The pharmacology and toxicology program at Saint Joseph’s is one of the few undergraduate programs of its kind in the country. Examine the effectiveness and toxicity of chemicals and medications as a pharmacology and toxicology major through a hands-on, career-focused curriculum.
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development
Saint Joseph’s is one of the few colleges in the U.S. to offer a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development program. This unique undergraduate program, including the minor, provides you with the theoretical understanding and laboratory-based skills to develop, formulate, manufacture and test drugs and cosmetics. You’ll sharpen your technical skills through nine laboratory-based courses and faculty-directed undergraduate research projects that you can present in our annual undergraduate research symposium.
What Sets Our Program Apart
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Our program provides unparalleled preparation for medical school. You’ll complete the basic courses required for admission to medical school in your first two years.
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Our curriculum encourages you to take multiple elective courses that allow you to pursue a minor in a specific discipline or develop an area of specialization.
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The Explorers and Scholars in Science Program allows selected first-year students to conduct eight weeks of full time research with a faculty mentor during the summer following their first undergraduate year at Saint Joseph’s University. The program includes a stipend, and scholars present at a summer research symposium.
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Working closely with faculty, you’ll conduct undergraduate research that you can then present at our annual undergraduate research symposium, as well as local, regional and national science conferences.
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You’ll get to work in state-of-the-art learning labs and facilities, including a compounding laboratory where you’ll learn basic compounding, pharmaceutical manufacturing and cosmetics science. You’ll also be exposed to equipment in our Industrial Pharmacy Laboratory (IPHL), a full-scale, GLP-compliant pharmaceutical research facility serving drug delivery research needs.
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Our long-standing relationships with many companies and organizations create numerous choices for internships and job opportunities in pharmaceutical sciences and drug development. Recent internship sites include Colorcon, Merck & Co, Inc. and PhMRA.
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If you’re a current undergraduate student completing a BS in pharmaceutical sciences and drug development, you can begin earning credits towards the Master of Science in Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy or Master of Science in Pharmaceuticsthrough Saint Joseph’s University's 4+1 program. This unique program allows undergraduate students to earn a master’s degree in drug development and industrial pharmacy in just five years. Students interested in this option must apply to the graduate program in their junior year and be conditionally accepted before they complete their bachelor's degree.
Why Study Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development in Philadelphia?
Saint Joseph’s is one of the few universities in the U.S. that offers a BS in pharmaceutical sciences and drug development. Here in Philadelphia, you’re in the heart of the biotechnology and health science industry, surrounded by 250 medical facilities and within two hours of 75% of all U.S. pharmaceutical firms. The city’s diverse population and rich healthcare employment opportunities offer a unique environment to gain experience in pharmaceutical research and drug development. Become a practice-ready pharmaceutical scientist in a range of areas through Saint Joseph’s full-time and part-time program at our University City location.
Program Details
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The pharmaceutical sciences and drug development curriculum provides you with a basic foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics and pharmaceutics, meant to foster an understanding of physicochemical and pharmaceutical principles. Technical skills are developed and honed through several laboratory-based courses and faculty-directed undergraduate research projects.
View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
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BS/MS in Pharmaceutics
Highly qualified prospective students may seek admission to the combined BS in pharmaceutical sciences and drug development/MS in pharmaceutics degree program. Successful students will receive the BS degree at the completion of their fourth year and the MS degree at the end of their fifth year.
Health Professions Pathways
The pharmaceutical sciences and drug development major is a great precursor to medical school. We offer health professions advising for students who are interested in pursuing a science- or health-related career. You can participate in our pre-health professions (pre-med) program, which provides the tools, preparation and foundation to gain admission to medical school, as well as dental, veterinary, optometry or podiatry schools.
Double Majors and Minors
Here at Saint Joseph’s, we encourage you to double major or add a minor to make your experience rewarding and unique. The following majors or minors can complement your pharmaceutical sciences and drug development degree:
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As a pharmaceutical sciences and drug development student at Saint Joseph’s University, you’ll benefit greatly from our emphasis on hands-on learning. You’ll enjoy a multifaceted learning experience which includes:
- Optional research with faculty in your fourth year
- Electives that may be satisfied with research credits
- Paid technician work opportunities on funded research projects
- The Student Research Society, which gives you the chance to network with peers, visit pharmaceutical companies and gain exposure to industry scientists
- Summer internships in pharmaceutical companies in the Philadelphia and New York metropolitan areas including Colorcon, Merck & Co., Inc., PhMRA, Rohto-Mentholatum Research Laboratories, West Pharmaceutical Services and Cephalon Inc.
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The tuition for a pharmaceutical sciences and drug development major entering fall 2022 is $27,500/year*. *Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page for a detailed cost breakdown.
Financial aid in the form of scholarships, federal and state grants, loans and discount eligibility may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.
What Can I Do with a Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development Degree?
The demand for graduates with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences is very high and growing. As a specialist in pharmaceutical sciences, you might aid in developing, manufacturing and evaluating products such as tablets, capsules, ointments and liquids for medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic use. Excellent entry-level positions are available in:
- Biotechnology companies
- Specialty dosage form development laboratories
- Cosmetics industry
- Government agencies
- Hospitals
You’ll also be well-prepared to pursue MS or PhD degrees in the sciences, as well as enter medical/osteopathic, dental, veterinary or law school.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Admission Information
To apply for the Pharmaceutical Chemistry BS program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they will strengthen your application.
Learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply as a first-year student, transfer student or international student. You can also get a feel for life as a Hawk with our in-person and virtual visit opportunities.
Explore Other Degree Programs
Become a practice-ready pharmacist in a range of areas through Saint Joseph’s direct entry pharmacy program. Enter the program as a first-year undergraduate student or transfer student to earn a bachelor’s in pharmaceutical and healthcare studies and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in six years. If you already have the prerequisites completed or have a baccalaureate degree, you can enter directly into the professional phase of the program.
As a pharmaceutical chemistry student, you’ll learn all aspects of drug development, from initial design to delivery. You’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience and use sophisticated equipment in laboratory courses such as Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry and Chemical Synthesis. You’ll also have the opportunity to intern and conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member and an industrial/governmental scientist.