Drug, Discovery and Safety

Program Description

Why study Drug Discovery and Safety at VU Amsterdam?
Developing new drugs is a complex process that requires real specialists who are excellent team players. The Master’s programme provides you with broad theoretical knowledge of the first phases of drug discovery and development with an emphasis on chemistry and molecular interactions. Your chosen specialization and research project will make you a theoretical and practical expert in one of these areas. Drug Discovery and Safety is a one-of-a-kind programme at the intersection of chemistry and life sciences.

STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME
In this Master’s programme, you will examine drug discovery and safety from a range of disciplines: chemistry, pharmacology, medicine, genetics and toxicology. This multidisciplinary approach is essential in tackling the diseases of tomorrow and developing the drugs of the future. Drug Discovery and Safety starts with introductory courses on chemical biology, ADME processes, drug action, computational design and synthesis of drugs. You will take advanced courses in one of five specializations, write a thesis and carry out your own research project in one of our internationally renowned research groups at the Department of Chemistry and
Pharmaceutical Sciences within the brand new O|2 laboratory building. You can also opt for an internship abroad or our Double Degree Programme in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen.

Highlights

The Master’s programme in Drug Discovery and Safety is a unique education: it resides at the intersection of chemistry and life sciences. This Master’s provides you on one hand with broad theoretical knowledge on all aspects of drug discovery and development, through a number of introduction and advanced courses. On the other hand, you become a real expert in one of the drug discovery and development aspects with the specialization you chose.

What`s Included

The Master's programme in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year programme worth 120 ECs. During this time, you will take compulsory courses in your chosen specialization, plus a number of optional courses. Your own laboratory research is an important part of the program, which you perform in one of the participating research groups.

Within the Master's programme you choose one of five specializations:
•Drug Discovery and Target Finding (Molecular Pharmacology)
•Drug Disposition and Safety Assessment (Molecular Toxicology)
•Drug Design and Synthesis
•Computational Medicinal Chemistry and Toxicology
•Biomarkers and Clinical Chemical Analysis