Why Major in Pharmaceutical Studies?
At Belmont, you can prepare with plans of study to aid you in your application to pharmacy schools at the time best suited for you.
Belmont's program offers seminar classes with industry speakers and students from Belmont’s College of Pharmacy, small class sizes that promote deeper learning and connections with fellow students and professors and lab experiences that increase understanding of material and provide you with valuable hands-on skills. Research opportunities are available after freshman year.
**The Pharmaceutical Studies major fulfills all prerequisites for Belmont University’s PharmD program, including the required writing, communication, social science, humanities and religion coursework.
What You'll Learn
Coursework has been optimized to best prepare students for a variety of careers within pharmaceutical science. For those interested in earning a PharmD:
- You will build a strong foundation in the sciences and math.
- You will gain exposure to healthcare systems through coursework and internships.
For those interested in pharmaceutical sales:
- You will focus on the business and communications functions of the field.
Program Details
Curriculum
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The pharmaceutical studies major leads to a bachelor of science. It requires 128 hours of coursework:
- BELL core requirements: 53 hours
- Major requirements: 38 hours
- Track requirements: 13 hours
- General electives: 20 hours
Students in the Pharmaceutical Studies Program will select one of two possible tracks: Sales or Pharmacy school.
The program does not require a minor due to number of hours and its interdisciplinary nature.
Courses You'll Take
BIO 1150 Principles of Biology I Lecture: This course introduces students to biochemistry, cellular biology and genetics. Students will also take BIO 1155 Principles of Biology I Lab.
BIO 1160 Principles of Biology II Lecture: This course introduces students to evolution, diversity of organisms, plant and animal structure and function and ecological relationships. Students will also take BIO 1165 Principles of Biology II Lab.
CEM 1510 General Chemistry I: General Chemistry I is the first course of a two semester introduction to chemistry intended for science majors. During the first semester of General Chemistry, covered topics include: atomic & molecular structure, chemical bonding models, stoichiometry, reactivity patterns and an introduction to the gas laws. Students will also take CEM 1515 General Chemistry I Lab.
CEM 1520 General Chemistry II: The second course of a two semester introduction to chemistry intended for science majors. Topics covered second semester include: Thermochemistry & Thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, acid/base chemistry, electrochemistry and an introduction to chemical kinetics. Students will also take CEM 1525 General Chemistry II Lab.
CEM 2810 Organic Chemistry I: Organic Chemistry I is the first course of a two semester sequence that examines the chemistry of carbon compounds. In the first semester, the focus is on the properties and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides and alcohols. This course includes a laboratory component.
CEM 2820 Organic Chemistry II: Organic Chemistry II is the second course of a two semester sequence that examines the chemistry of carbon compounds. The second course continues the exploration of the properties and reactions of organic compounds through the study of aromatic and carbonyl compounds. This course includes a laboratory component.
PHY 1110 Precalculus-Based Physics I: This course provides an introduction to the principles of linear and rotational motion, including Newton’s laws, energy, momentum and fluids. Quantitative as well as qualitative aspects of the subject are developed utilizing precalculus. This course should be taken concurrently with PHY 1115 (Precalculus-based Physics I Laboratory).
MTH 1210, Calculus I: An introduction to analytical geometry, limits, integration and differentiation.
MTH 1151, Elementary Statistics for the Sciences: The study of statistical procedures widely used in the sciences. Topics include modeling with probability distributions, multiple regression, analysis of variance, chi-square tests, nonparametric statistics and bootstrapping. Analysis of data using computer software will relate to the sciences. Special emphasis will be placed on the communication of statistical results from scientific research.
Pharmaceutical Studies to PharmD 2+4/3+4
Belmont's Early Assurance program gives aspiring pharmacists a direct, faster and less expensive path to their dream career! Incoming freshmen who choose pre-pharmacy at Belmont University are eligible for Early Assurance to the PharmD program by meeting program requirements as outlined below. Students who are still on track to complete 63 credits by the end of their second year but do not meet all of the eligibility requirements for the Early Assurance Program are still encouraged to apply to the PharmD program as they enter their sophomore year. 2+4 students are also invited to participate in shadowing opportunities and College of Pharmacy student organizations to maintain connections early in their studies at Belmont.
For students hoping to earn a bachelor's degree in a shortened timeframe prior to transitioning to the PharmD can take an extra year in their undergraduate and earn their bachelor's degree.
Career Possibilities
- Certified Pharmacy Technician -- Assists in a pharmacy under the guidance of a pharmacist
- Registered Pharmacist (Pharm.D.) -- Practices pharmacy in a hospital or other clinical setting, a retail environment or in a pharmaceutical or insurance company
- Pharmaceutical Scientist (Ph.D.) -- Has a doctoral degree in pharmaceutical sciences and is equipped to perform research in a pharmaceutical company or become a professor in a pharmacy school
- Pharmaceutical Representative -- Involved in sales and marketing for a particular pharmaceutical company
Alumni Testimonials
Taylor Corbin
"Belmont's pharmacy program provided a firm foundation in my undergraduate years, and my drive and determination to continue exploring pushes me forward as I move on in the graduate program. My professors continue to go the extra mile to provide me with whatever support I need, while also allowing me to dictate my own path."
"I left Belmont undergrad with a deep understanding of the sciences, as well as the ability to believe in myself and be confident in my success and that I am on the right path. I will forever appreciate the community that I built within CSM and the Pharmaceutical Studies program. I gained best friends and meaningful relationships with professors that I am not sure can be found anywhere else."
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College of Sciences & Mathematics
Spencer Hayes
Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.6489
Email Spencer