Curriculum & Internships
Curriculum
The 120-credit curriculum has three distinct components:
- 40 credits of general education requirements, which will provide broad exposure to the humanities, arts, and sciences.
- 41-44 credits of basic science and mathematics courses, which will deliver a firm foundation in the sciences, and satisfy admission requirements for most science graduate programs and professional schools.
- 45 credits of BSPS core requirements, which will offer you a strong basic and applied understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences. This includes 6 credits in experiential learning (3 credits internship and 3 credits of independent study).
Within the 45 credits of core requirements, Students have the option to tailor their academic program to prepare them for the specific career paths that they choose by substituting up to 12 credits of BSPS core requirements with pre-approved professional electives. The associate dean will maintain a list of approved professional electives.
* The sum of the 3 component credit amounts exceed 120 credits because some of the basic science and math courses are also general education courses
General Education Requirements
BSPS students must meet University and College of Pharmacy General Education Requirements in order to graduate. A number of specific courses listed as General Education Courses in the University Bulletin meet College requirements in the following categories; Writing and communications B1, B2 and B4 general education requirements are satisfied by WRT106 and COM100. Knowledge in the social and behavioral science area (A2) requirement is satisfied by ECN201. URI101 is required for all incoming first-year students. These courses are included in the 40 credits of general education electives. The STEM (A1) Mathematics (B3) general education requirements are satisfied by and are included in the basic science and mathematics credits listed in the table above.
BSPS Basic Science and Mathematics
These required courses are drawn from several University programs and provide a solid grounding in the basic sciences that support the upper level BSPS courses and meet the admission requirements of most basic science graduate programs and professional degree programs.
BSPS Core Requirements
BSPS Core requirements consist of 45 credits of BPS courses that provide students with a fundamental and applied understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences. This includes 6 credits in experiential learning (3 credits internship and 3 credits of independent study).
BSPS Professional Electives
View Available Professional Electives
Within the 45 credits of core requirements, Students have the option to tailor their academic program to prepare them for the specific career paths that they choose by substituting up to 12 credits of BSPS core requirements with pre-approved professional electives. The associate dean will maintain a list of approved professional electives. These courses will be chosen with the help of the program advisor.
Students who elect to enter graduate programs in the basic sciences may choose courses appropriate to a particular discipline. All BSPS Electives must meet the approval of the Program Advisor. There are no requirements for certification or licensing associated with the BSPS degree.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| General Chemistry I (A1) | CHM 101 | 3 |
| General Chemistry Lab I | CHM 102 | 1 |
| General Biology I (A1) | BIO 101 | 3 |
| General Biology Lab 1 (A1) | BIO 103 | 1 |
| Communication Fundamentals (B2) | COM 100 | 3 |
| Planning for Academic Success | URI 101 | 1 |
| MTH 103 or MTH 131) | 3 | |
| Total | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| General Chemistry II | CHM 112 | 3 |
| General Chemistry Lab II | CHM 114 | 1 |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 | BIO 220 | 3 |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab | BIO 221 | 1 |
| Applied Calculus or Gen Ed choice if completed |
MTH 131 | 3 or 4 |
| Introduction to Research Writing (B1, B4) | WRT 106 | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 | |
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| Organic Chemistry Lecture I | CHM 227 | 3 |
| Introductory Medical Microbiology, including Lab | CMB 201 | 4 |
| Human Physiology 2 | BIO 222 | 3 |
| Human Physiology 2 Lab | BIO 223 | 1 |
| Professional Development and Careers in Pharmaceutical Sciences | BPS 250 | 1 |
| Principles of Economics: Microeconomics (A2) | ECN 201 | 3 |
| Total | 17 | |
Spring Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| Organic Chemistry Laboratory or BPS 345 | CHM 226/ BPS 345 | 2-3 |
| Organic Chemistry Lecture II | CHM 228 | 3 |
| Introductory Biochemistry | CMB 311 | 3 |
| Introductory Statistics | STA 308 | 4 |
| General Education Elective (in the A-G designation) | 3 | |
| Total | 15-16 | |
Junior Year
The junior and senior years focus on required core pharmaceutical sciences courses and professional elective substitutions.
