Drug Discovery Sciences

The Master’s programme in Drug Discovery Sciences (DDS) offers a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary education in early-stage drug discovery from a molecular and 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 focusses on drug discovery and revolves around drug 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 specialize in one of five specialisations:

• Molecular Pharmacology – Explore how compounds (including small molecules and proteins) interact with biological targets to modulate physiological and pathological processes.

• Synthesis of Drugs – Learn how to synthesize biologically active molecules with therapeutic potential using modern synthetic chemistry approaches and techniques.

• Molecular Toxicology – Understand how drugs are metabolized in the human body, how drugs impact cellular metabolism, and investigate mechanisms of toxicity and adverse effects.

• Bioanalytics – Develop expertise in detecting, identifying, and quantifying drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers, and develop expertise in studying disease-mediated molecular pathways, using state-of-the-art analytical methods.

• Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) – Apply computational methods to model and predict interactions of small-molecule compounds with both drug targets as well as off-targets.

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.

Throughout the programme, attention is paid to the development of academic and professional skills. The compulsory course Research Skills and Career Perspectives helps students reflect on their scientific identity, develops essential transferable skills and critical thinking, and prepares them for internships and future career paths.

By the end of Year 1, many students start their major research internship at a university, institute or company. Students can also start with their major internship in Year 2. Research internships are available within the VU Amsterdam in research groups either within the department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences or within other VU departments. External internships in the Netherlands and abroad are also possible.

Year 2: Focus on the Research (R) variant internship or on the Education (E) variant

The second year offers tailored pathways that match students' goals and ambitions:

• In the Research profile, many students continue conducting their major internship in year 2. In this year they explore scientific topics in greater depth depending on their interests and career goals. Additional elective courses and/or an optional second internship can be done, in a company, research institute, academic hospital, or university. The Research variant of the programme is designed to offer flexibility in internship environment and focus, allowing students to shape their learning experience according to their professional aspirations. Students can also choose to perform an in-depth literature review in year 2.

• In the Education profile, students in the second year take courses and an internship, all with an educational focus. This enables them to become a first-degree Dutch high school teacher in chemistry. This profile (i.e., the second year) is only provided in the Dutch language.