Program Overview

Pharmaceutical Sciences Program

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program within the VCU School of Pharmacy equips students with the knowledge, technical, and functional skills essential for the development of innovative pharmaceutical products and therapies that improve the quality of human life.

Program Description

With a strong foundation in basic and applied sciences and hands-on training in teaching laboratories, students are prepared to tackle real-world problems during on and off-campus experiential learning opportunities while pursuing their degrees. These opportunities include an externship and a yearlong capstone project where student teams, under the supervision of a faculty expert, work to address open-ended problems in pharmaceutical sciences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program are prepared to seek entry-level positions in the life sciences industry, research and development, service laboratories, and government agencies or to pursue advanced graduate and professional studies. Students are prepared to work in areas related to the development, formulation, characterization, manufacturing, quality control and assurance, marketing and sales, clinical research coordination, drug safety and pharmacovigilance, medical writing and communication, and regulatory affairs of pharmaceutical products and therapies.

Career Options

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences equips graduates with a comprehensive understanding of drug development, pharmacology, and the pharmaceutical industry. This program blends chemistry, biology, and engineering principles, fostering skills essential for various roles in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. The broad career options available to these graduates reflect the versatile and dynamic nature of the field.

• Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives, leveraging their scientific knowledge to promote and sell medications to healthcare providers.
• Medical Science Liaisons, acting as intermediaries between pharmaceutical companies and the medical community, providing scientific information and support to healthcare professionals.
• Quality Control Analysts, ensuring that pharmaceutical products meet stringent quality standards and comply with regulatory requirements.
• Regulatory Affairs Associates, assisting in the preparation and submission of regulatory documents, ensuring that new drugs and therapies meet all governmental regulations.

Job Titles

Bachelor-Level Job Titles

• Bioprocessing Technician
• Formulation Scientist
• Healthcare Consultant
• Medical Science Liaison
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Pharmacovigilance Specialist
• Quality Control Analyst
• Regulatory Affairs Associate

Graduate and Professional Level Job Titles

• Chief Pharmacist
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Pharmacist

Degree Requirements

• Highest level of math required: MATH 200
• Science required: 5+ additional science courses
• Foreign language requirements: No
• Additional tuition/fees: Yes
• GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major): 2.5+ to graduate

Concentration

No concentration

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program is available in the Bulletin.

Professional Associations and Resources

• National Pharmacy Professional Organizations
• PHARMCAS

Program Structure

The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive education in pharmaceutical sciences, including experiential learning opportunities and a capstone project. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, research and development, and government agencies, as well as for advanced graduate and professional studies.