Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
What is a BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences?
UCI’s undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences integrates concepts from biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacology, and physiology while preparing graduates for careers in the health sciences and the pharmaceutical industry.
Graduates emerge from the program with knowledge of:
- the development, characterization, and delivery of drugs
- physical, organic, and medicinal chemistry
- biology
- engineering
- pharmacology and toxicology
- healthcare
- drug interactions in the human body
- cost effectiveness of medicines
- ethics and access
- compliance
- clinical care/patient care
Future Opportunities for BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduates
- Advanced scientific degrees (PhD, PharmD, MSP, MD)
- Careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
- Healthcare (pharmacist, physician, dentist, associate, etc.)
- Pharmaceutical administration and sales
- Government regulatory positions
Research and Internship Opportunities
UCI is an R1 Research University! Undergraduate students in the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences have extensive research opportunities, including working in faculty members’ labs, writing journal articles and getting published, presenting at conferences, and participating in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)!
Research interests that our students are able to explore include synthetic biology, RNA and disease, medicinal chemistry, molecular evolution, therapeutics for childhood cancer, bioengineered tools for drug delivery, and anti-aging and health.
We offer a summer internship that allows students to experience pharmacy in the hospital setting! During this 10-week program that is exclusive to PharmSci majors, interns shadow pharmacists at the UCI Medical Center in Orange, CA.
Three-Year Plan: Fast Track to UCI’s PharmD Program
Want to graduate in three years? Have your plans set on UCI’s PharmD program?
Our plan meets ALL of UCI’s PharmD prerequisites in three years.
- Summer classes required
- AP/IB and Comm College Credit satisfy many UCI requirements
- Two senior year courses may count towards the first year of UCI’s PharmD program with grades of B or better
- Benefits: One less year of tuition and housing; start grad school or your career one year earlier than you would “traditionally”
First-Generation Students
Thirty-seven percent (37%) of all enrolled undergraduates in the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences are first-generation students. The BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program offers a Catalyst program for first-generation, low-income freshman students.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Organizations
- Peers Under PharmSci
- PharmSci Mentorship Program
- Pre-Pharmacy Society
- PharmSci Alternative Careers Association
Earn an Undergraduate Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Freshmen Applicants
Interested in applying to UCI’s B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences? Please visit the UCI Admissions website for more information.
Please note UCI Pharmaceutical Sciences does not make undergraduate admissions decisions.
Transfer Applicants
UCI Admissions handles all admissions decisions for transfer applications. Transfer applicants for the BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences must meet both the general admissions requirements for UCI transfer students and additional transfer admissions requirements for the Pharmaceutical Sciences major. View requirements on the UCI Admissions website.
Please note UCI Pharmaceutical Sciences does not make undergraduate admissions decisions.
Change of Major Students
Current UCI students who wish to change their major into Pharmaceutical Sciences must meet change of major requirements.
Change of majors must be on track to graduate within 4 years (or 3 years for transfer students). For questions and to create a change of major plan, email pharmsci@uci.edu.
Current UCI students wishing to change into Pharmaceutical Sciences should:
- Review Change of Major Requirements
- Review our 4 Year Plan. Email pharmsci@uci.edu to ensure you’ll be eligible to change.
- Submit a Change of Major Application
- Student Access > Applications on the left column > Change of Major
- If eligible, look for an email for next steps on setting up a Change of Major Workshop