Biomed to Chem

Just wondering how high is the chance/ is it common for uni graduates from a biomed background who did modules that is closer to the chem side(pharmacy, pharmacology, ish) to transfer to medicinal chem/ org chem master?

I understand there's a knowledge gap between the two areas, but is it possible for the transformation directly without doing a second degree?

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

I honestly really doubt it would be possible to move into chemistry with just some pharmacology modules. There's a big gap between that and the kind of detailed content covered in a chemistry degree, not only for the organic chemistry content but also relevant parts of physical chemistry and inorganic or biological chemistry depending on the particular topics. I think you're underestimating the gap between the two.

It might be easiest to just test yourself - grab a graduate organic chemistry textbook and see how you fare with it. That's probably the standard you'll be expected to enter in. Apparently Advanced Organic Chemistry by Carey and Sundberg is a typical one? You can probably find other examples though, the principles apply to any graduate level textbook.

Alternatively look at contemporary journal articles in organic chemistry and synthesis as you'd probably be expected to lucidly read those and integrate them into research work you're doing for a dissertation. See how well you understand the chemistry in them (albeit these might be more challenging even for masters level chemistry students at times).