Pharmaceutical Chemistry in Taiwan

• Host Institution
• Courses
• Eligibility
• Prerequisites

On this Quarter Abroad program, you can:

• Earn 12-13 quarter units
• Enroll in UC Davis courses to fulfill degree, major, minor, or GE requirements
• Experience academic coursework enriched by both the program’s location(s) and activities

Host Institution 

Academia Sinica is a modern research institution with a worldwide reputation and a proud tradition.  Academia Sinica aims to: engage the entire academic and research community in Taiwan in a modern and forward-looking collective academic vision; to cultivate an intellectual environment that is conducive to the nurturing of young scholars and the recognition of outstanding scholarship in Taiwan; and to promote international cooperation and scholarly exchanges that will accelerate the overall development of academic research at Academia Sinica.

Courses (13 units)

You will enroll in the course set below. Auditing is not an option. UC Davis programs are academic programs so participants should expect a substantial amount of course work.

• Chemistry (CHE) 130A. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Part A (3 units) *
• Syllabus Draft (PDF)
  Examination of the design principles and experimental methods used in pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry.
• Chemistry (CHE) 150. Natural Products Chemistry (3 units) *

• Syllabus Draft (PDF)
  Chemistry of terpenes, steroids, acetogenins, and alkaloids: isolation, structure determination, biosynthesis, chemical transformations, and total synthesis.

• Chemistry (CHE) 198. Chemistry & Culture (2 units, Pass/No Pass)

• Syllabus Draft (PDF)
  In this course, students will be exposed to chemical and biochemical research in Taiwan and associated aspects of local culture through attending scientific seminars and field trips in Taipei. To earn a passing grade, students will be expected to attend a certain number of events and write brief descriptions of what they learned from them. This course includes participation on excursions and tours and attendance to guest lectures. Students are often asked to write reflective pieces. Assignment topics vary by program.

• Chemistry (CHE) 198. Directed Study (3-5 units, Pass/No Pass)

• Research units that will allow students to do supervised work under the direction of the UC Davis Faculty. This course is only available to students who have completed either CHE 130A, CHE 150 or both prior to the beginning of the program.

• Chemistry (CHE) 199. Special Study/Research Internship (5 units, Pass/No Pass)
• Syllabus Draft (PDF)
  Research Internships are completed by all of the students and is a highlight of the program. To maximize student success, research projects will be designed and planned in joint collaboration between AST and UC Davis faculty prior to departure. During spring quarter, UC Davis students will enroll in a spring quarter CHE 198 class that meets weekly to discuss the following topics: Culture of Taiwan, Finding a research director, Developing a research project, Writing a research plan and Safety Training. Class will meet once a week during spring quarter.

You will have dual faculty mentors, one from AST and one from UC Davis.

Prerequisites

Along with the general eligibility requirements, Study Abroad will be enforcing the completion of the following prerequisites:

Completion of CHE 118C or 128C.

Why should chemistry students study abroad?  

According to the American Chemical Society:

• Studying abroad can make you more attractive to graduate schools, particularly if you conduct research or learn another language while overseas.
• Conducting research in a new environment will enhance your laboratory skills and allow you to learn the chemical sciences from an international perspective.
• Science and technology are becoming increasingly global, and there is a growing demand for scientists and engineers who can work effectively in an international setting.