Jul 17, 2024

2024-2025 University Catalog

Pharmaceutical Sciences, BS

Location(s): West Lafayette

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About the Program

The B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) begins with a foundation of coursework in mathematics and the basic sciences (chemistry, biology, physics). This interdisciplinary 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 individual preparation and educational focus.

The BSPS program offers practical experience through internship programs in industry, government agencies, and on-campus research laboratories. Students are encouraged to spend at least one summer in an internship.

The faculty also encourages undergraduate students to engage in mentored laboratory research. Numerous undergraduate research opportunities are available in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and in the Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, during the regular school year and during the summer months as interns. 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 pharmacy, medicine, law, and business. 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.

Pharmaceutical Sciences Website

Pharmaceutical Sciences Major Change (CODO) Requirements

Degree Requirements

120 Credits Required

Departmental/Program Major Courses (46-49 credits)

PHSC 10000 - Pharmacy Orientation I Credits: 1.00
PHSC 20400 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3.00 ^
PHSC 20401 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1.00
PHSC 20500 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3.00 ^
PHSC 20501 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: 1.00
PHSC 20800 - Biochemistry For Pharmaceutical Sciences Credits: 3.00 ^
PHSC 42200 - Immunology Credits: 3.00 ^
MCMP 54400 - Drug Classes And Mechanisms Credits: 3.00
PHSC 20100 - Bachelor Of Science In The Pharmaceutical Sciences Orientation II Credits: 1.00
PHSC 42400 - Principles Of Pathophysiology And Drug Action Credits: 3.00
PHSC 42800 - Dosage Forms I Credits: 3.00
PHSC 42900 - Dosage Forms II Credits: 2.00
PHSC 43600 - Biochemistry For Pharmaceutical Sciences II Credits: 2.00
PHSC 46000 - Drug Discovery And Development I Credits: 3.00
PHSC 46100 - Drug Discovery And Development II Credits: 3.00
PHSC 48500 - Intercultural And Global Health Issues Credits: 2.00
Pharmacy Special Interest Selective - Credit Hours: 6.00
Pharmacy Leadership Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Pharmacy Experiential Selective - Credit Hours: 0.00-3.00

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (60-61 credits)

AGEC 21700 - Economics Credits: 3.00 ♦^ (satisfies Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science for core)
BIOL 11000 - Fundamentals Of Biology I Credits: 4.00 ♦^ (satisfies Science #1 for core)
BIOL 11100 - Fundamentals Of Biology II Credits: 4.00 ♦^
BIOL 20300 - Human Anatomy And Physiology Credits: 4.00 ♦^
BIOL 20400 - Human Anatomy And Physiology Credits: 4.00 ♦^
BIOL 22100 - Introduction To Microbiology Credits: 4.00 ♦^
CHM 12901 - General Chemistry With A Biological Focus Credits: 5.00 ♦^ (satisfies Science #2 for core)
CHM 37200 - Physical Chemistry Credits: 4.00 ♦
MA 16010 - Applied Calculus I Credits: 3.00 ^ (satisfies Quantitative Reasoning for core)
MA 16020 - Applied Calculus II Credits: 3.00 ^ or
Pre-Pharm.D. Educational Goal Selective (for students pursuing admission to a Pharm.D. program; must be taken at PWL)
PHYS 22000 - General Physics Credits: 4.00 ♦^ (satisfies Science for core)
STAT 30100 - Elementary Statistical Methods Credits: 3.00 ♦^ (satisfies Information Literacy for core)
Professional Writing Selective - Choose one.
ENGL 41900 - Multimedia Writing Credits: 3.00
ENGL 42000 - Business Writing Credits: 3.00
ENGL 42100 - Technical Writing Credits: 3.00
ENGL 42201 - Writing For The Health And Human Sciences Credits: 3.00
ENGL 43400 - Science And Medical Writing Credits: 3.00
Human Cultures: Humanities Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Human Cultures: Humanities for core)
Oral Communication Selective^ - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Oral Communication for core)
Science, Technology & Society Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Science, Technology & Society for core)
Written Communication Selective^ - Credit Hours: 3.00-4.00 (satisfies Written Communication for core)

Electives (10-14 credits)

The following courses are optional, but STRONGLY recommended as electives for Pre-Doctor of Pharmacy Students:
PHSC 20000 - Introduction To Pharmacy And Admissions Process Credits: 2.00

Supplemental Lists

Pharmacy Supplemental Information - Includes Selective Lists: Special Interest, Leadership, and Pre-Pharm.D. Education Goal

Course Requirements and Notes

(^) Meets Pre-Doctor of Pharmacy Requirements

College of Pharmacy Pass/No Pass Policy

No courses within the Departmental or Other Departmental areas can be taken with the Pass/No Pass grade mode. Only electives can be taken P/NP.

