Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Bachelor's degree, full-time program, dual study option)
Pharmaceutical Chemistry deals with the synthesis, analysis and modification of chemical compounds that are used as active ingredients or drugs. Pharmaceutical chemists develop chemical synthesis routes for the production of active ingredients and investigate the chemical and physical properties of these compounds to ensure their efficacy, stability and safety. Important subfields of Pharmaceutical Chemistry include:
- Drug design: the design concept and development of new molecules that have specific biological activities to later act as a drug.
- Synthetic chemistry: The development of efficient synthesis routes for the production of active ingredients, from laboratory-scale synthesis to large-scale production.
- Analytical chemistry: The development of methods for the analysis and characterization of active ingredients.
- Pharmacology: The study of the biological effects of active substances on living organisms and the elucidation of the mechanisms of action.
- Toxicology: The study of the undesirable and harmful effects of active substances on living organisms.
The aim of the Pharmaceutical Chemistry (PCH) degree course is to teach modern methods of drug design and optimization, pharmacology and, for example, the synthesis of active ingredients and modern carrier molecules for personalized active ingredients. Students learn methods of pharmaceutical analysis and quality assurance of medicinal products as well as biotechnological manufacturing processes, methods of molecular biology and genetic engineering and pharmaceutical biotechnology. The knowledge acquired enables students to produce active ingredients chemically and biotechnologically and to assess their quality.
The fields of application for graduates are broadly diversified in accordance with the training objective. They range from research and development facilities of pharmaceutical companies to their production facilities. However, the course also qualifies graduates for later employment in the food industry and biomedical fields.
The right preparation
Achievements from a first degree program and/or after a change of degree program or university and/or stays abroad that were completed at another university can be credited upon application after enrolment.
The examinations committee of the respective Department is responsible for this in consultation with the relevant Degree Program Advisor/lecturers.
Future students of Pharmaceutical Chemistry should have a general interest in the natural sciences.
This means that chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics are important foundations for the course.
Ideally, you should have chosen an advanced or basic chemistry course and/or have already learned a chemical profession, e.g. chemical laboratory technician.
Whether mathematics, chemistry or physics - our courses prepare you for a successful start to your studies. Further information
If you do not have a higher education entrance qualification, we also offer a preparatory course that will give you the opportunity to study at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences after successfully passing the test. You can find all relevant information via the following link.
Further information
If you do not have a higher education entrance qualification and would still like to study with us, you will find all the relevant information via the following link.
If possible, you should have completed a lab course lasting several weeks, ideally in the pharmaceutical industry, as ideal preparation for your studies.
If you have already completed vocational training in this field, an additional industrial placement is not necessary.
In any case, you should consider doing a lab at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. There are many opportunities to get a taste of lectures and laboratory work. Please ask us about available internships.
In May or June each year, the Campus Köthen of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences organizes a university information day.
All interested parties are cordially invited to this day to get to know the university, instructors and students as well as our degree programs. Get a personal impression of our facilities and the campus on site and receive individual advice.
The dates of the next University Information Day in Köthen and at our other locations in Dessau and Bernburg can be found here.
Study program & course content
Mathematics I
Lectures and practical courses
Engineering Informatics
Lectures and labs
Physics for Engineers
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Applied Chemistry
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Microbiology
Lectures and labs
Lecture series "Life Science Engineering"
Lectures
Mathematics II
Lectures and practical courses
Physical Chemistry
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Organic Chemistry
Lectures, practical courses and labs
General Business Administration and Marketing
Lectures and practical courses
Technical fluid mechanics
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Elective modules
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Organic Chemistry 2
Lectures and practical courses
Automation and Electrical Engineering
Lectures and labs
Fundamentals of Pharmacology
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Instrumental analysis
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Molecular biology and genetic engineering
Lectures and labs
Pharmabiochemistry
Lectures and labs
Chemical Process Engineering
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Drug Law and GMP
Lectures
Pharmaceutical Chemistry 1
Lectures and labs
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Lectures and practical courses
Elective modules
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Pharmabiotechnology
Lectures and practical courses
Pharmaceutical technology of semi-solid and liquid dosage forms
Lectures and practical courses
Quality Management
Lectures and practical courses
Pharmaceutical Chemistry 2
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Enzymology and Metabolism
Lectures and labs
Elective modules
Lectures, practical courses and labs
Information systems and drug development project
The project work can be a literature paper (theoretical) or a laboratory project (practical).
Pharmaceutical Analytics
Lectures and practical courses
Practical course inpharmaceutical analysis
Practical courses and labs
Practical course in pharmaceutical biotechnology
Practical courses and labs
Foreign language (English or German for foreign nationals with non-German higher education entrance qualification)
Practical courses
Bioanalytics
Lectures and labs
Internship with colloquium (= defense)
12 weeks
Bachelor's thesis with colloquium (= defense)
10 weeks