Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The BSPS was designed by experts in pharmaceutical sciences to produce graduates who understand drug design, development and regulation. The BSPS curriculum will prepare you for immediate employment in many biomedical research settings, as well as making you a competitive applicant for post-baccalaureate education in graduate or health-professional studies.  It is the only degree of its kind in the southwestern US.  

Completion of the BSPS degree does not qualify graduates to take the state board examination to become a registered pharmacist; students who are interested in pursuing this career path must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences will prepare students to be very competitive applicants to PharmD programs.

Our overarching goals for the BSPS program are to graduate students who will have the ability to:

• demonstrate an understanding of chemical-biological interactions as related to current drugs and the discovery and development of new drugs;
• demonstrate an understanding of the governmental regulation of the drug development process, including the demanding requirement for stringently controlled research;
• apply the scientific method to address gaps in knowledge, through hypothesis formulation, data collection/analysis, and rational interpretation;
• understand the techniques, skills, and modern tools in use by pharmaceutical science industry;
• communicate effectively in written and oral presentation.

A Pharmaceutical Sciences minor is available to students who want to add an emphasis on drug design, development, and delivery into their academic plan.  The Pharmaceutical Sciences minor could be an excellent supplement for a variety of science majors, but could also be a good fit for any student with an interest in healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, or pharmacy practice.  

Refer to the PharmSci Degree Requirement Checklist to see the most updated general education and major requirements.  Students who first enrolled at UArizona prior to Fall 2023 should scroll down to the archived course plans to view their general education and major requirements.

PHARM SCI degree REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST (Effective Fall 2023)

Pharm Sci Sample Four-Year Degree Plan (Effective Fall 2023)

Archived plans and checklists from previous years can be found below:
2022/2023 checklist and plans
2021/2022 checklist and plans
2020/2021 checklist and plans
2019/2020 checklist and plans
2018/2019 checklist and plans

The Pharmaceutical Sciences minor allows students to build on the science foundation gained in their major, and to apply those scientific concepts toward the understanding and development of more effective treatments.  This minor is an excellent supplement to majors in chemistry, physiology, biochemistry, biology, and other science majors, but can be a great fit for anyone with an interest in healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry, or biotechnology.

The minor requires a minimum of 18 PCOL units, from the approved minor course list.  Almost all minor courses require prerequisites in chemistry, physiology, and/or biology.  Schedule a meeting with or email a PharmSci advisor in order to develop a course plan, and to formally declare the minor.  

Pharmaceutical Sciences Minor Requirements - (Effective Fall 2022)

Securing a research position requires effort and motivation on the student’s part. You need to identify faculty who are doing research that is of interest to you, contact them directly to discuss their work, and find out if there are opportunities for you to become involved. Approach it like a job search; you need to be resourceful, professional, and prepared.

Your first step is to identify research projects that are of interest, or find faculty who specialize in an area that really excites you. Some ways to get started include:

• Start by reviewing this College of Pharmacy Faculty Areas of Expertise document in order to learn more about the exciting research our faculty are engaging in.  If something piques your interest, you can find more details about individual faculty members' research in the College of Pharmacy Faculty Directory. (Narrow your search by Person Type: Faculty, and also by Department.) Faculty in the Pharmacology & Toxicology Department primarily focus on basic science, drug discovery, and drug development. Faculty in the Pharmacy Practice Department are more likely to do research on clinical care. 
• Read about the College of Pharmacy’s Centers, including the Arizona Center for Drug Discovery, the Arizona Poison & Drug Information Center, The Health Outcomes & Pharmacoeconomic Center, and more. Faculty and staff working in our centers are doing exciting interdisciplinary work to address issues in the community and across the world, and you may be able to participate!
• Go to UA Faculty Profiles to read about research being done by faculty across campus. Even though you are majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences, you are free to work with faculty in other departments!
• Talk to your current professors. If you’re in a course that really interests you, talk to the instructor to learn more about their research. If they aren’t currently doing research in your specific area of interest, they are likely to know someone else on campus who is. A referral from another faculty member can be a great way to land a research opportunity.
• Apply for an established research program. Numerous UA-specific and nationally-competitive research programs are available. These programs often provide paid stipends and generally assist students with the process of connecting with specific faculty mentors. Some established research programs include (but are not limited to):
  • UBRP (Undergraduate Biology Research Program)
  • Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program 
  • MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers)
  • Summer Research Institute 
  • NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Summer Research Internship

Once you have secured a research opportunity, it may be possible to earn academic credit. The amount and type of credit you will earn depends upon the number of hours you are committing. University policy requires that you complete a minimum of 45 hours of work (average 3 hours per week over the course of a semester) for each research unit earned.

Different types of research credit are available, including graded units, pass/fail units, and honors units. You and your research mentor will determine which type of credit is appropriate for your project. General guidelines are as follows:

If you are completing research with a College of Pharmacy faculty member, you will enroll in credit by completing a College of Pharmacy Research Credit Registration Form. (Fillable Word version available here.)  Your completed form should be submitted to the College of Pharmacy’s Student Services Office within the first four weeks of the semester in which you are earning credit. If you are working with a non-pharmacy faculty member, you will register for credit through that faculty member’s department.

