With a major in Pharmaceutical Sciences, you’ll gain professional skills to pursue a career as a pharmaceutical executive in management, sales or marketing.

What courses will you take?

Three students look at a computer tablet in a classroom with a human anatomy model in the background

With the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, you will take courses providing a valuable foundation in health sciences and business. 

The degree is paired with the Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management Option, which is designed for students interested in careers in health that integrate the science and business aspects of the development and marketing of new pharmaceuticals. 

Courses cover the pharmaceutical industry, the field of digital health, public health, nutrition and more, giving you a strong foundation to pursue multiple job opportunities.

Within our flexible degree curriculum, you can also choose a minor field in business, applied biomedical sciences, nutritional science or public health, depending upon your interest.

Visit the Academic Catalog for complete a course listing and to learn about the Pharmaceutical Sciences minor.

  • Degree Pathways are a semester-by-semester sequence of courses recommended for successful completion of a degree, diploma, credential or certificate from the university. The most current degree pathway is:

    Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.
    1. Apply analytical and critical thinking in trouble shooting laboratory instrumentation and procedures.
    2. Demonstrate leadership skills of accountability, delegation, education, and supervision.
    3. Clearly communicate scientific information both orally and in writing.
    4. Generate, analyze and present research results.
    5. Be admitted to and be successful in graduate/professional programs.
    6. Advance in their chosen fields.
    7. Work safely with potential chemical and biological hazards using the standards established in the workplace chemical hygiene plan, safety manual, and the blood-borne pathogen policy.

Why study pharmaceutical sciences at UMass Lowell?

Katie McGourty works in a lab

Professional Co-op Program

Explore potential career paths and apply your learning in the real world — all while earning money — in our highly successful Professional Co-op Program, which integrates full-time work experience with relevant coursework.

Microscope with multiple lenses and a slide

Advanced Facilities

Learn in state-of-the art facilities in both the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences and the Manning School of Business. 

  • Work in student laboratories equipped with the most current technology. 
  • Access the finance trading room in the Manning School of Business.
Person talking to group of medical professionals

Blend Business and Science

Gain a unique blend of business and scientific skills, preparing you to: 

  • Be a leader in pharmaceutical project management.
  • Market and promote novel therapeutics.
  • Develop entrepreneurial skills in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields.
  • Integrate new technology to promote health for diverse populations worldwide.
Three women look at a bottle of medicine

Path to Graduate School

Expand your career options with an advanced degree.

  • Enroll in a business minor for a direct pathway to the MBA program in the Manning School of Business.
  • Free electives in the senior year allow you to take any additional pre-requisite courses needed for admittance into Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences graduate programs, including the Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Master of Public Health programs.

What can you do with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences?

With the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management Option degree, you’ll be uniquely positioned for leadership roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. 

Doctor and person converse in front of a laptop computer

Our graduates are prepared for careers within the pharmaceutical and related industries in:

  • Marketing and sales
  • Business development
  • Managed care program administration
  • Project leadership
  • Quality control and regulatory affairs
  • Medical writing
  • Medical affairs
  • Research and development

Meet Our Students and Alumni

Katie McGourty works in a lab
Katie McGourty '18, '19
Applied Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Katie McGourty took advantage of UML's Bachelor’s-to-Master’s program and completed her master’s in one year. She landed a job with Pfizer Inc. in the inflammation and immunology department before she graduated.

I decided to do the accelerated B.S.-M.S. program in pharmaceutical sciences because it was a cost-effective way to get my master’s in a growing field.
Read More About Katie McGourty 
Christianto Putra poses in a lab at UMass Lowell
Christianto Putra '16, '21
Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Christianto Putra conducted research on titanium dioxide, a common food additive, for his dissertation and published the results in the Journal of Nutrition.

UMass Lowell offered me a place to learn about nutritional sciences, experience the campus culture and conduct research.
Read More About Christianto Putra 
Marita Merheb using a microscope in a UMass Lowell lab
Marita Merheb '24
Pharmaceutical Sciences

As a pharmaceutical sciences major interested in research and business, Marita Merheb pursues all opportunities to advance her goals.

All in all, UML provides high value for a lower cost, which you can’t find at other colleges.
Read More About Marita Merheb