Pharmaceutical Sciences

Freshmen admitted to the university directly enroll in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 

Both transfer students from other universities and current Ohio State students seeking to change their major must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA to be able to enroll in the major. Interested students should view the College of Pharmacy's transfer overview for more information.

Pharmaceutical sciences courses in the BSPS curriculum include drug discovery and development, biochemistry, physiology and human disease, ethics and professionalism, and instrumental analysis. Major course work includes courses in the core pharmaceutical sciences: pharmaceutics, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacy practice. Students must also take course work in organic and general chemistry, biology, physiology, microbiology, and calculus, as well as pharmaceutical science electives and choice sciences.

In learning the disciplines of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical administration, BSPS students study the areas of drug discovery, delivery, action, and therapy.

The College of Pharmacy provides opportunities for students to participate in the Honors Program, various Scholars programs and the Early Assurance Program for the Doctor of Pharmacy. All of these students have the opportunity to live in the Pharmacy Living Learning Community, a living-learning community for students of all majors with an interest in pharmacy.

Learn more about the BSPS Honors Program.

Early Assurance Program

The Early Assurance Program provides admission to the College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program for a select group of freshmen. The pathway is intended to guarantee talented students the opportunity to enter the PharmD program after the completion of prerequisites and a bachelor’s degree. 

To be eligible for admission to the Early Assurance Program, students must meet the following requirements:

• be current high school seniors
• be admitted to Ohio State’s Columbus campus for the autumn term
• submit a separate application to the College of Pharmacy Office of Recruitment and Admissions

Students who want to learn more about pharmaceutical professions and professional school admissions may be interested in joining the Pharmacy Club.

BSPS students are also invited to join the BSPS Mentor program, where they will be paired with an upper-class student pursuing similar goals. We will host community activities where students can build one-on-one relationships with their mentor, who will help guide them through their first year in the BSPS program.

A Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences provides students with a strong scientific foundation in drug development, formulation and evaluation. This prepares them for a variety of entry‑level roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Roles and pathways

Graduates often begin their careers in areas such as:

• Pharmaceutical sales and marketing
• Quality assurance and quality control
• Regulatory support
• Laboratory‑based research assistance

The BSPS degree also serves as a launching point for further education, positioning students well for graduate study in:

• Pharmaceutical sciences
• Professional programs in medicine or dentistry
• Continued training in other health‑related fields.

This is a non‑licensure degree, but it opens the door to numerous scientific and industry‑focused opportunities.

Graduate study

Graduate study in the pharmaceutical sciences allows students to develop deep expertise in specialized areas of drug research and development in a number of fields:

• Medicinal chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Pharmaceutics
• Drug delivery

Graduates are prepared for high‑level scientific roles in academia, government, and the pharmaceutical industry. These degrees lead to careers in:

• Drug discovery
• Preclinical and clinical research
• Formulation science
• Regulatory strategy
• Scientific leadership

Many graduates contribute to the development of new therapies, design and interpret research studies, or teach and mentor future scientists. A master’s or doctoral degree significantly expands career possibilities and positions graduates for roles that require advanced scientific judgment and innovation.

Further education

The Doctor of Pharmacy is the professional degree required for pharmacist licensure and prepares graduates for patient‑centered roles across the healthcare system. PharmD graduates work in:

• Community pharmacies
• Hospitals
• Ambulatory care clinics
• Specialty practice settings

They manage medication therapy, counsel patients and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Many pursue post‑graduate residency or fellowship training to specialize in areas such as:

• Oncology
• Critical care
• Infectious diseases
• Medical affairs
• Drug safety 

The PharmD pathway is ideal for those who want to practice as clinicians, optimize patient outcomes and play a direct role in healthcare delivery.