Pharmaceutical sciences is more than just the study of drugs—it’s a gateway to making a real impact on the health and well-being of people worldwide. From developing life-saving treatments for a variety of diseases impacting human health to discovering new ways to deliver medication more effectively, pharmaceutical sciences is at the forefront of medical innovation.
If you’re passionate about improving public health and want a rewarding career that makes a difference, here’s an overview of what pharmaceutical sciences entails, and the five benefits you can expect from studying this specialty.
What Is Pharmaceutical Sciences?
Pharmaceutical sciences is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the discovery, development, and delivery of new drugs and therapies to improve health outcomes. It merges various disciplines—including chemistry, biology, and pharmacology—to create innovative solutions that address complex medical challenges.
“It’s about making compounds that have the potential to change and impact human life,” says Lori Ferrins, Associate Professor at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences.
Whether it’s discovering new treatments for infectious diseases or addressing rare conditions that might otherwise go under-researched, pharmaceutical scientists play a critical role in advancing medical science and healthcare.
If you’re interested in making this kind of difference, here are five benefits you can expect from studying pharmaceutical sciences.
5 Benefits of Studying Pharmaceutical Sciences
1. Public Health Impacts
By working at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and medicine, pharmaceutical sciences tackle some of the most urgent public health issues such as chronic diseases and pandemics.
Whether it’s the development of vaccines or treatments for widespread illnesses, their work has the potential to affect entire populations.
“Since our research focuses on infectious diseases, we’re always thinking about how to potentially circumvent the next big health issue,” Ferrins adds.
While Ferrins’ work is concentrated in medicinal chemistry, these goals are echoed across various pharmaceutical science disciplines. No matter the degree focus—like drug delivery or pharmacology—the primary objective remains the same: developing life-changing medications that address important, unmet therapeutic needs.
Studying pharmaceutical sciences allows you to contribute to this essential mission, making a profound impact on both individual patients and public health on a global scale.
2. Diverse Career Opportunities
Pharmaceutical science graduates enjoy a wide range of career paths, from laboratory research to roles in regulatory affairs, medical communications, and clinical research. David Janero, Teaching Professor and Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Programs at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences, breaks down the career paths into two main branches:
- Wet lab research: Careers that conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and directly contribute to the invention and development of new drugs.
- Non-wet lab roles: Careers in clinical research, regulatory affairs, medical communications, competitive intelligence, cheminformatics, and more, bridging the gap between research and application.
Within these branches, pharmaceutical science program graduates can work in several industries. “We have graduates working successfully in everything from startups to large pharmaceutical companies and even government roles,” Janero adds.
According to an analysis of job posting data, the top industries hiring pharmaceutical scientists are:
- Scientific research and development services
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Educational hospitals
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing
- Government agencies
With the pharmaceutical industry continuing to grow and evolve, graduates have the flexibility to explore numerous roles that contribute to advancing healthcare worldwide.
3. Innovation and Research Opportunities
Whether it’s developing novel drug delivery systems or discovering treatments for complex diseases, pharmaceutical scientists are constantly pushing the boundaries of medical science. This focus on innovation not only leads to life-saving therapies but also addresses significant unmet medical needs.
One of the most exciting areas of research is the advancements in treating rare and under-researched diseases. These conditions, such as Huntington’s disease and cystic fibrosis, often receive less attention from large pharmaceutical companies due to limited market incentives. However, these conditions affect thousands of patients who are in urgent need of new therapies.
“Right now we’re trying to address rare and under-researched diseases that might not be directly prioritized by large pharma,” Dr. Ferrins says. “But they still have significant public health impacts.”
By pursuing a career in pharmaceutical sciences, you have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research that not only shapes the future of medicine but also brings hope to patients suffering from conditions that are often overlooked.
4. Job Stability and Demand
The pharmaceutical industry continues to experience steady growth, offering stable and promising career prospects for professionals in the field. With the ongoing demand for new drugs and treatments, pharmaceutical scientists are essential to the development and advancement of healthcare solutions.
This demand is reflected in an analysis of job postings data, which projects a five percent increase in pharmaceutical science job openings from 2024 to 2026.
This growth spans both public and private sectors, providing a wide range of employment opportunities in government agencies, research institutions, hospitals, and private pharmaceutical companies.
“Pharmaceutical science is growing,” Janero adds. “And we’re seeing a consistent demand for our Pharmaceutical Sciences MS graduates across multiple sectors—from drug companies to government regulatory agencies.”
Therefore, if you’re seeking a stable and impactful career, earning a degree in pharmaceutical sciences offers both job security and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in peoples’ lives.
5. High Earning Potential
As the industry continues to grow, professionals with expertise in these areas are often well-compensated for their contributions to developing new therapies and improving healthcare outcomes. According to an analysis of job postings data, the median salary for pharmaceutical scientists with a master’s degree is $116.5K.
The financial outlook is particularly strong in certain industries, where the need for innovation and new drug development is high. Masters-level scientists in these sectors frequently experience salary growth as they advance through different levels of responsibility.
“Masters-level scientists, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, have the potential for high salaries,” Janero says. “There are plenty of research positions that have upward growth in responsibilities, often labeled Scientist I, Scientist II, and so on, with salary increases at each level.”
This structured advancement allows professionals in pharmaceutical sciences to have tangible financial rewards as they gain experience and take on more challenging roles.
Start a Career in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Earning a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences is a powerful way to launch a successful career in this vital field. Therefore, you should consider earning a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences, which offers an exceptional opportunity to prepare for a rewarding career in a rapidly growing industry.
With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, Northeastern provides students with hands-on experience through co-op placements, paid internships, and research projects. “Experiential learning at Northeastern is key,” Ferrins concludes. “You’re not just learning in the classroom, but doing—whether through co-op placements or research projects.”
This practical approach, combined with access to a robust network of industry connections, ensures that graduates are equipped to make an immediate impact in fields like biotechnology, regulatory affairs, and drug development. Take the next step toward a meaningful and impactful career by earning your master’s degree at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences.
