Students in this major can choose between one of two options: an early assurance program through the Pre-Pharmacy concentration that is a direct pathway to the doctor of pharmacy degree, or students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree.
The Pre-Pharmacy concentration is an early assurance program that provides high school students who are committed to becoming pharmacists an efficient and cost-effective pathway to a PharmD. See more details about the benefits of this pathway, program requirements, the curriculum and the student experience.
The Pharmaceutical Sciences BS in the School of Pharmacy at Temple University is specifically designed to prepare students to enter careers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related industries, and it creates pathways to post-graduate management and research careers. Students in this 120- to 127-credit undergraduate program will also be prepared for graduate and professional programs in the School of Pharmacy.
Pharmaceutical sciences faculty mentor and guide students through the program, ensuring real-world, experiential and transformative opportunities related to careers in pharma. The first two years of coursework will be completed at Temple’s Main Campus and the second two years will be held at Temple University School of Pharmacy at the Health Sciences Center with some online course offerings. You will further hone your studies by choosing one of four concentrations: Manufacturing and Manufacturing Compliance, Marketing and Sales, Pre-Pharmacy, and Research.
Learn more about studying pharmaceutical sciences as an undergraduate student in the School of Pharmacy at Temple.
Graduates of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Major meet a growing demand for professionals with pharmaceutical and biotechnology training. These industries allocate billions of dollars to the development, marketing and sales of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research approved 50 novel drugs in 2024.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is led by world-class researchers and academics in drug discovery, development, delivery, action, efficacy, safety and manufacturing. Pharmaceutical sciences draws from multiple disciplines including pharmacology, chemistry, biology and engineering.
Research topics spearheaded by the program include cancer; central nervous system disorders; metabolic, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease; formulations; microbes; and infectious disorders. The School of Pharmacy focuses on a patient-centered approach to advancing care and improving lives. Learn more about pharmaceutical sciences at the School of Pharmacy.
Students earning the Pharmaceutical Sciences BS will complete 120–127 credits, including math and sciences that provide a foundation for courses that focus on scientific principles behind drug development, formulation, delivery and other specialized pharmaceutical topics. The curriculum comprises lecture-based courses, laboratory courses and applied learning through case studies, class projects and research projects.
For more information about the program curriculum, please contact Craig Whitman, assistant dean of academic affairs, at craig.whitman@temple.edu.
Learn more about the Pharmaceutical Sciences Major curriculum and see what courses to expect depending on your concentration.
You can focus on Pharmaceutical Sciences or you can take one of the following concentrations.
Focus on the production, quality control and regulatory adherence of pharmaceutical products. It covers good manufacturing practices (GMPs), process validation, quality assurance and regulatory requirements to ensure drug safety and efficacy. Students gain expertise in optimizing production processes while meeting strict industry standards and regulations.
Study strategies for promoting and distributing pharmaceutical products while ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Students learn about market analysis, branding, sales techniques and regulatory frameworks governing pharmaceutical advertising. This concentration prepares graduates for careers in pharmaceutical marketing, sales and product management.
The Pre-Pharmacy concentration is a pathway for high school graduates pursuing the profession of pharmacy to complete the PharmD prerequisites and, at the end of their second year, enter the PharmD program in the School of Pharmacy at Temple. Students interested in this path complete undergraduate coursework requirements in two years and receive conditional acceptance based on the completion of these requirements. If admitted, students move to the PharmD program after two years of undergraduate coursework in the School of Pharmacy. Students in the Pre-Pharmacy concentration do not earn a bachelor’s degree and instead work toward the PharmD. Learn more about the early assurance program pathway.
Form a foundation in drug discovery, development and evaluation through scientific investigation. Students study pharmacology, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry and laboratory techniques to innovate and improve pharmaceutical products. This concentration prepares graduates for careers in biomedical research, drug formulation and pharmaceutical development.
Students will have opportunities to complete accelerated degree programs in the following master’s programs.
Explore more information about graduate programs in the School of Pharmacy at Temple.
Craig Whitman, assistant dean of academic affairs
Phone: 215-707-6821
Email: craig.whitman@temple.edu
The School of Pharmacy along with the Academic Resource Center offers extensive, personalized advising services to undergraduate students in the School of Pharmacy. The advising staff will work with you to set goals and help you reach your academic potential.
Temple University’s School of Pharmacy Pre-Pharmacy Club offers resources and opportunities to learn and network with current students and alumni. The Pre-Pharmacy Club can serve you no matter where you are in your pharmacy and pharmaceutical science career path.