Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences is designed for students who are planning to obtain both a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in seven years. It provides a solid science foundation and broad liberal arts education while preparing students for careers in the areas of research/laboratory work, quality control, and administration in pharmaceutics, biotechnology, and healthcare industries.

This major is open to incoming first-year students. Current students can declare this major if they have been admitted to the Temple University School of Pharmacy and have completed the undergraduate major requirements. In order to complete this major, students must successfully complete all major requirements and their first year of coursework at the Temple University School of Pharmacy.

The BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences is a 4-year, non-licensure, undergraduate bachelor's degree program, and does not qualify the student for state board examination to become a registered pharmacist.

Students must meet the admissions requirements for early admission to the Temple University School of Pharmacy. All students, including Pharmaceutical Sciences majors, must formally apply to the PharmD through PharmCAS.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-PS-BS

Contact Information

Susan Varnum, Program Director and Professor of Chemistry
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education​
College of Science and Technology​
Gladfelter Hall, Room 629
215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu

Joan Hankins, BBA, Director of Admissions
School of Pharmacy
215-707-4900
joan.hankins@temple.edu

College of Science and Technology
Center for Academic Advising and Professional Development
Tuttleman Learning Center, Suite 111
1809 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia PA 19122-6073
215-204-2890
cstadv@temple.edu

Office of Pre-Professional Health Advising
Mitten Hall, Suite 110
215-204-2513
healthadvising@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      SCTC 2396Writing for Science and Technology (WI)3
      Add one additional writing-intensive course3
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above). Up to 33 credits taken during the first year at the School of Pharmacy can be used toward this requirement.
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (47-50 s.h.)
    At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. Pharmacy courses will count towards this requirement.
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    Organic Chemistry for Majors I
    and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    Organic Chemistry for Majors II
    and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    Biology
    BIOL 1111Introduction to Organismal Biology4
    or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
    Select one of the following:4
    Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    Mathematics
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    Physics
    Select one of the following:4
    Introduction to General Physics I
    Elementary Classical Physics I
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
    General Physics I
    Honors General Physics I
    Anatomy & Physiology
    Select one of the following: 13-4
    Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I
    Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    Mammalian Anatomy (F)
    Select one of the following: 13-4
    Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II
    Human Anatomy and Physiology II
    Mammalian Physiology (S)
    Data Science or Economics
    Select one of the following:3
    Macroeconomic Principles
    Microeconomic Principles
    Honors Macroeconomic Principles
    Honors Microeconomic Principles
    Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences
    Science and Technology
    SCTC 2396Writing for Science and Technology (WI)3
    Writing-Intensive
    Writing-Intensive Course (WI)3-4
    Total Credit Hours47-50
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    The anatomy and physiology courses must either both be KINS courses or BIOL courses. Students may not mix and match these courses.

  4. School of Pharmacy requirements (33 s.h.)

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
 
Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
 
MATH 1041
Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
4
SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar 1
Select one of the following: 3
Macroeconomic Principles
or Honors Macroeconomic Principles
 
Microeconomic Principles
or Honors Microeconomic Principles
 
Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences  
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 1111
Introduction to Organismal Biology
or Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
4
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
 
Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
 
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
or Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
 
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
 
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
 
Organic Chemistry for Majors I
and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)
 
Organic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
 
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
 
Organic Chemistry for Majors II
and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)
 
Organic Chemistry for Honors II
and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
 
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to General Physics I  
Elementary Classical Physics I
or Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
 
General Physics I
or Honors General Physics I
 
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
Elective 3
Elective 2
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
Select one of the following: 1 3-4
Mammalian Anatomy (F)  
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I (F)  
Human Anatomy and Physiology I  
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
Writing-Intensive Course (WI) 3-4
Elective 3
Elective 3-0
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following: 1 3-4
Mammalian Physiology (S)  
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II (S)  
Human Anatomy and Physiology II  
SCTC 2396 Writing for Science and Technology [WI] 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
School of Pharmacy courses 16
 Credit Hours16
Spring
School of Pharmacy courses 17
 Credit Hours17
 Total Credit Hours123
1

The anatomy and physiology courses must either both be KINS courses or BIOL courses. Students may not mix and match these courses.

(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course

NOTES:

  • 62-65 credits - required undergraduate prerequisites for admission to the Pharmacy Program.
  • 28-25 credits - required to complete undergraduate degree requirements, including GenEd and Writing Intensive requirements not satisfied with the 62-65 credits required for admission to the Pharmacy Program.
  • 33 credits - School of Pharmacy credits.