Contact your academic advisor, or talk with your course instructors to get more information about research opportunities.

Pre-Health Advising

Advisors from the Pre-Health Advising Office can help you explore career paths in the health professions and ensure that you are on track for professional program admission. They advise students who are interested pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, physician’s assistance, etc. Your Pharmaceutical Sciences major advisor can make sure you are on track with basic academic requirements for your professional program of choice, but a Pre-Health Advisor will be able to connect you with numerous additional resources and opportunities.

Other UA Academic Advisors 

If you are interested in exploring options for a minor or double major, you may meet with an advisor in that program. You can access contact info for all advisors on campus at the Advising Resource Center.

Undergraduate Academic Catalog

All university policies are outlined in the academic catalog. Your advisor can help you navigate the catalog, but you are ultimately responsible for understanding university policies and how they impact your academic career. BSPS students should also be aware of other pharmacy-specific policies and processes.

Calendar of Dates and Deadlines

Almost all academic actions are tied to a specific deadline. If you are interested in dropping a class, registering for the upcoming semester, or applying for graduation, there is a deadline that you need to meet. Check the official UA Calendar of Dates and Deadlines to see upcoming deadlines, and talk to your academic advisor with any questions.

Tutoring/Study Groups/Writing Support

The UA Think Tank provides free drop-in tutoring, writing assistance, and supplemental instruction for popular UA courses. Use Think Tank Resources early in the semester in order to stay on track with your coursework. These services aren’t just for students who are struggling! The Think Tank can also connect students with fee-based individualized tutoring, exam prep courses, and specialized workshops.

The PharmSci Ambassadors are a team of Pharmaceutical Sciences majors who represent the interests of the BSPS student population.  Our current ambassador team consists of 7 outstanding students who have volunteered to help us create engaging programming for PharmSci students, to meet with prospective students, and to provide mentorship.  Although they are not advisors, Ambassadors are available to talk to new students about their experiences and to help them find resources and opportunities on campus. If you have questions about this major, extracurricular activities, or anything else regarding student life, please reach out to any one of our Ambassadors. They are excited to get to know you!  Meet our Current PharmSci Ambassadors!

The Pre-Pharmacy Club is a student organization for undergraduates who plan to pursue a career in pharmacy, or for any student who is interested in pharmaceutical science and healthcare.  The club offers pre-professional opportunities, networking, and social activities.  Find details about club activities, meeting dates, and membership policies on the Pre-Pharmacy Club Page.

The PharmSci Ambassadors are a team of Pharmaceutical Sciences majors who serve as representatives of the College of Pharmacy.  Ambassadors give college tours, represent the college at recruitment events, and connect with prospective undergraduate students and their families.  PharmSci Ambassadors are leaders among their peers, are enthusiastic about their academic program, and are excited to share their experiences with others.  This is a unique leadership opportunity.

The PharmSci Ambassador Program is a year-long commitment.  Applications are accepted each spring for the following academic year.

Meet our current PharmSci Ambassadors!   

The PharmSci Peer Mentor program, launching in Fall 2023, provides an opportunity for incoming first-year students to connect with more experienced PharmSci majors.  Peer mentors assist first-year students with the transition to college, help them make campus connections, share insight about the PharmSci academic experience, and serve as a general resource for navigating life at the University of Arizona.  The Peer Mentor program aims to build community in the PharmSci program, support success among incoming students, and provide a unique leadership opportunity to current students.

Students interested in becoming mentors can refer to these program details.  The application for fall mentors opens in late spring.  Incoming students who are interested in matching with a mentor will receive more information at New Student Orientation. 

Pharmaceutical scientists usually work in some aspect of the drug development process. They may:

• Design new drug therapies using natural or man-made ingredients
• Discover new ways to use existing drugs to treat different diseases
• Study how disease affects the body and causes for the development of certain diseases
• Determine the most effective formulation and dosage for a specific drug
• Work on improving the drug manufacturing process
• Advise corporations or government agencies on issues related to pharmaceutical development
• Review scientific data as a government regulator, contributing to the drug review/approval process

Work settings are broad and varied. You can work in:

• The pharmaceutical industry
• Biotech companies
• Government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Non-profit organizations, providing expertise regarding drugs and medications
• Health care insurance agencies
• Contract research organizations
• Learn more about other career options here.

The BSPS can also set you apart as a competitive candidate for professional healthcare programs in fields such as:

• Pharmacy*
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Public health
• Physical therapy
• Dentistry
• Optometry
• Learn more about these and other professional healthcare options here.

The BSPS also provides an excellent foundation for PhD, Master's, and Graduate Certificate programs in fields such as:

• Pharmacology & Toxicology
• Precision Medicine
• Drug Discovery & Development
• Law
• Business Administration
• Forensic Science
• And more!