University Requirements

University Core Requirements

For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.

Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
Information Literacy (IL)
Oral Communication (OC)
Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
Science #1 (SCI)
Science #2 (SCI)
Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
Written Communication (WC)

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement

The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry. For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.

To obtain the Civics Literacy Proficiency, students will complete an educational activity as part of their chosen Civics Literacy Pathway and pass the Purdue Civics knowledge test. The knowledge test can be completed at any time while the pathway is being perused. There are three different pathways:

Civics Event pathway - Attend six approved civics-related events and pass the required exam; or
Civics Literacy Podcast pathway - Complete 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement that use C-SPAN material and pass the required exam; or
Approved course pathway - Complete one of the following approved courses and pass the required exam.

More details about each pathway and how to complete the requirement can be found on the Civics Literacy Student Dashboard in myPurdue.

Upper Level Requirement

Resident study at Purdue University for at least two semesters and the enrollment in and completion of at least 32 semester hours of coursework required and approved for the completion of the degree. These courses are expected to be at least junior-level (30000+) courses.
Students should be able to fulfill most, if not all, of these credits within their major requirements; there should be a clear pathway for students to complete any credits not completed within their major.

Additional Information

See pharmacy advisor to develop a personalized plan of study

Sample 4-Year Plan

Fall 1st Year

PHSC 10000 - Pharmacy Orientation I Credits: 1.00
BIOL 11000 - Fundamentals Of Biology I Credits: 4.00 ♦ ^
CHM 12901 - General Chemistry With A Biological Focus Credits: 5.00 ♦^
MA 16010 - Applied Calculus I Credits: 3.00 ^ ♦^
Written Communication Selective^ - Credit Hours: 3.00-4.00
BSPS students are advised to take ENGL 10600, ENGL 10800, SCLA 10100 or HONR 19903 to meet pre-requisite for Professional Writing Selective.

16-17 Credits

Spring 1st Year

BIOL 11100 - Fundamentals Of Biology II Credits: 4.00 ♦^
PHSC 20400 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3.00
PHSC 20401 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1.00 ♦^
Oral Communication Selective^ - Credit Hours: 3.00
MA 16020 - Applied Calculus II Credits: 3.00 ♦^ or
Pre-Pharm.D. Educational Goal Selective
Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

17 Credits

Fall 2nd Year ǂ

AGEC 21700 - Economics Credits: 3.00 ♦^
BIOL 20300 - Human Anatomy And Physiology Credits: 4.00 ♦^
PHSC 20500 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3.00
PHSC 20501 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: 1.00
BIOL 22100 - Introduction To Microbiology Credits: 4.00 ♦^
Elective - Credit Hours: 1.00 (Pre-pharmacy students are STRONGLY encouraged to take PHSC 20000 - Introduction To Pharmacy And Admissions Process )

16 Credits

Spring 2nd Year

BIOL 20400 - Human Anatomy And Physiology Credits: 4.00 ♦^
PHSC 20800 - Biochemistry For Pharmaceutical Sciences Credits: 3.00
PHSC 42200 - Immunology Credits: 3.00
PHYS 22000 - General Physics Credits: 4.00 ♦^
STAT 30100 - Elementary Statistical Methods Credits: 3.00 ♦^

17 Credits

Fall 3rd Year

PHSC 20100 - Bachelor Of Science In The Pharmaceutical Sciences Orientation II Credits: 1.00
PHSC 42400 - Principles Of Pathophysiology And Drug Action Credits: 3.00
PHSC 42800 - Dosage Forms I Credits: 3.00
PHSC 43600 - Biochemistry For Pharmaceutical Sciences II Credits: 2.00
Professional Writing Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Human Cultures: Humanities Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits

Spring 3rd Year

CHM 37200 - Physical Chemistry Credits: 4.00 ♦
PHSC 42900 - Dosage Forms II Credits: 2.00
Pharmacy Special Interest Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00-4.00

12-13 Credits

Fall 4th Year

PHSC 46000 - Drug Discovery And Development I Credits: 3.00
Pharmacy Leadership Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Pharmacy Special Interest Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Pharmacy Experiential Selective - Credit Hours: 0.00 - 3.00
Science, Technology & Society Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00

12-15 Credits

Spring 4th Year

MCMP 54400 - Drug Classes And Mechanisms Credits: 3.00
PHSC 46100 - Drug Discovery And Development II Credits: 3.00
PHSC 48500 - Intercultural And Global Health Issues Credits: 2.00
Elective - Credit Hours: 4.00-5.00

12-13 Credits

Pre-Requisite Information

For pre-requisite information, log in to mypurdue.purdue.edu and click here.

Critical Course

The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major. Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful. These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program.”

Disclaimer

The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student. The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.