[thorium]

I'd like to be a medicinal chemist who is active on the laboratory so what should I study? Pharmacy or Chemistry?

Thanx!

[Mitch]

For undergraduates, usually there are only chemistry classes.

[agrobert]

Chemistry

[Mitch]

Plus, if you come to a chemistry forum, what would you expect?

[Rabn]

Biochemistry with a graduate focus on drug development should do nicely

[thorium]

So what's this guys? I really need help in here because I'm stuck between choices...

Leo H. Sternbach was born in
Austria in 1908. In 1918, after World
War I and the dissolution of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire,
Sternbach’s father moved to Krakow
in the re-created Poland and obtained
a concession to open a pharmacy. As
a pharmacist’s son, Sternbach was
accepted at the Jagiellonian
University School of Pharmacy,
where he received both a master’s
degree in pharmacy and a Ph.D. in
chemistry. With discrimination
against Jewish scientists growing in
Eastern Europe in 1937, Sternbach
moved to Switzerland to work with
Ru i ka (p. 000) at the ETH
(the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology). In 1941, Hoffmann–
LaRoche brought Sternbach and
several other scientists out of Europe.
Sternbach became a research chemist
at LaRoche’s U.S. headquarters in
Nutley, New Jersey, where he later
became director of medicinal
chemistry.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanx!

[enahs]

A couple of things. Times are different now. You are talking about one of the largest business in the world, and the most highly regulated business in the world. Also, most/virtually all of the simples problems have been solved. Modern research in this area requires collaboration. I do not see in this time period capturing some of the same "success", as there are too many financial and regulatory obstacles, as well as the much more complex nature of the research now (which is also now harder due to more regulations).


I really see chemistry/biochemistry/medicinal chemistry as your better track. You said :

active on the laboratory

The only laboratory experience you get in a Pharmacy School is from the Chemistry classes you take.

Obviously just studying chemistry will not lead you to where you want, but there are many graduate programs for Medicinal Chemistry out there that will get you where you want.

That is my opinion anyway.

[Alpha-Omega]

There is an excellent graduate program in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at UIC in Chicago.  Generally speaking you study Chemstry - General Overall Program...stronger the degree the better...with ACS and AIC Certification...or even double major undergrad...like I did....then you specialize in grad school...you pick an area to focus on....

BTW;  anything you get a minor in you can get an MS in....I know people with a BS and 3 MS Degrees...so has to be your choice...and if you land a job with a good company...TUITION REIMBURSEMENT....is a perk to look forward to....