Method
Flexible
Classroom
Term
WINTER
SPRING
Units
3.0 QUARTER UNITS
Cost
$815

Course Description

This introductory course provides a framework for understanding the process of drug discovery, from target selection and validation to lead optimization and preclinical studies. Although the fundamental principles of drug discovery are well established, the tools, technologies and methods used in the discovery and development of safe and effective drugs are constantly evolving. Personalized medicine and novel diagnostics involving biomarkers, pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in clinical practice are changing the landscape of drug discovery. The instructor will address fundamental and translational principles and cutting-edge approaches along with strategies for integrating current scientific approaches into the drug discovery process.

Topics include:

  • Target identification and validation
  • High throughput screening, hit identification, hit-to-lead and lead optimization
  • Induced pluripotent stem cells in disease modeling and drug discovery
  • Structure-activity relationship, in silico drug design and molecular modeling
  • Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicology)
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Toxicology
  • Personalized medicine in drug discovery, including the OMICS technologies, biomarkers and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis in patient diagnosis, stratification and monitoring
  • Gene Therapy and Tissue Regenerative Medicine. 

Additional Information

Completion of "Bioinformatics Tools, Databases and Methods or Experimental Methods in Molecular Biology" is recommended.

  • Flexible Attend in person or via Zoom at scheduled times.
Schedule
Date Start Time End Time Meeting Type Location
Tue, 02-03-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 02-10-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 02-17-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 02-24-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 03-03-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 03-10-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 03-17-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 03-24-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 03-31-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
Tue, 04-07-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Flexible SANTA CLARA / REMOTE
 

This class meets simultaneously in a classroom and remotely via Zoom. Students are expected to attend and participate in the course, either in-person or remotely, during the days and times that are specified on the course schedule. Students attending remotely are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience. Students attending the class in-person are expected to bring a laptop to each class meeting.

To see all meeting dates, click “Full Schedule” below.

You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.

This course applies to these programs:

Demo