Pharmaceutical Sciences, BS

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences is geared toward highly motivated students who are strongly focused on careers in biomedical/pharmaceutical research, biomedicine, and/or the pharmaceutical/biotech industries. The educational approach is an innovative paradigm that immerses students into undergraduate research at the earliest possible time and promotes graduate-style mentorship and experiential learning in the context of an intensive scientific curriculum with specialized educational opportunities. Pharmaceutical sciences are by nature highly interdisciplinary: pharmacology; physiology; structural biology; medicinal chemistry; pharmaceutics and the allied fields of toxicology, chemical biology, and nanomedicine; and a spectrum of emerging health science disciplines that span classical life sciences, engineering, and biotechnology. All students take courses in basic chemistry, basic biology, organic chemistry, physiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences. Students can then further specialize their educations with elective courses in areas of their interest and their developing career trajectories.

Entering students are expected to initiate a self-directed search for opportunities to participate in laboratory research. In the first year, students complete Introduction to Health Science Research (PHSC 2650), a course that introduces students to scientific literature, hypothesis generation, and use of the scientific method to investigate unsolved problems. To facilitate identification of research opportunities, this course also introduces students to researchers from within and outside of the university, with the goal of matching students with faculty research mentors.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program will have a solid foundation in the science of drug discovery, delivery, evaluation, and development, as well as specialized training at the undergraduate level in research labs. The program prepares students to pursue graduate studies, enroll in professional programs, or enter the biopharmaceutical industry. The BS degree requires a minimum of four years of study and at least one co-op experience. Graduates are positioned to pursue MS and PhD programs in the biomedical sciences, medical schools, and other health professional degree programs.

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences—Progression Standards

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences requires students to satisfy a set of academic standards that include maintaining an overall GPA of 3.000 or better. A grade of C is the minimal passing grade for any of the required courses in the major.

Bachelor of Science Students in this program are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 each semester to remain in good academic standing and to progress towards graduation. If a student's cumulative GPA falls below the required 3.000, a student may be on probation for only two semesters, or until the course is offered again, unless the advisor approves an action plan that specifies a longer (but definite) period. A student may only be placed on probation twice during enrollment in the program and must correct all deficiencies, as specified, in each respective action plan during the applicable probationary period. Failure to remediate the deficiency within the agreed time may result in dismissal from the program.

The program also requires students to seek out and establish laboratory research opportunities with a faculty-level mentor. It is advised that students get involved in laboratory research during their first year in the program. Each student must secure a laboratory research opportunity by the spring semester of the second year and complete Lab Research Rotation (PHSC 2100) by the end of the second year.

All students admitted to the pharmaceutical sciences major will need to adhere to progression policies to enter the third year of the program. At the end of the second year, fall semester, failure to complete all required course work at or exceeding program standards and/or to not involve oneself in a laboratory research opportunity will be considered a professional deficiency. According to standard policy, affected students will be invited to meet with the School of Pharmacy Academic Standing Committee and may prepare a report describing how they will satisfy outstanding requirements by the end of the summer of the second year for consideration by the committee. If the plan is not accepted, or accepted but not executed by the end of summer of the second year (or as agreed), then the student will be dismissed from the program. Under such circumstances, the student can follow standard School of Pharmacy policies to appeal.

Securing a Laboratory Research Experience

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences requires students to earn a minimum of 12 credits for laboratory research through participation in a research rotation (Lab Research Rotation (PHSC 2100)) and the writing and completion of an undergraduate thesis (comprised of Senior Thesis (PHSC 4997) and Senior Thesis Continuation (PHSC 4998)). Each student must take the initiative to seek out opportunities for undergraduate laboratory research either on campus, off campus at a neighboring university, or in an industry setting accessible to the student, under the direction of a faculty-level mentor. Students are assisted with securing laboratory research experiences through participation in Introduction to Health Science Research (PHSC 2650) during the spring of the first year and, as needed, through work with a faculty advisor within the Bachelor of Science Pharmaceutical Sciences program. A variety of university resources are also available to assist students in finding opportunities, including the Bouvé College Office of Research, the Northeastern University Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the Northeastern University Integrated Initiative for Global Health, and various other departmental and college resources across Northeastern University.

Change of Major

Students are eligible to transfer into the program at any point prior to the third year of the program. All students who wish to transfer into the program and have completed General Biology 1 (BIOL 1111) and Lab for BIOL 1111 (BIOL 1112) and General Chemistry 1 (CHEM 1211) and Lab for CHEM 1211 (CHEM 1212) must have earned a grade of B or better and have an overall GPA of 3.000 or better.

Academic Appeals

Students who believe that they were erroneously, capriciously, or otherwise unfairly treated in an academic or cooperative education decision may petition to appeal the decision. Refer to the Bouvé College of Health Sciences Academic Affairs Appeals Process and the Northeastern University Appeals Policies and Procedures.

Program Learning Outcomes

Please visit Bouvé College Program Learning Outcomes for the specific student learning outcomes for this program.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Some NUpath requirements are not explicitly satisfied by required courses. Students are responsible for satisfying these requirements with open electives. 

Pharmaceutical Sciences Major Requirements

Supporting Courses

Writing Requirement

Program Requirement

Minimum of 133 semester hours required