Drug Design

Earn an Experiential Certificate in: Drug Design

Description

The Wilson Medical  Institute offers an Experiential Certificate in Drug Design. The drug design certificate supports students interested in pursuing medical research with the attention to detail, time management, and problem solving skills needed for a career in research. This certificate pairs biology and biochemistry coursework with practical hands-on research opportunities through FURSCA and off-campus partnerships. Students begin this program by participating in purpose workshops before starting formal content below.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

  • Understand the underlying molecular mechanisms for major categories of disease.
  • Know the major targets for drug design and the most common strategies that may be used to target each.
  • Develop proficiency in at least one laboratory method for the development of drugs (synthetic chemistry, directed evolution, CRISPR, etc.)
  • Be able to read and interpret primary research publications related to drug development.

Purpose Courses

Students will choose academic courses through Albion College in consultation with their certificate advisor. Courses should introduce issues relevant to Drug Design. 

Courses include CHEM 352 and any combination of the following recommended courses. Other courses may be approved by the Director of the Wilson Institute for Medicine.

  • CHEM 337: Biochemistry
  • CHEM321: Advanced Synthesis Laboratory
  • CHEM 323: Advanced Lab Biochemistry
  • CHEM 351: Biophysical Chemistry
  • BIOL 341: Physiology
  • BIOL 332: Microbiology
  • BIOL 371: Pathophysiology
  • BIOL 372: Immunology
  • PSYC 247:Drugs, Brain, & Behavior

Professional Development

Professional development hours can be fulfilled through any relevant Albion College training including workshops and innovation badges offered through the School for Public Purpose and Professional Advancement and college programs. External certifications and professional training offered by third party providers may also be approved by SPP staff.  

Professional development opportunities include, but are not limited to: 

  • Workshops, primarily offered through the Wilson Institute for Medicine and programs within SPP
  • Guest speakers 
  • FURSCA workshops
  • Professional development via research societies (American Chemical Society, etc.)

Experiential Learning

Students will design or select the appropriate number of experiential learning hours, including community engaged experiential learning hours, for their catalog year.

Experiential learning opportunities include, but are not limited to: 

  • Research: On-campus FURSCA, etc.
  • Research: Off-campus (REU, other opportunities)
  • Co-op placement
  • Internship at The Philadelphia Center in area related to drug design

This program promotes student and staff/faculty interaction through group discussions. Program objectives are evaluated through pre and post assessments and student reflections. 

Interested in earning this Experiential Certificate? Please contact Maggie Godfrey by email at [email protected].