Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the differences
between the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy?
- Do I need a
B.S. in pharmaceutical sciences to get into the professional
Pharmacy Program (PharmD)?
- I am interested in pharmacy. How can I get more
information?
-
What is the current job market for
pharmaceutical sciences?
-
What scholarship opportunities
are available to students in the pharmaceutical sciences
program?
-
What courses
do I need to take for admission into pharmaceutical
sciences?
-
What are the acceptance criteria for the pharmaceutical
sciences
program?
-
How many students are accepted per
year?
-
How do I apply to the
pharmaceutical sciences
program?
-
What courses
are required for
graduation?
-
I heard that you have to do a research project in order to
graduate. How does that
work?
-
I have a question about the pharmaceutical
sciences program. Who should I
contact?
1. What are the differences between the pharmaceutical sciences
and pharmacy?
The PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
are a unique interdisciplinary field of study focused on the
basic and clinical science of drug development and research.
Through basic and applied research, pharmaceutical sciences seeks
to achieve a better understanding and control of the factors
influencing clinical response to drug therapy. Emphasis is given
to the application of pharmacometrics and physical-chemical
principles to questions of pharmacological and clinical
importance.
-
Pharmaceutical Sciences is a four-year, math and science
degree program, leading to a bachelor of science (B.S.)
degree.
-
The pharmaceutical sciences provides an education in
scientific research. A person with a B.S. in pharmaceutical
sciences may become a scientific researcher.
-
The first two years of study consist of basic science course
prerequisites, while the last two years consist of pharmaceutical
science course requirements.
-
Application to the Pharmaceutical Sciences program is made
during the spring semester of the second year.
- Undergraduate tuition rates apply for all four
years.
PHARMACY is an interdisciplinary health science profession
that focuses on the provision of pharmaceutical care to
patients.
-
Pharmacy entails two years of pre-pharmacy courses followed by
four full-time years of professional study in a graduate program
leading to a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.
-
A person with a Pharm.D. degree is eligible to take the
national and state board exams to become a registered, licensed
pharmacist.
-
The pharmacy curriculum provides an education in patient
clinical care and drug therapy.
-
The first two years of study consist of basic science course
prerequisites, while the last four years consist of
pharmaceutical science course requirements.
-
Application to the pharmacy program is made during the spring
semester of the second year.
-
Professional pharmacy graduate tuition rates apply for the
last three years of the program.
Back to Top
2. Do I need a B.S. in pharmaceutical sciences to get into the
professional pharmacy program (Pharm.D.)?
No! Students interested in the professional program in
pharmacy (Pharm.D. in pharmacy) are NOT required to have a degree
in pharmaceutical sciences. The pharmaceutical sciences
undergraduate program is independent of the Pharm.D. - pharmacy
program.
Back to Top
3. I am interested in pharmacy. How can I get more
information?
If you are interested in the professional Pharmacy program at
UB, see the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Web
site for more information:
http://pharmacy.buffalo.edu
To contact Pharmacy Admissions:
Pharmacy Admissions
112 Cooke Hall
University of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York 14260-1200
tel: (716) 645-2825
e-mail: phar...@buffalo.edu
Back to Top
4. What is the current job market for pharmaceutical
sciences?
Approximately 90% of our graduates obtain employment in the
pharmaceutical industry; 10% go on to graduate school.
Our UB graduates are highly sought after by the pharmaceutical
industry. UB's program in the pharmaceutical sciences has a long
tradition of educational excellence, and a strong reputation for
producing highly qualified graduates.
According to the Annual Employment Survey conducted by the
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists:
- a person with a BS and 0-5 years of experience, can
anticipate an average salary of $42,000 with the pharmaceutical
industry;
- the pharmaceutical industry hired about 900 people with BS
degrees in the basic sciences in the previous year and projects
to hire about 1000 people with BS degrees in upcoming year.
Back to Top
5. What scholarship opportunities
are available to students in the pharmaceutical sciences
program?
- The Jones Award Scholarship is given every year to an
outstanding senior.
- Students are encouraged to work with faculty mentors to apply
for nationally advertised research scholarships offered through
Pfizer and AAPS-Gateway. Typically 1-2 students per year compete
successfully in obtaining these prestigious awards.
- Each year, the department holds a research poster
competition, where the two best posters are awarded cash prizes
(funded through the generosity of Bristol Meyer Squibb).
- Students are encouraged to present their research projects at
the annual Merck-West Virginia University Undergraduate Research
Conference. Typically 3-4 students per year are invited to
present their work at this national conference.
- Students may work on a research project during the
summer.
Back to Top
6. What courses do I need to take
for admission into pharmaceutical sciences?
