Overview

Our International Pharmaceutical Sciences Program (IPSP) offers an unparalleled experience for students looking to become truly global pharmaceutical scientists. IPSP graduates earn two degrees simultaneously: a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) and a B.A. in French, German, or Italian. By combining the power of a strong pharmaceutical sciences program, immersion in a foreign language and culture and a year abroad, the five-year program graduates students prepared for rewarding careers in a diverse array of fields around the world.

Real-world Experience

Students here do not just learn about global pharmaceutical science, they live it. Students spend a year abroad studying at a partner university and interning at a prestigious pharmaceutical company.

Job Placement

Pharmaceutical Science graduates with foreign language skills and international experience are in demand. Our graduates often command high salaries and gain entry into leadership-track positions because of their deep understanding and appreciation of the global economy. That understanding makes them attractive even in times of economic downturn as companies look for new partners and markets in foreign lands.

Affordable global experience

Our program prides itself on affordability. While studying at our partner university, you’ll pay roughly the cost of in-state tuition, fees, room and board. Many internships are paid and some corporate hosts even provide housing or a housing stipend.

Integrated Curriculum

We graduate truly international pharmaceutical scientists. Students do not learn a foreign language and pharmaceutical science separately. Instead, students take pharmaceutical science classes in a foreign language, live and intern abroad and participate in a wide array of cultural events. Our close coordination between language and engineering learning means students learn to apply their language skills to engineering and vice versa.

BSPS / French BA

Curriculum Sheet

BSPS / German BA

Curriculum Sheet

BSPS / Italian BA

Curriculum Sheet

Contacts

Erin E. Edmonds

Coordinator, BSPS Experiential Education Liaison

Office: 215A

401.874.7023
eedmonds@uri.edu

Michelangelo La Luna

Professor of Italian

401.874.5968
laluna@uri.edu

Sigrid Berka

Professor of German; Executive Director, International Engineering Program

401.874.4700
sigrid_berka@uri.edu

Karen de Bruin

Associate Professor of French, Department Chair

401.874.4697
debruin@uri.edu

Eligibility

The IPSP collaborates closely with URI’s acclaimed International Engineering Program (IEP) where students are subject to the IEP Year Abroad Program Policies as well as the University’s Study Abroad Policies and Procedures as outlined by The Office of International Education.

In order to be eligible for the year abroad, you must:

• maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5
• be in good academic standing
• demonstrate proficiency in your target language
• have the approval of your academic advisor in order to participate

Preparation meetings for the year abroad begin a year prior to your departure and are conducted by IEP Directors. For more information see the OIE website and the Preparing For The Year Abroad pages on the International Engineering Program website. Planning your curriculum with your academic advisor during your freshman year is critical to your success in the program.  The College works closely with our partners in the language departments of the University.

Preparing for your Year Abroad

The language departments host several summer and J-term experiences that might prepare you for a successful and rewarding year abroad in your host country.

French

Compiègne Summer Immersion

Where: Université de Technologie de Compiègne (Compiègne, France)
When: Every August

The Université de Technologie de Compiègne offers a four-week French language immersion program during August. The program is tuition free for IPSP students, and offers an opportunity to gain experience at our partner university, where they will study abroad during their fourth year. This is not a faculty-led program, so students should be prepared to travel to France on their own. Participants are placed into one of the four language levels courses and take weekend trips. Visit the program’s website for additional information.

France Study Tour

Where: Université de Technologie de Compiègne (Compiègne, France)
When: URI J-Term (January, over winter break)

For students enrolled in the rigourous five-year dual Bachelor degree International Engineering, International Pharmaceutical Sciences and International Business Programs, it is crucial to get some short-term immersion experience in the country in which they will spend their senior year. This program will allow students to experience the context of the French language and professional studies. Furthermore, it will give students the opportunity to explore the culture and technology environment, and communicate with their budding language skills. Course work will be supplemented with cultural tours and excursions while in France including: a day trip to Paris, where students will have the opportunity to visit Musee des Arts et Metiers, the Chateau de Compiegne, Pierrefonds and other famous monuments. Students will go on site visits to Schneider Electric, to Total’s corporate headquarters in La Defense, to one of Total’s refineries, to a Technip facility in Le Trait and to the corporate headquarters of Vinci Construction. Students will also explore the Université de Technologie de Compiègne where they will meet students, see classrooms and discover laboratories. Students earn 3 – 4 URI credits.

Visit the URI Faculty-Led Programs page for additional information and current offerings.

German

German Summer School- GER 215

When: May 21- June 24, 2018

Students can earn 4 credits in a German language and culture immersion with special focus on German for technical purposes. Live in the IEP LLC and speak only German. After morning classes, native German speakers will offer a variety of pronunciation workshops, events and excursions as well as evening activities.

To register for GER 215: www.uri.edu/summer

To register to live in the IEP during the German summer school contact Angela Graney.

Germany J-Term Study Tour

When: URI J-Term (January, over winter break)

For students enrolled in the rigorous five-year dual Bachelor degree International Engineering, International Pharmaceutical Sciences and International Business Programs, it is crucial to get some short-term immersion experience in the country in which they will spend their senior year. This program will allow students to experience the context of the German language and professional studies. Students earn 1 or 3 URI credits. Furthermore, it will give students the opportunity to explore the culture, technology environment and communicate with their budding language skills. Visit the program’s current student blog project  (as well as some past projects: 2016, 2015) for additional information.

Italian

Calabria Summer Program

Where: Calabria, Italy
When: June-July

Students can earn 6-9 URI credits through this faculty-led program. Italian language and film courses are offered. No previous Italian language study is required to participate in the program and courses are available in English and Italian. Visit the program’s website for additional information.