Pharmaceutical Sciences

Jump-start your journey by enrolling in Duquesne University’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) program.  Through a well‑rounded scientific education and immersive, hands‑on learning experiences, you’ll graduate prepared not only for health‑care pathways but also for high‑impact roles across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, drug development, regulatory affairs, and federal agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

From your early semesters, you’ll engage in undergraduate research alongside faculty who are active in drug discovery, formulation science, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and regulatory science. These experiences—paired with one‑on‑one faculty mentorship—help you build technical expertise, deepen your scientific thinking, and gain the professional confidence needed to excel in competitive industry and FDA‑related roles.

The BSPS degree is an Early Assurance Program (EAP), which means it seamlessly integrates your undergraduate studies with a direct route to our medical school. Through this streamlined path to achieving your bigger goals, you'll enjoy peace of mind and a simplified path to working in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and more.

Ready to become a pharmaceutical sciences major? Take the next step by enrolling at Duquesne University.

Start Your Application

Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Duquesne?

  • Scholarships: Up to $30,000 in scholarships each year.
  • Customizable curriculum: Choose from 3 track options - pharmacology, pharmaceutics or medicinal chemistry.
  • Undergraduate research: Conduct ground-breaking research with our faculty. Build your professional experience and sharpen your competitive edge.
  • Direct entry to Duquesne University's medical school: Waive MCAT requirement for qualifying students.
  • Pathways to other health professions: A degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences can prepare you for careers as a chemist, material scientist, pharmacist, dentist, physician or surgeon.

Receive Comprehensive Support

During your time in the BSPS program, your professors act as mentors, offering their expertise, professional insight, and time outside of the classroom. Whether you have questions about which career path suits you best or want to gain additional experience researching alongside faculty, we create an environment where you can build transformative relationships with professors and staff. 

Secure Your Spot in Duquesne's College of Medicine

Enrolling in our bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences creates a direct pathway into our medical school after graduation. As a student in the BSPS program, you save additional time, money, and effort and eliminates the stress of going through the traditional med school application process. Additionally, if you are a qualified student, you will receive a waiver covering the fee to take the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®).

Program Information

Unlock your potential with our Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program. Explore drug discovery, research, and industry insights. Apply now!

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

Duration

4 Years

Required Credit Hours

122-128

Modality

In-Person

What You'll Learn in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Major

Designed with your success in mind, Duquesne's pharmaceutical sciences degree program offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate education.

During your first two years of the BSPS program, you take a series of fundamental classes that lay the foundation for more advanced coursework and graduate studies. Your core classes explore essential topics like biological sciences, chemistry and mathematics, giving you a comprehensive foundation of how the human body functions. Along with building your understanding of scientific principles, you also gain critical hands-on laboratory experience that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

Additionally, you enroll in a series of ethics and humanities courses in the BSPS program. Taking classes in writing and analysis, ethical reasoning, global history and more improves your communication abilities and supports your growth as a competent professional.

Learn more about the BSPS degree program by exploring the course lists.

As a pharmaceutical sciences major, you can personalize your undergraduate education by choosing from the following three tracks that direct your course of study in years three and four:

  • Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry)
  • Pharmacy Administration/Social and Administrative Sciences
  • Pre-Health

With this highly focused training, you graduate empowered with insightful expertise, advanced clinical training, and access to discipline-approved electives. Whichever track you choose, you develop a diverse skill set that translates into the workforce or your graduate education pursuits.

Have Questions About the BSPS Program?

Contact the Admissions Team!

Jason Stack, Ed.D., MBA

Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Retention

Jack Collyer

Admissions Counselor

Admissions Information

Due to the robust nature of our B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, our admissions process is selective to ensure that you and other applicants can excel. If you are interested in applying to the pharmaceutical sciences program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 (3.7 GPA for the Early Assurance Program)
  • Earned at least a 27 on the ACT or 1280 on the SAT* (EAP only)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency

*Students with higher test scores (ACT 29 or SAT 1300) may be admitted without the MCAT requirement, contingent upon maintaining a 3.5 GPA.

When starting your application, please follow the first-year admissions process, which includes submitting:

  • The online application
  • Your official high school transcripts
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Standardized test scores

Undergraduate admissions deadlines are as follows:

  • Early Action: November 15
  • Regular Decision: January 15

A limited number of students are selected annually for conditional admission, provided they maintain program requirements and achieve necessary academic standards.

For more information regarding conditional admission into the bachelor's in pharmaceutical sciences program, please contact Jack%20Collyer.

Item Fee
Electronic Devices $649 iPad
Graduation Regalia ~$200

Learn about Duquesne's tuition rates.

Natasha Karlik Headshot

Majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences has allowed me to explore my interest in drug mechanisms by providing a strong foundation in multiple science disciplines. I plan to attend medical school to become a physician. My background in pharmaceutical sciences will reinforce my future prescribing decisions.

Natasha Karlik BSPS Student, Class of 2026

Career Paths for Pharmaceutical Sciences Majors

Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences opens up an expansive range of professional opportunities. In this major, you explore the structure and function of the human body, biological sciences, chemistry, and other highly versatile fields, equipping you to advance into many different sectors within the healthcare industry.

While the following roles require advanced education and training, earning a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences can prepare you for professional paths such as:

  • Chemist or Material Scientist
  • Dentist 
  • Pharmacist
  • Physician or Surgeon