Drug Discovery Sciences

The Master programme in Drug Discovery Sciences (DDS) offers a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary education in early-stage drug discovery from a molecular/chemical perspective. The programme prepares students to contribute to the development of new molecular therapeutics and studying disease mechanisms at the molecular level by equipping them with a strong foundation in both theory and research skills essential to pharmaceutical innovation. The DDS programme focuses on drug discovery research from various complementary chemical angles. The curriculum is designed with focus on academic knowledge, practical laboratory experience, and critical thinking skills, allowing graduates to play pivotal roles in interdisciplinary research teams across academia, industry, and healthcare. Graduates also find career paths in policy, management, or education.

Students select one of four specialisations:

• Design and Synthesis in Drug Discovery (DSDD) – making biologically active molecules come to life through chemistry! This specialisation offers a focus on either synthetic medicinal chemistry, or on computer-aided drug design, or on both. It trains students to design and synthesise novel compounds with therapeutic potential. This specialisation offers the flexibility to focus on either a synthetic medicinal chemistry path or a computer-aided drug design path, or to combine both paths within one integrated study plan.

• Pharmacology and Toxicology in Drug Discovery (PTDD) – Unravels how drugs work and why they can cause harm. This specialisation integrates molecular pharmacology and molecular toxicology to explore the mechanisms behind drug action, efficacy, and safety, equipping students to design safer and more effective therapeutics. This specialisation offers the flexibility to focus on either pharmacology or toxicology, or to combine both areas for a comprehensive understanding of drug action and safety.

• Bioanalytics in Drug Discovery (BADD) – Reveals the molecular details behind drug discovery using cutting-edge analytical science. This specialisation trains students in advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry, chromatography, and spectroscopy to study drugs, biomarkers, and molecular mechanisms, bridging chemistry and biology in the search for safer, more effective therapies.

• Education in Drug Discovery (EIDD) – The Educational specialisation within the Drug Discovery Sciences Master’s programme is designed for those who want to pursue a teaching career. The programme starts with a first year consisting of courses in drug discovery sciences and an in silico research internship. In the second year, students follow the Dutch teacher training program, which leads to a qualification to teach at secondary and vocational education levels. The second year of this specialisation is taught in Dutch.

Year 1: Foundation and specialisation:

In the first year, students take specialisation-specific core courses, offering in-depth scientific training in their chosen specialisation. These are complemented by elective courses, enabling students to build a deeper and/or broader understanding of pharmaceutical sciences and connect with other areas relevant to drug discovery. This combination supports collaboration in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Within DDS, ample attention is paid to the development of essential academic and professional skills. The Research and Academic Skills (RAS) course provided throughout the curriculum integrates training in research integrity, scientific writing, critical reading, and peer review with career development activities such as the preparation of CV and motivation letter, alumni networking, and career reflection. Students also gain insight into the internship process and explore career opportunities in academia, industry, and beyond. By combining academic skills with career orientation, scientific thinking and writing, the course provides a strong foundation for both the master’s programme and post-graduate careers. By the end of Year 1 or starting in Year 2, many students start their major research internship at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) in the O2-research building, at another university, an institute or a company. External internships abroad are also possible. Research internships are available at the VU in research groups either within the department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences or within other VU departments.

Year 2: Focus on Research or Education

In the second year, students continue to shape their learning pathway according to their professional goals, continuing in either one of the three Research specialisations or the Education specialisation.

• Research specialisations – Many students start or continue their major research internship in Year 2. The 8-month (48 EC) internship provides in-depth research experience within a university, research institute, company, or academic hospital. Students apply and expand their theoretical and practical knowledge in an authentic research environment, gaining independence and professional experience in experimental or computational drug discovery. In addition, students may include elective courses, a minor internship, or a literature thesis, allowing flexibility to tailor the programme to their individual research interests and career ambitions.

• Education specialisation – Students who choose the Education specialisation follow a structured Dutch-language programme in Year 2 preparing them to become a first-degree chemistry teacher. After completing the first-year scientific foundation within DDS, students spend their second year in the teacher training trajectory (“lerarenopleiding” in Dutch), which combines educational theory courses and an educational internship focused on teaching chemistry and science in secondary schools.