Chemical Biology and Therapeutics

Explore how chemistry is used to investigate biological systems, and how those discoveries become new therapies.

Chemical biology seeks to understand biology using chemistry. Rather than studying molecules or living systems in isolation, chemical biologists design and use molecules to investigate how biological systems work – and how those discoveries can be used to develop new therapies.

Learn how chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology and computational approaches come together to understand protein function, investigate disease mechanisms and enable modern drug discovery. Through extensive lab experience, you'll develop practical skills in chemical biology, molecular science and therapeutic development.

Your learning outcomes

By majoring in Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, you'll develop the knowledge and skills to:

Apply chemical methods to probe and understand biological processes
Design and synthesise molecules for therapeutic applications
Evaluate drug efficacy and mechanisms of action
Use computational approaches to support drug discovery and development
Conduct rigorous scientific investigations in biomedical research
Communicate complex chemical and biological concepts to diverse audiences
Prepare for careers in pharmaceutical research, drug development or biomedical science.

What you’ll study

You'll start with core chemistry and pharmacology fundamentals, learning how drugs work at the molecular level. In second year, you'll combine chemical synthesis, molecular techniques, and pharmacology theory. By third year, you'll explore advanced chemical biology and computational approaches, then see how your learning translates in the real world through a capstone in biomedical experiments.

Career outcomes

Chemical Biology and Therapeutics graduates work across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and biomedical research sectors. Your ability to integrate chemistry, biology, pharmacology and computational science provides a unique skill set that is increasingly sought after across research, industry and government. You could also consider further study in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and related disciplines.

This major is available in the Bachelor of Science.

In the Chemical Biology and Therapeutics major, you’ll explore the intersection of chemistry, biology, and pharmacology to support the development of new treatments.

Major structure

The Chemical Biology and Therapeutics major is made up of eight subjects (100 credit points) taken in your second and third year. Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points. Level 2 subjects are usually taken in second year, and Level 3 subjects in third year.

To complete this major, you’ll need:

50 credit points of Level 2 major core
37.5 credit points of Level 3 major core
12.5 credit points of Level 3 capstone

The rest of your degree will consist of a science core subject, elective subjects in science, and breadth (non-science) subjects.

Further information

You can find detailed information about your major – including structure, subject availability, and participation requirements – in the Handbook.

You can also explore your study pathway and sample course plans through My Course Planner.

Overview

Chemical Biology and Therapeutics graduates are in demand across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and biomedical research sectors. Your ability to combine chemical innovation with biological understanding makes you valuable to organisations developing new therapies and advancing human health.

Our graduates work as medicinal chemists, drug discovery scientists, biomedical researchers, and regulatory affairs specialists.

Employers in this field include:

Pharmaceutical companies including GSK, Pfizer, and Australian biotech firms
Biotechnology companies focused on drug development and therapeutics
Medical research institutes including the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and the Florey Institute
Universities and research institutions including CSIRO and international research centres
Regulatory agencies including the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

For more career examples and profiles, visit Careers in Science.

Further study

At the end of your degree, you'll be well-placed to pursue graduate study in chemistry – for example, in the Master of Science (Chemistry) or the Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry). These degrees lead to exciting careers in industry, or to research via a PhD.

You could also explore further study in other disciplines – in science, law, teaching, health, business, humanities, and more.