To be considered for admittance to the pharmaceutical sciences
major program, applicants should have satisfactorily completed or
are currently enrolled in the required courses for the first two
years of the program:
- College Calculus I & II (MTH 121 & 122 or MTH 141 & 142)
- General Biology I & II with lab (BIO 200 and 201)
- General Chemistry I & II with lab (CHE 101 & 102 or 103 &
104)
- Organic Chemistry I & II with lab (CHE 201 & 202)
- General Physics I & II (PHY 101 & 102 or PHY 107 & 108) - no
lab required
- Science elective (3 credits)
Back to Top
7. What are the acceptance
criteria for the pharmaceutical sciences program?
To be considered for admittance to the pharmaceutical sciences
major program, applicants:
- should have satisfactorily completed or are currently
enrolled in the prerequisite courses for the first two years of
the program.
- should not be deficient in more than 2 prerequisite courses.
- Applicants with 1 or 2 missing prerequisites (biology,
calculus, physics) will be considered for the pharmaceutical
sciences program. However, students must make up those course
deficiencies during the summer and prior to the beginning of the
senior year. The pharmaceutical sciences program is sufficiently
rigorous, and does not allow for majors to correct for
prerequisite course deficiencies during the fall and spring
semesters.
-
- Applicants missing Organic Chemistry may be considered if
their academic performance is competitive. In this instance,
students might be granted provisional status with the requirement
that the Organic Chemistry requirement be fulfilled prior
to the beginning of the pharmaceutical sciences curriculum.
- Applicants with 3 or more unfulfilled prerequisites will not
be considered for admission to the program.
- Should have an overall "B-" average or better in the
prerequisite courses to be competitive for admission.
Back to Top
8. How many students are accepted
per year?
Typically, 12-15 students are accepted per year, out of 40-60
applicants. Students with overall GPAs of 2.70 or better are
competitive for admission. Students with overall GPAs less than
2.70 tend to struggle with the academic rigors of the math- and
science-based curriculum.
Back to Top
9. How do I apply to the
pharmaceutical sciences program?
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences encourages students
to apply during September through March of their sophomore year.
However, students are welcome to apply at anytime for admission
into the program starting with the next fall semester, if spaces
are still available. All applications are reviewed by the
Pharmaceutical Sciences Undergraduate Committee. Decision letters
are typically sent to applicants during the month of April.
Departmental Application Deadline for Fall
Admission: March 15
Applications received after March 15 will be considered for
fall admission only if spaces are still available.
TO APPLY:
Back to Top
10. What courses are required
for graduation?
Typical courses are listed below. Course descriptions are
available at through UB's undergraduate catalogue at: http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/0203/academicprograms/phc.shtml
- Pharmaceutical Math and Statistics (PHC 311)
- Physical Pharmacy (PHC 312)
- Case Studies in the Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHC 331)
- Introduction to Research (PHC 332)
- Undergraduate Research Project (PHC 408)
- Introduction to Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics (PHC
411)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar (PHC 413 & PHC 414)
- Pharmaceutical Principles (PHC 421)
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (PHC 425)
- Important Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHC 431)
- Methods of Scientific Communication (PHC 432)
- Pharmacology (BCP 405 & BCP 406)
- Physiology (PGY 451 & PGY 452)
- Analytical Chemistry (CHE 214)
- Biochemistry (BCH 403)
- Approved science electives of choice (10 credits)
For a list of current course requirements, contact the
pharmaceutical sciences department.
Back to Top
11. I heard that you have to do
a research project in order to graduate. How does that
work?
Yes, all students are required to take PHC 408, a 3 credit
undergraduate research participation project. A laboratory,
computer data analysis or library research experience is an
important and unique feature of the Pharmaceutical Sciences
program at UB. Students with scientific research experience are
highly sought after by prospective employers.
For PHC 408, students identify a faculty mentor who will guide
the student through their research project. This course is highly
flexible and individualized due to the nature of the one-on-one
interaction between the student and faculty member. Students are
exposed to research methods and hypothesis testing; the role of
research methods in experimental design, execution and data
analysis; and methods to communicate the research findings.
While each student is required to complete 3 credits of PHC
408, highly interested and motivated students may choose to
undertake more research credits, up to a maximum of 10 credits.
Students who elect to complete the minimum 3 required credits may
choose to enroll in other science elective courses offered by
other departments, for a minimum of 6 credits.
Back to Top
12. I have a question about the
pharmaceutical sciences program. Who should I contact?
Dr. Kathleen M. K. Boje
Director of Undergraduate Pharmaceutical Sciences Programs
H517 Cooke-Hochstetter Building
Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York 14260
Tel: (716) 645-2842 ext. 241
fax: (716) 645-3693
e-mail: boje@buffalo.edu
Back to Top
|
