Online Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry – Medicinal Chemistry

The online Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with a concentration in medicinal chemistry degree teaches you about the chemical reactions of living organisms. You'll explore how medicine influences human health at the molecular and atomic levels. The program provides an in-depth understanding of chemical and drug synthesis. You’ll be prepared for health-related graduate studies and diverse careers in medicine, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 42

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 120

Degree questions, answered.

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What is medicinal chemistry?

Medicinal chemistry is a field focused on the research and development of drugs and pharmaceuticals. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to natural science, combining biology, chemistry and pharmacology. Medicinal chemists investigate chemical compounds to discover new drugs, refine current medicines and develop more effective manufacturing processes at scale.

The Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with a concentration in medicinal chemistry degree can ignite your passion for treating diseases. You’ll explore the fundamentals of biological systems from the molecular perspective. You'll discover how these systems play a role in the context of health science from the initial diagnosis to bioengineering treatment.

As a medicinal chemistry student, you’ll learn about the chemical reactions of living organisms in the context of medicine. Through hands-on experimentation, you’ll apply the principles of biochemistry to the design of medicines. You’ll build critical thinking and problem-solving skills to position you for success in health-related graduate schools and careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.

What do medicinal chemistry concentration students study?

 

You’ll take courses in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and medicinal chemistry. These courses will provide a foundation in biomolecules and the mechanisms of cellular function. With a concentration in medicinal chemistry, you’ll also learn how to apply chemical and biochemical thinking to the design and function of medicines.

In the medicinal chemistry degree concentration program, you have a unique opportunity to earn a natural science degree online. You’ll take lecture-style courses and virtual labs online, some of which include eScience lab kits delivered to your door. You must also complete in-person lab courses for organic chemistry and biochemistry. These occur in an accelerated format that takes place in less than two weeks. These required lab courses add critical legitimacy to your online medicinal chemistry degree.

Note: You may complete lab courses at an approved accredited institution near you, but course equivalencies aren’t guaranteed. We recommend you work with your advisor on transferring credits to meet degree requirements.

Advance your career in drug research and development

 

The bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a concentration in medicinal chemistry provides excellent preparation for advanced graduate study and careers. Medicinal chemistry students are positioned to be competitive applicants to many academic and professional health graduate programs, including medical, physician assistant, dental and pharmacy schools. Graduates of these programs can pursue a range of careers in diverse industries. These include drug design, pharmaceuticals, medicine, health, research, food production and more.

As an online student, you’ll have access to academic, career and pre-health advisors who will support your success in the program. You’ll receive advising tailored to health-related graduate school pathways as well as career options available to biochemistry graduates. Advisors will also provide guidance about research experiences, clinical internships and community service opportunities near your home.

For more information about pre-health education at ASU, please visit our pre-health website.

Will my diploma say ‘online’?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”

Take a look inside the accelerated, in-person lab experience for online medicinal chemistry students.

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What do you learn in a medicinal chemistry degree concentration?

You’ll take a range of courses and labs in the medicinal chemistry program. These include biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, medicinal chemistry and more. The medicinal chemistry coursework will give you a wide range of skills, including technical lab competencies, communication, reasoning, problem-solving, scientific writing and more.


CHM 433: Advanced Organic Chemistry I


CHM 435: Medicinal Chemistry


BCH 341: Physical Chemistry with a Biological Focus


BCH 461: General Biochemistry


BCH 462: General Biochemistry


BCH 463: Biophysical Chemistry


BCH 467: Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory (L)


CHM 113: General Chemistry I (SCIT OR SQ)


Medicinal chemistry jobs

As a graduate of the medicinal chemistry degree concentration program, you’ll be positioned as a competitive applicant to many academic and professional health graduate programs. Further study will prepare you for careers in medicine, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. You’ll also have the expertise to pursue a range of careers in science and health. Browse your potential career titles below.

Dentist


Growth: 4.4 %
Salary: $155,040

High School Teacher


Growth: 1.0 %
Salary: $62,360

Medical Doctor (MD)


Growth: 2.5 %
Salary: $214,460

Medical Lab Technician


Growth: 4.9 %
Salary: $57,380

Medical Scientist


Growth: 9.8 %
Salary: $99,930

Optometrists


Growth: 8.8 %
Salary: $125,590

Pharmacist


Growth: 2.6 %
Salary: $132,750

Physician Assistant (PA)


Growth: 26.5 %
Salary: $126,010

Scientist/Biochemist


Growth: 6.7 %
Salary: $103,810

Gain insight from scholars in biochemistry at the School of Molecular Sciences

The School of Molecular Sciences is a unit of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Our faculty includes the best in their respective fields. They have an international reputation for interdisciplinary work and scientific publishing that extends beyond the traditional boundaries of chemistry and biochemistry. Our highly regarded awards, publications and rankings include:

  • Academic Innovator of the Year.
  • Air Force Young Investigator awardees.
  • Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship winners.
  • Fulbright American Scholars.
  • Guggenheim Fellows and MacArthur Fellows.
  • Regents’ Professors and President's Professors.
  • Ranked in the Top 10 of journal citations worldwide among biochemistry departments.
  • Several National Science Foundation and Department of Education Career awardees.

Gain insight from scholars in biochemistry at the School of Molecular Sciences

The School of Molecular Sciences is a unit of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Our faculty includes the best in their respective fields. They have an international reputation for interdisciplinary work and scientific publishing that extends beyond the traditional boundaries of chemistry and biochemistry. Our highly regarded awards, publications and rankings include:

  • Academic Innovator of the Year.
  • Air Force Young Investigator awardees.
  • Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship winners.
  • Fulbright American Scholars.
  • Guggenheim Fellows and MacArthur Fellows.
  • Regents’ Professors and President's Professors.
  • Ranked in the Top 10 of journal citations worldwide among biochemistry departments.
  • Several National Science Foundation and Department of Education Career awardees.

How to get into a medicinal chemistry degree concentration

I am a future

You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.

Learn how to apply.

Competency requirements

Additional admission requirements

High school equivalency

Homeschool

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

Discover medicinal chemistry from the largest college at ASU

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to be socially aware, critical thinkers and global citizens.

25,500+


currently enrolled students.

$140 million


in research expenditures in 2018.

23


interdisciplinary schools and departments.

95+


undergraduate degrees.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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