Pharmaceutical Sciences
Overview
Programs in pharmaceutical sciences teach people how to develop medicines using chemicals and plants.Programs in pharmaceutical sciences teach people drug synthesis. Students learn chemistry and research methods. They also learn about lab safety.
Pharmaceutical sciences programs include topics such as:
- Medicinal chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Molecular biology
- Pharmacology
- Biological mechanisms of drug action
- Research tools and techniques
- Laboratory safety
- Research design and testing
Concentrations
In pharmaceutical sciences programs, students may be able to specialize in:
- Natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy
- Medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry
- Clinical and industrial drug development
- Pharmaceutics and drug design
Schools
Several colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in pharmaceutical sciences. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. Typically, they are offered through the school's pharmacy program.
Many universities offer graduate degrees in pharmaceutical sciences. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Professional resume
- Research and laboratory experience
- Undergraduate degree or significant course work in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, chemistry, zoology, engineering, or other related degree
- Significant course work in calculus, statistics, and physics
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Advanced Statistics
- Drug Delivery
- Drug Metabolism
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Molecular Biochemistry
- Molecular Thermodynamics
- Pharmacogenomics
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacology
- Principles of Genetics
- Principles of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Research Methods
Graduate Program Courses
Graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree in pharmaceutical sciences typically include:
- Laboratory research projects
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
Things to Know
Some schools offer bachelor's degrees in pharmaceutical sciences. Typically these are designed to prepare students for professional pharmacy programs.
Pharmaceutical sciences programs often are called several different names, depending on their focus. Some examples are pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, and pharmacokinetics.
Schools
King-Snohomish Area
University of Washington - Seattle
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Bioengineering
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research & Policy
- Pharmaceutics
Spokane Area
Washington State University Health Sciences - Spokane
- Pharmaceutical Sciences