Program

Pharmaceutical Sciences (BS)

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Why study pharmaceutical sciences at Northeastern?

Our Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences is a four-year undergraduate program geared toward highly motivated students who are strongly focused on careers in biomedical/pharmaceutical research, biomedicine, and/or then pharmaceutical/
biotechnology industries. This program is also suitable for students interested in pursuing premed or prehealth pathways.

As a tier one research university, Northeastern’s educational approach employs an innovative paradigm that immerses students into undergraduate research at the earliest possible time.

We promote graduate-style mentorship and experiential learning in the context of an intensive scientific curriculum with specialized educational opportunities.

Boston and the state of Massachusetts remains a powerhouse for pharmaceutical research and development. Located at the heart of Boston, our campus is surrounded by many of today’s top biopharma companies. Our school is also ranked number 1 in funding from the National Institute of Health for private universities.

Quickview

Degree types:
Bachelors

See application deadlines

Pharmaceutical Sciences BS

Curriculum

The BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences infuses graduate-style mentorship and experiential learning in the context of an intensive scientific curriculum with specialized educational opportunities.

  • Foundation in science of drug discovery, delivery, evaluation and development
  • Strong research emphasis
  • Interdisciplinary with options for specialization

Foundation Science

All students take courses in chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, physiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences.

Focus Areas

Pharmaceutical Sciences is by nature highly interdisciplinary. Students have the opportunity to delve more deeply into a variety of disciplines:

  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Structural biology
  • Medicinal chemistry
  • Pharmaceutics and the allied fields of toxicology, chemical biology and nanomedicine
  • A spectrum of emerging health science disciplines that span classical life sciences, engineering and biotechnology.

Research Emphasis

This BS program employs an innovative approach designed to provide early undergraduate students exposure to high quality laboratory-based research.

In the first year, students take Introduction to Health Science Research, a course which introduces students to the scientific literature, hypothesis generation, and use of the scientific method to investigate unsolved problems.

To facilitate student research opportunities, this course also introduces students to faculty researchers from within and outside of the university with the goal of matching students with faculty research mentors.

Experiential Learning and Co-op

Students engage in laboratory research geared to their interests through courses and experiential learning built into the curriculum.

  • Year 1 Summer: Optional volunteer research experience
  • Year 2 Summer: Co-op/Experiential Learning (4 months)
  • Year 3 Spring: Co-op/Experiential Learning (4 months)

Look Book

Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University Look Book — Students learning to intubate a patient.

Research opportunities with
distinguished faculty

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Center for Drug Discovery

The New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute

The Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nano-medicine

The Center for Translational Neuroimaging

Research co-ops are also available at Boston area pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Sample Curriculum

Sample curriculum, subject to change.

Experiential Learning

Learning extends beyond the classroom at Northeastern. Providing students with opportunities for experiential education linking coursework with the real-world is central to the mission both of the University and the Bouvé College of Health Sciences.

Our broad mix of experience-based programs — including co-op, student research, service learning, and global learning — build the connections that enable Bouvé students to transform their lives and gives them valuable opportunities to practice their profession as members of a healthcare team.

Careers

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program will have a solid foundation in the science of drug discovery, delivery, evaluation and development, as well as specialized training at the undergraduate level in research labs:

Graduates are poised to succeed at: