties and their modulation by drugs are discussed in the context of basic principles of molecular pharmacology.

Modern discovery and synthesis of antibiotics, antineoplastics, antiviral and other therapeutic agents.

This course presents a detailed examination of the material properties of pharmaceuticals and the role of cellular processes in delivery of a drug to its site of action.

Introduction to human clinical trial design for the demonstration of pharmaceutical bioequivalence of drug products. Students will learn the principles underlying the regulations and methods employed in bioequivalence studies.

The scientific basis and practical techniques relevant to modern pharmaceutical development.

The goal of this course is to provide students with knowledge of the molecular processes involved in drug transport across biological cell membranes with emphasis on their physiological and clinical significance.

This course shows students the links between basic science and the drugs used therapeutically to treat clinical problems.

This course will consider many of the topics presented in the first half in much greater detail including a rigorous examination of the interpretation of experimental data. This course is intended for students whose research or interest is in the thermodynamics of biological molecules.

This course will consider many of the topics presented in the first half in much greater detail including a rigorous examination of the interpretation of experimental data. This course is intended for students whose research or interest is in the thermodynamics of biological molecules. (Not offered in 2011-2012).

Introduction to controlled drug delivery: Mechanisms and kinetics of controlled drug release. Fundamental theories and mathematical tools for the design of modern dosage forms. Development and applications of controlled drug delivery dosage forms.

 In-depth discussion of implementation of pharmaceutical sciences in drug development strategies. Students will apply fundamental principles of pharmaceutics and drug delivery to current problems in the pharmaceutical industry.

Presents use of radiopharmaceuticals in diagnosis and therapy, emphasizing those used in nuclear medicine procedures studying neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, haematologic, endocrine and bone pathology.

Introduces nuclear pharmacy through the discussion of problems that explain the design, production, analysis, and the clinical use of radiopharmaceuticals. Topics introduced using group discussions and laboratory exercises.

Lectures by scientists from academia and industry, and student seminars based on journal articles dealing with strategies for discovering new drugs for therapy and diagnosis.

This course is designed to broaden student’s understanding of the development and licensing of new drugs and how scientific principles, ethics, governmental regulations and commercial considerations are coordinated for designing clinical trails. The format involves lectures, group discussion and student presentations.

This course will provide research experience under the supervision of a Departmental staff member. The goal is to deepen the student’s understanding of the scientific basis and practical techniques relevant to modern pharmaceutical development.