Fall Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| Dosage Forms I: Regulation of Drug Products and Biopharmaceutics | BPS 301 | 2 |
| Pharmaceutical Pharmacology I | BPS 401 | 3 |
| Principles of Medicinal Chemistry | BPS 313 | 2 |
| Introduction to Pharmaceutical Research OR CHM 226 | BPS 345/CHM 226 | 2-3 |
| General Education Elective (in the A-G designation) | 3 | |
| Total | 17 | |
Spring Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| Drug Metabolism and Bioanalysis | BPS 325 | 2 |
| Formulation and Manufacturing Laboratory | BPS 443 | 2 |
| GMPs in the Manufacture of Pharmaceutical Products | BPS 425 | 3 |
| Pharmaceutical Pharmacology II | BPS 402 | 3 |
| Professional Elective Choice: Suggested BPS 498 Special Problems | BPS 498 | 3 |
| Pharmacokinetics | BPS 306 | 2 |
| Total | 15 | |
Senior Year
Fall Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| Techniques in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Biology | BPS 451 | 4 |
| Option for Addt’l BSPS Professional Elective Choice or Gen Ed(in A-G designation) | 3 | |
| Option for Addt’l BSPS Professional Elective or Gen Ed/Electives | 3 | |
| Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics | BPS 442 | 3 |
| General Education Elective (in the A-G designation) | 3-4 | |
| Total | 16-17 | |
Spring Semester
| Course Title | Course Code | Credits |
| BSPS Professional Elective choice Suggested: Natural Products and Biotechnological Drugs | BPS 445 | 3 |
| BSPS Professional Elective choice Suggested: Biotech/Biologics and Biosimilars | BPS 446 | 3 |
| BSPS Professional Elective choice | 3 | |
| General Education(in the A-G designation) or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education(in the A-G designation) or Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 15 | |
Learning Outcomes
Concept: Knowledge
Outcome #1: Demonstrate knowledge and technical ability in the basic and pharmaceutical sciences
Performance Criteria:
- Demonstrate appropriate depth and breadth of knowledge in the basic sciences
- Demonstrate appropriate depth and breadth of knowledge in the pharmaceutical sciences
- Demonstrate technical competence in laboratory settings
Concept: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Outcome #2: Apply critical thinking and problem solving
Performance Criteria:
- Recognize and analyze a problem in the pharmaceutical sciences
- Find potential solutions and critically evaluate outcomes
Concept: Self-Directed Learning
Outcome #3: Demonstrate independent learning
Performance Criteria:
- Independently acquire new knowledge and skills
Concept: Communication
Outcome #4: Communicate effectively to diverse audiences
Performance Criteria:
- Effectively communicate orally with colleagues in multiple disciplines
- Write effectively in a style appropriate for scientific or general audiences
Concept: Professionalism and Ethics
Outcome #5: Demonstrate appropriate ethical principles
Performance Criteria:
- Articulate ethical and legal principles that govern the pharmaceutical sciences
nationally and globally - Understand the importance of integrity, honesty, confidentiality, and teamwork in science
environments
Internships
We recognize that hands-on experience is just as important as the knowledge-based learning gained in the classroom. Required laboratory courses will provide broad and consistent training for all students. Experiences in companies or faculty research labs are optional, but highly encouraged and supported by the program.
To help students develop a clear understanding of the scope of Pharmaceutical Sciences early in the 4-year program and to learn about, understand, and apply for internships, BPS 250 Development and Careers in Pharmaceutical Sciences course has been designed for sophomore BSPS majors.
Contact
Academic Advisor
University College for Academic Success (UCAS)
Careers in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Course Assignments
- Prepare a Company Report, describing one company which conducts some aspect of pharmaceutical sciences. Communicate the findings to fellow students.
- Prepare a report which explores a potential career path for individuals educated with BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Choose a specific area within pharmaceutical sciences and describe the area, types of employers and jobs in that area, and the specific education or skills needed to prepare for such a position. Communicate the findings to fellow students.
- Draft and polish a resume highlighting the student’s own capabilities relevant to pharmaceutical sciences.
- Draft and polish a “professional statement” regarding the student’s own academic and career goals appropriate for fellowship applications and related purposes.
More about Internships
Most internships require completion of sophomore year of study. Many—especially the larger companies—have minimum GPA requirements. Links to specific opportunities are available through RhodyNet (URI student and faculty access only).
Competitive fellowships for research internships at companies:
- Abbott (Abbot Park, IL) Internship Programs
- Amgen (Thousand Oaks, CA)
- Biogen Idec (Cambridge, MA; San Diego, CA; Research Triangle Park, NC)
- Boehringer Ingleheim (Ridgefield, CT)
- Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis, IN)
- Genentech (South San Francisco, CA; other CA sites)
- Genzyme (Cambridge, MA)
- GlaxoSmithKline (Research Triangle Park, NC; Boston MA; Philadelphia, PA)
- Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, NJ)
- Lonza Biologics (Hopkinton, MA)
- Merck & Co. (Westpoint, PA and two NJ locations): Merck’s Future Talent Program, summer internship, academic year co-op experience (4 months or more)
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (Cambridge, MA; California; Basel, Switzerland, Horsham, UK)
- Pfizer (Groton, CT or other sites): Pfizer Summer Student Worker Program- Internships
- Roche (Palo Alto, CA)
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Deerfield, IL)
Competitive fellowships at government research labs:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research
- NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program for financially disadvantaged students, your financial aid office must have certified you as having “exceptional financial need.” (Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 148, August 3, 2010, pp.45628-45629)
- Search for other Federal opportunities
Competitive fellowships at other Universities:
- Most universities have a summer undergraduate research program. Think about where you would like to go, and then search their websites.
- NSF sponsored Summer Research for Undergraduates at various institutions