BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics Major

Pharmaceutics is the science of preparing and dispensing drugs. Pharmaceutics is a multidisciplinary applied science which studies the physical and chemical attributes of drugs. It places a strong emphasis on the design and evaluation of drug delivery systems and dosage forms and also on the understanding and control of the factors influencing clinical response to drug therapy. Specialists in pharmaceutics aid in developing, manufacturing, and evaluating products such as tablets, capsules, ointments, and liquids for medicinal, nutritional, and cosmetic use.

What can I do with a major in Pharmaceutics?

The breadth and depth of the program prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates can work as drug analysts, manufacturing/production technologists, quality control inspectors, technical writers, and research associates in the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry, hospitals, and university settings. Graduates can also move on to graduate studies in the field, medical school, or other professional school.

Career Opportunities

Types of Employers

Pharmaceutical Industry Sales/Marketing
Chemical Ingredient Manufacturer, Sales/Marketing
Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer, Sales/Marketing
Research Consumer Safety Officer
Drug Analyst
Quality Control/Quality Assurance
Science Librarian/Education
Manufacturing/Production Technologist
Formulation Technologist
Nutritional Products Formulations
Flavor Specialist, Flavor Manufacturer
Coloring Specialist, Pigment Manufacturer
Perfumer Specialist, Odorant Manufacturer

Private and Non-profit Organizations

Pharmaceutical Industry Companies
Cosmetic Manufacturers
Personal Care Products Manufacturers
Household Products Manufacturer
Chemical Ingredient Manufacturers
Colleges/Universities
Managed Care Systems Hospitals
Medical Center Compounding
Nuclear Pharmacy Compounding
Clinical Research Organizations
Clinical Trial Production
OTC Manufacturers
National Compounding Centers

Government Agencies

U.S. Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Pharmacopeia
FBI and CIA

Student Learning Outcomes

Apply pharmaceutical and analytical techniques to perform and/or evaluate an independent research project
Assess the physico-chemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to justify its formulation into a dosage form
Utilize concepts of drug delivery to rationalize modified release dosage forms and transdermal drug delivery systems
Predict chemical, biochemical, and pharmaceutical properties applicable to dosage forms using quantitative methods
Explain the scientific basis related to quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques applied in Pharmaceutics
Predict pharmacokinetic profiles of dosage forms and dosing regimen.

PHARmaceutics Professional Division Curriculum

Links for Pharmaceutics Majors

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists: aaps.org
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: aacp.org
USAJobs Students and Recent Graduates: usajobs.gov
BioOhio Career Center: bioohio.com
Occupational Outlook Handbook: bls.gov

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences