School introduces new Master of Science program in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development

Beginning fall 2024, a new Master of Science (MS) graduate degree program in the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development (AICD3) will lead transformational changes occurring in the field of drug discovery and drug development, enabling graduates to gain a competitive edge for some of the most desirable jobs in the biopharmaceutical industry and in academia.

The MS in AICD3 is the first of its kind in the United States and the first master’s program in the School of Pharmacy. It is administered by the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences (BTS), a joint department of the UCSF Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine and is offered by the Graduate Division.

The new degree program will train the next generation of scientists to apply computer science, data science, statistical analysis, machine learning, and other data-driven methods to bolster the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies for diseases that desperately need a cure.

“Everything is becoming more computational,” said Joanne Chun, PharmD, PhD, who directs postgraduate education programs and will take on new roles as both AICD3 program director and BTS faculty member. “People in industry already recognize the talent and training at UCSF, but we have to take it a step further to create a pipeline—a bridge—between academia and industry.”

Students will learn not only about different computational tools but also about sources for the storage, management, analysis, and modeling of drugs. Hands-on workshops will enable students to apply different computational programs used for designing novel drugs, as well as systematically assessing potential lead candidates and developing digital repositories for studying chemical interactions. Clinical Pharmacology Fellow Michelle Wang, PharmD, PhD, will be joining the AICD3 program with a new appointment as assistant professor in BTS, contributing her expertise in using novel AI computational methods to improve the use of novel therapeutics.

The new program reflects the interdisciplinary training that is a hallmark of UCSF’s approach to research, with in-demand new skills informing the range of roles that can be pursued by PharmDs. “People at UCSF who lead in this field helped us propel this program to be fast-tracked,” said Chun, a member of the program’s steering committee, which includes Co-Vice Dean of Pharmacy Education Programs Brian Shoichet, PhD; Co-Vice Dean of Pharmacy Education Programs Rada Savic, PhD; and Dean Kathy Giacomini, PhD, BSPharm.

“Students weren’t asking for an MS degree, but they were asking for more opportunities in addition to the fellowships that already exist. Creating a formal professional program was necessary, because 80 percent of grads now go on to further training,” Chun added. “The UC system is already using computational tools, and we have so many experts throughout the entire spectrum of drug development and drug discovery. Now we will have an amazing curriculum, from learning how to program in Python and R to understanding and implementing algorithms and deep learning.”

The AICD3 program is guided by an industry advisory board that includes partnerships with marquee companies like Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Pfizer, and Amgen. In addition to teaching, the partners will be helping with financial support and securing internships and mentorships to support UCSF’s mission of training the next generation in the health sciences.

The new program is open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree, and Chun says it will be especially beneficial to PharmD grads because of their foundational knowledge in pharmacology. AICD3 synergizes the School’s mission of improving basic understanding of the mechanisms of disease while serving the community at large through educational and service programs.

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MS Degree Program in AICD3