Overview
The University of Rhode Island’s accelerated 4+1 program allows high-achieving students to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSBPS) and a Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences in just five years. This streamlined, non-thesis, path saves time and tuition while preparing you for advanced roles in research, industry, and beyond.
Program Timeline
- Years 1–3: BSPS core curriculum
- Year 4: Begin MS coursework while completing BSPS electives
- Year 5: Complete MS program requirements
Why Choose the 4+1 Program?
- Accelerated Timeline: Complete your BS and MS in five years instead of six or more.
- Cost-Effective: Save on tuition and living expenses by reducing your time in school.
- Career-Ready: Gain advanced research skills and graduate-level experience that set you apart.
- Flexible Specializations: Choose from four MS tracks aligned with your interests and career goals.
- Mentorship & Research: Work closely with faculty in state-of-the-art labs starting in your undergraduate years.
MS Specializations
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in science and healthcare?
Our Pharmaceutical Sciences Program is designed for students who want to explore the frontiers of drug discovery, disease mechanisms, and health outcomes.
You’ll dive into the science behind how drugs are developed, how they interact with the body, and how they’re processed and eliminated. Through coursework in pharmacology, toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and health outcomes, you’ll build a strong academic foundation. You’ll also gain hands-on experience through laboratory research and experiential training that prepares you for real-world challenges.
Graduates of our program go on to exciting careers in the pharmaceutical industry, academic research, healthcare, insurance and health benefit management, and government agencies. Whether you’re uncovering new molecular mechanisms of disease, investigating drug toxicities, or improving health outcomes, you’ll be contributing to discoveries that matter.
This program is ideal for driven, high-achieving students ready to earn an M.S. with just one additional year of study—accelerating their education and career.
Questions?
Reach out to the program coordinator.
Careers
Example Career Paths
Health Outcomes
- HEOR Analyst: Evaluate cost-effectiveness and real-world impact of therapies.
- Policy Analyst: Influence healthcare legislation and reimbursement strategies.
- Data Scientist (Healthcare): Analyze patient outcomes and treatment efficacy.
- Public Health Researcher: Study population-level health trends and interventions.
Industries: Health insurance, public health, consulting, government, academia
Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical R&D Scientist: Develop new drugs through synthesis and testing.
- Drug Discovery Chemist: Identify and optimize lead compounds for therapeutic use.
- Analytical Chemist: Perform chemical analysis to ensure drug purity and stability.
- Research Scientist (Biotech/Pharma): Conduct lab-based experiments in drug development.
- PhD Candidate: Pursue doctoral research in medicinal chemistry or related fields.
Industries: Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, academic research, government labs (NIH, FDA)
Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics
- Formulation Scientist: Design and test drug delivery systems (e.g., tablets, injectables).
- Clinical Pharmacokineticist: Analyze drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Prepare documentation for FDA approval and compliance.
- Biopharmaceutical Scientist: Work on biologics and biosimilars.
- Drug Delivery Systems Engineer: Innovate new methods for targeted drug delivery.
Industries: Biotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing, CROs, regulatory agencies
Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Clinical Research Associate: Monitor clinical trials and ensure protocol compliance.
- Toxicologist: Assess safety of drugs, chemicals, and consumer products.
- Biomedical Researcher: Investigate disease mechanisms and drug interactions.
- Safety Pharmacologist: Evaluate potential adverse effects of new drugs.
- Government Scientist: Work at agencies like the CDC, EPA, or FDA.
Industries: Government, academia, pharma, environmental health, public safety
Admission & Academics
URI B.S. Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences major students will apply for the ABM non-thesis Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences on the completion of the Fall term during the 3rd year of study. Application is limited to undergraduates in the B.S. Pharmaceutical Science major at URI. ABM admitted students will complete the B.S. degree requirements with conferral of the B.S. degree after 3.5 – 4 years of study, and then must complete the M.S. degree requirements by the end of the 5th year of study. It is expected that at least one summer prior to the 4th or 5th year of study will entail full-time research, internship or co-op to support the Capstone project.
Deadline
Rolling. For full consideration, ABM applications should be submitted by February 15.
Admission
A competitive applicant will have the following:
- Have completed, by the end of five-semesters of study, a minimum of 75 credits including: transfer to the Degree Granting College for the B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences degree and the required Fall term BPS300-level coded courses, with a minimum 3.0 QPA in all BIO, BPS, CHM, CMB, MTH, PHP, and STA-coded courses.
- Be enrolled, or eligible to enroll, in all of the B.S. required courses for Spring of the 3rd year of study.
- Submit one letter of support for admission from a member of the Graduate Faculty within the College of Pharmacy.
- Submit a letter of interest from the applicant including the following:
- Career goals related to pharmaceutical sciences
- How the ABM program fits those career goals
- Relevant research/laboratory experiences
- Specialization interest/s regarding the graduate program: (a) Pharmacology & Toxicology, (b) Medicinal Chemistry & Natural Products, (c ) Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, (d) Health Outcomes.
Students will be admitted to the ABM (non-thesis) contingent on:
- Earning at least 3.0 QPA in the required courses Fall of the 3rd year of study: BPS 301, BPS 313, BPS 315, BPS 345, BPS 401.
- Enrollment in the required courses for Spring of 3rd year of study (BPS 306, BPS 325, BPS 402, BPS 425, BPS 443).
- Exhibiting the motivation and personal aptitude for graduate study.
- Space available basis, minimum criteria will not guarantee acceptance.
Academics
Progression will be contingent on:
- Maintaining minimum 3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment at appropriate B.S or M.S level.
- Submitting applications for summer internships or summer research programs during Spring of the 3rd year of study for the summer following the 3rd year of study, and during Spring of the 4th year of study for the summer following the 4th year of study.
- Meeting the M.S. (non-thesis) in Pharmaceutical Sciences admission requirements.
- Meeting the M.S. (non-thesis) in Pharmaceutical Sciences progression requirements.
Degree Completion Requirements:
The B.S. degree requirements within the ABM are equivalent to the B.S (see B.S. catalog section); the non-thesis M.S. degree requirements are equivalent to the non-thesis M.S. (see M.S. non-thesis catalog section). The ABM program specifically allows students to double count up to 10 credits towards both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Only 500-level courses and 400-level courses designated for graduate credit are eligible to be double-counted. The non-thesis M.S. degree program includes a Capstone Project in order to gain experience in the research process or in a pharmaceutical company. The M.S. Capstone Project (e.g. major paper, written technical report, review article) must be evaluated and approved by equivalent criteria in place for the non-thesis MS.
Undergraduate tuition/fees are charged while the student is completing B.S. credits including the double-counting credits (typically years 1-4). Graduate tuition/fees are charged for the enrolled semesters after the B.S. degree is conferred (typically year 5). Non-thesis MS students are not eligible for College of Pharmacy teaching assistantships. Research assistantships are awarded based on seniority and experience (PhD > MS-thesis > MS-non-thesis) and are not typical for non-thesis M.S. students including the ABM. Students who are able to earn paid research, internships, co-op experiences, or teaching assistantships from other departments are eligible to be paid depending upon the requirements of the source of funds.