M.Pharm.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry



Offered at: Pilani

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Advancing Innovation in Drug Design and Development


The M.Pharm. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at BITS Pilani builds on the institute’s long-standing excellence in pharmaceutical sciences. This two-year programme has a particular emphasis on emerging fields such as medicinal chemistry, computer-aided drug design, analytical chemistry and retrosynthetic analysis. Students are taught the chemical foundations of drug discovery through extensive research and laboratory work and industry-linked projects in pharmaceutical companies. The programme incorporates real-world applications of well-established and tested principles from the world of theory, through the support of the Practice School programme and the various links with major pharmaceutical companies. Emphasising ethics, quality and global health standards, it prepares graduates to lead in R&D, regulatory science and clinical chemistry- driving innovation across pharmaceutical industries and research institutions worldwide.


Design a Degree That Works for You


At BITS Pilani, your academic path is not Linear. It allow you to customise your learning path
according to your aspirations, goals and interest.

The structure of degree programmes and academic regulations also provides certain other flexibilities like choice of electives, number of electives, repetition of courses, departure from normal pace, withdrawal from or substitution of course(s), etc.

Students interested in exploring courses beyond the scope of their curriculum can opt to audit them. This option is for casual learners who are not enrolled in a degree programme.Courses such as Foreign Languages and Music are offered in addition to the core degree programmes. Students may take these courses on an audit basis, subject to the payment of additional fees.

High-performing students may transfer to:


Higher Degree or Ph.D. programmes


Between Ph.D. and Higher Degree levels (based on academic standing). This flexibility supports seamless progression for research-driven students.

One of the most popular flexibilities offered by our educational structure is the dual degree scheme, under which students concurrently work towards completing two integrated first degrees within a reasonable timeframe. All students admitted to Group B programmes are also eligible to work under this scheme for one of the Group A programmes. Assignments to programmes are made based on individual performance during the first year.


In the assignment of dual degrees, first priority is given to students in Group B seeking a second degree under this scheme from among the programmes in Group A. After fully satisfying the known needs of the first priority, a second operation is done to consider the other priority, namely, students in any group seeking a second degree from amongst the programmes in another group. While it would be academically and procedurally acceptable for a student admitted to Group A or B programmes to seek a second degree in Group C in the dual degree scheme, the reverse process is not normally possible. However, a student admitted to Group C will be eligible to compete for a dual degree in any degree in Group C, or any degree in Group B or MMS, but only in Group A.

Practice School
The Original Experiential Learning Model


The Practice School Programme is a hallmark of BITS Pilani’s experiential learning approach. It provides students with an opportunity to practice what they have learnt in global organisations under the supervision of a mentor. Students work on cutting-edge technologies and have the option to practice in their discipline of study or cross-disciplinary areas. In addition to providing students with an opportunity to play roles that require multifunctional skills, this flagship programme also offers many students the chance to secure a PPO.

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Practice School-I

Practice School I is an eight-week course conducted during the summer term after the second year of study. Students are stationed in an organisation during this programme, and after a comprehensive orientation, students largely learn through observation and work on group projects, under the guidance and mentorship of industry experts and a faculty member from BITS. This not only serves as a first exposure for students to the corporate world but also helps nurture their personality traits, communication, and presentation skills.

Practice School-II

Practice School-II offered in the final year of study is a TWENTY-TWO-week full-time program. First-degree students in their final year of study can register for this program either during the first semester or the second semester, and Dual-Degree students can register for a double-semester PS-II program. For higher degree students, the course is titled Practice School, and such students can register for it in their final semester of study.

Practice School Process

Practice School I is an eight-week course conducted during the summer term after the second year of study. Students are stationed in an organisation during this programme, and after a comprehensive orientation, students largely learn through observation and work on group projects, under the guidance and mentorship of industry experts and a faculty member from BITS. This not only serves as a first exposure for students to the corporate world but also helps nurture their personality traits, communication, and presentation skills.

Programme Structure

Focus: Advanced concepts in chemical synthesis, drug design and research methodology.

Courses :

  • Advanced Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Computer-Aided Drug Design
  • Clinical Research
  • Chemistry of Macromolecules
  • Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
  • Elective
  • Research Practice

Focus: Independent research, advanced analytical study and practical industry exposure.

Courses :

  • Retrosynthetic Analysis
  • Elective
  • Dissertation
  • Practice School

Advancing Drug Discovery Through Pharmaceutical Chemistry Labs

Expert Faculty Advancing Pharmaceutical
Frontiers

Bharathi R


Assistant Professor (Off Campus),
Department of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences Group,
BITS Pilani

Dr. Aniruddha Roy


Associate Professor,
Department of Pharmacy,
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Dr. Atish T. Paul


Associate Professor,
Department of Pharmacy,
BITS Pilani, Pilani

Admissions: Everything You Need to Know


Students work hand-on in specialised, fully equipped facilities.

Admission Process

Eligibility Criteria

Fees & Refund Policy

Scholarship

Education Loan

Important Dates

You Asked.
We Answered.

At BITS Pilani, M.Pharm. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) develops strengths in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, modern drug design and analytical methods, with strong research orientation.

It’s a two-year (four-semester) higher degree at BITS Pilani. The final semester is a full-time Dissertation or Practice School (PS), both for credit; an accelerated three-semester path is also possible via early dissertation start.

You’ll dive into medicinal chemistry, retrosynthesis and computer-aided drug design, then practice analytical methods (HPLC/LC-MS) and biostatistics at BITS Pilani through studio-style labs and projects.

Yes, BITS Pilani provides access to departmental labs and central facilities with tools like HPLC, LC–MS, GC, UV–Vis, spectrofluorometers and more, supporting coursework, research and projects.

Higher-degree students at BITS Pilani may opt for a 5.5–6 month Practice School in the final term, working on live problems under mentorship; this is a credit-bearing component.

For BITS Pilani higher-degree admissions, you need at least 60% in the qualifying degree. Selection is on merit via the BITS HD Test and/or a valid GPAT score, with up to 50% seats filled through GPAT and up to 50% through the BITS HD Test.

M.Pharm. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) runs at the Pilani campus of BITS Pilani.

BITS Pilani runs centralised campus hiring each season and hosts regular recruiter drives. In recent cycles, over 200 students have taken summer internships and many convert to pre-placement offers.

After graduation, students commonly work on compound design, method development, stability studies and filings support—sometimes shifting into data-heavy analytics inside pharma and CROs.

If you’re admitted through GPAT at BITS Pilani (Pilani campus), you’re eligible for the AICTE–PCI GPAT scholarship and a monthly tuition-fee waiver. HD-route admits receive an institute stipend with graduate-assistant duties.

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