Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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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.

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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: pharm-admin@buffalo.edu

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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.

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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.

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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)

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7. What are the acceptance criteria for the pharmaceutical sciences program?

To be considered for admittance to the pharmaceutical sciences major program, applicants:

1. should have satisfactorily completed or are currently enrolled in the prerequisite courses for the first two years of the program.
2. 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.

3. Should have an overall "B-" average or better in the prerequisite courses to be competitive for admission.

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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.

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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:

• If you intend to transfer to UB, you should apply to:

  1. the University of Buffalo for general admission; and
  2. the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences for the pharmaceutical sciences major

     Download application form (pdf format)

• If you are currently enrolled at UB, you can apply to the pharmaceutical sciences program by submitting an application to the pharmaceutical sciences department

     Download application form (pdf format)

• Unlike the professional pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, there are no requirements for entrance exams (PCATs) or letters of recommendation.

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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.

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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.

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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

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