Master in Medicinal and Biopharmaceutical Chemistry

Pharmaceutical Chemistry, a core subject of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the drug discovery and development pathway. Named Medicinal Chemistry in the Anglo-Saxon and Northern Europe and Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the countries of southern and central Europe, it is internationally recognized as a transversal subject able to integrate many knowledge areas as Chemistry, Biology or Pharmacology, aiming at the development of new therapeutic agents based on their mechanisms of action and molecular targets. In Portugal, Pharmaceutical Chemistry has acquired an increasing importance as a cutting-edge research area with scientific work recognized through publications in prestigious international journals, international collaborations and Masters/PhD advanced training.

The Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, was the first Portuguese institution to offer postgraduate training in this area, through the Master Course in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry. Aiming at adapting the Master program to the new Pharmaceutical Chemistry paradigms, the Course is currently named Master in Medicinal and Biopharmaceutical Chemistry.

Specific aims:

• To provide knowledge of the general methodology for drug synthesis;
• To understand the impact of metabolism and pharmacokinetics in drug design;
• To highlight the importance of molecular modeling in the discovery and design of new drugs;
• To provide the basic methodology of structural identification, using spectroscopic methods;
• To provide new research strategies for discovering drug leads from plant derived-bioactive compounds;

• To provide knowledge in Biological Chemistry that allow functionalization of biomolecules;
• To provide methodologies, in drug discovery and development, for target Identification and diagnostics;
• To apply the knowledge described above, in an integrated manner, towards the study of specific groups of drugs, focusing on the current state of knowledge and the problems to be solved;
• To stimulate critical reading of scientific literature;
• To provide an introduction to scientific research in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

Teaching Language

Should a non-Portuguese speaking applicant be admitted, classes are taught in English. The course contents and materials are often in English.

Francisca da Conceição Lopes

ECTS
120 ECTS:

60 – correspond to the first two semesters.

60 – correspond to the Seminar and Dissertation.

Duration
2 academic years / 4 semesters

Regime
After-work

• Curricular Plan
• Curriculum published in Diário da República (Official Gazette of Portugal).

Accreditation

Accrediting body

Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education — A3ES

Process reference

ACEF/2122/0517922

Publication date

06/10/2023

Accreditation period

6 years

Accreditation date

31/07/2022

Registration

Responsible authority

Directorate General for Higher Education — DGES

Registration number

R/A-Ef 1958/2011/AL01

Data do registo

07/02/2019

Registration date07/02/2019

Documents

Pharmaceutical Industry:

• The Master in Medicinal and Biopharmaceutical Chemistry (MQMB) provides advanced training for employment in the Pharmaceutical Industry, namely in areas related to drug development.

Satellite areas:

• This MSc Course also provides relevant training in other areas, such as quality control and Biotechnology.

Research Institutes and Academia:

• Integration in Medicinal Chemistry research teams and/or enrolment in a PhD program are also important options.

The classes take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.

2026/2027

• Schedule 1st and 2nd Year
• Calendar

Full-time general student

National Students
Annual fee: 1.100 € (1.st year) | 1.100 € (2.nd year)

International students
Annual fee: 3.250,00 € (1.st year) | 3.750,00 € (2.nd year)

Consult associated documentation

2024/2025

Academic Success

95,8%

Pass rate

(Passed/assessed — academic year 2024/2025)
Source: FenixEdu, April 2026

4,2%

Failure rate

(Failed/assessed — academic year 2024/2025)
Source: FenixEdu, April 2026

Employability

100%

Employability indicator*

Graduates from 2019/20 to 2023/24

* Calculated as the difference from the percentage of graduates registered as unemployed with the IEFP.
This does not represent an employment rate.

0%

Registered unemployment rate with the IEFP, referring to graduates from 2019/20 to 2023/24

Source: DGEEC, data from June 2025 (2026 edition)

Additional indicators

View more indicators on the InfoCursos Portal

Postgraduate Studies Office: mestrados@ff.ulisboa.pt