Pharmaceutical Chemistry


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

Introduction

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

Nicole Treston, (416-978-6033), chem.undergrad@utoronto.ca

Program Director: Dr. David Dubins, (416-976-5303), d.dubins@utoronto.ca

 

Regarding 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.

Arts & Science Internship Program

The new Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream is available to students entering their second year of study in Fall 2021 and enrolled in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Specialist.

  • Enrolment is limited and requires a supplemental application. Students enrolled in the ASIP stream will be required to complete mandatory Professional Development programming plus a minimum of 12 and maximum of 20 months of paid, full-time work experience. The time to degree completion for students enrolled in ASIP will normally be 5 years. There is an additional cost to participate in the ASIP stream.
     
  • Students will typically be admitted to the ASIP stream for the Fall term of Year 2 of study, however starting in Fall 2022, in exceptional circumstances students, including transfer students, who enrolled in an eligible program in the Summer after Year 2 can be admitted to the ASIP stream for the Fall of Year 3. Year 3 entry into the program requires prior approval of the Associate Chair, Undergraduate or their designate and the Experiential Learning & Outreach Support (ELOS) Office.
     
  • Further details about ASIP, including eligibility requirements and application procedures, can be found here. Students may also visit the ASIP webpage or contact the ELOS office at asip@utoronto.ca.

Note Regarding the Professional Experience Year Program (PEY)

January 2022 was the last opportunity for Faculty of Arts & Science students to register for the PEY Co-op. Students in Year 3 in the Fall/Winter 2021-2022 session were the last group of Faculty of Arts & Science students eligible to participate in PEY Co-op. Students starting Year 2 in Fall 2021 or later are only eligible to participate in the Arts & Science Internship Program stream.