The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) Program

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Program Overview: 　
Four-year degree program founded upon the basic pharmaceutical sciences
Multifaceted, career-oriented, elective paths
Practical experience through internship programs in industry, government agencies, and on-campus research laboratories

The four-year curriculum for the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences begins with a foundation of coursework in mathematics and the basic sciences (chemistry, biology, physics). This inter-disciplinary program then progresses to advanced coursework in the pharmaceutical sciences, including aspects of drug design and synthesis, mechanisms of drug action, pharmacology and toxicology, dosage formulation, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. The curriculum also includes elective credits for educational enhancement.

The BSPS program offers practical experience through internship programs in industry, government agencies, and on-campus research laboratories. An elective industrial internship program provides summer employment and practical training opportunities in a variety of industrial settings. The faculty also encourage undergraduate students to engage in mentored laboratory research. Numerous undergraduate research opportunities are available in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, as well as in the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy.

Career path opportunities with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences include entry-level technical positions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry; graduate education in pharmaceutical, medical, and basic sciences; and post-baccalaureate professional education in medicine, law and business. A general presentation of careers for those obtaining a Bachelors of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) degree has been provided by the AAPS. You should recognize that this is not a professional degree program. Completion of the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree requirements does not qualify the student for state board examination to become a registered pharmacist.

A printable PDF brochure describing the BSPS program is available for your convenience. All of the information in that brochure also can be viewed on this site.

Detailed information about all undergraduate and professional degree programs offered by the School of Pharmacy is available in the Pharmacy Bulletin. This 164K PDF file is available for downloading, viewing and printing, but it requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader software, which is available for free.

　

Program Objectives:

To provide a well-rounded undergraduate education with an emphasis on the pharmaceutical sciences.
To integrate knowledge with hands-on experience to enhance career path development.

　

Admissions and Application

Because this is a relatively new program and for other reasons of a historical nature, at the present time most students cannot be admitted directly into the School of Pharmacy BSPS program. Rather, most students first must be admitted as Pharmaceutical Sciences major in the School of Health Sciences. After at least one semester (commonly more than one semester) in the program, students that are qualified (see "Admissions") and interested will be tranferred into the BSPS program in the School of Pharmacy. While a BSPS major in Health Sciences, students interested in the BSPS degree should follow the BSPS curriculum (see below). Students who were previously in another major, and who already have completed the courses required in first two years of the BSPS curriculum may request to directly transfer into the BSPS program in the School of Pharmacy. Please read the detailed information about admissions and application to the BSPS program.

Curriculum:

Foundation Coursework Advanced Coursework
General Biology
Microbiology
General Chemistry
Physics
Organic Chemistry
Calculus
English Composition
Career Orientation
Anatomy & Physiology
Analytical Chemistry
Statistics
Biological Chemistry
Pharmacology
Medicinal Chemistry
Pharmaceutics
Physical Chemistry

The curricular course requirements for the BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) program are as follows:
Required courses for all four years of the program
General Education Elective courses
Earn 128 or more credits
While in this program students are expected to meet certain academic standards.

Additionally, students in the BSPS Program are encouraged to earn a minor. Example minor programs including requirements as well as information about enrollment for a dual degree are available.

Some details about IPPH 100 and other IPPH courses for BSPS students are available.

Internships - The Summer Internship Program

A feature of the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is the summer internship program. This program is designed to assist students in exploring career options through practical training. Students who have completed their second or third year of study have the opportunity to be placed in industrial or academic settings.

　
Picture of a research internship experience involving running a sample on an HPLC Academic internships may be pursued within the Purdue School of Pharmacy, government agencies or other academic institutions. Research topics could include cancer research, neuropharmacology, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical product development, formulation, or delivery.
Industrial internships are sponsored by corporate partners.  Areas of emphasis include product formulation, manufacturing or regulatory affairs, as well as research aimed at product development or drug delivery. Students pursuing industrial internships will elect to take special topics courses designed to prepare them for this experience. Picture of a research internship experience in Dr. Bob Geahlen's lab involving manipulating animal cells in culture

Several research fellowships for undergraduate research are available on a competitive basis to students enrolled in one of the Pharmacy School undergraduate programs. These include summer research fellowships as well as many other opportunities for interested students. These are administered by Dr. Loudon, the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs.

　

Faculty Mentorship Program and Academic Advising

Each student will be assigned a faculty mentor within the School of Pharmacy in addition to an academic advisor in the Office of Student Services (OSS). The faculty mentor will help the student explore career and educational goals, establish an appropriate plan of study, and develop suitable internship opportunities. The academic advisor from OSS will help in planning schedules and must approve the courses which each student selects at registration (students in this program are required to meet with their advisor every semester as part of the regular registration process).

　

Costs/Expenses:

Students in the BSPS program pay fees at the standard Purdue University rate. The estimated costs of attendance is available.