Curriculum
Examine The Curriculum
WesternU’s Master of Science in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSBPS) graduates are sought after in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and both public and private research institutions. We attribute the success of our students to our students’ dedication, the curriculum, our faculty’s commitment to teaching and learning, and the College of Pharmacy’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research.
Curriculum Overview
To graduate, students are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours, including 16 hours in didactic instruction and 20 hours in Research & Thesis. See the list of required courses below.
The WesternU Master of Science in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSBPS) will prepare you to ask salient questions in the pharmaceutical sciences and use your knowledge and research skills to find answers. You will become a creative scientific problem solver, whether you work in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, or public or private research.
Find information about our Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty on our Faculty Page, and course descriptions in our University catalog.
| Required Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subject/Course # | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| PHSC 5001 | Principles of Biomedical Ethics | 1.00 |
| PHSC 5002 | Scientific Writing | 1.00 |
| PHSC 5201 | Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics & Pharmacogenomics | 3.00 |
| PHSC 5202 | Pharmaceutics & Nanotechnology | 3.00 |
| PHSC 5203 | Biotechnology | 3.00 |
| PHSC 5500 | Biostatistics | 2.00 |
| PHSC 6000 | Graduate Seminar (4 semesters) | 4 x 1.00 |
| PHSC 6999 | Research & Thesis | 19.00 |
| Total Required Credit Hours | 36.00 | |
Research is a central part of the College of Pharmacy’s mission. College of Pharmacy faculty are active in the scholarship of research, and actively encourage student participation in their research endeavors.
Caring about students and helping them achieve success is a hallmark of our faculty. As respected practitioners and scholars who keep pace with the latest teaching techniques and technology, our professors are committed to helping you master the material.
The Office of Learning Enhancement & Academic Development Office (LEAD) is another resource for on-campus and distance students. LEAD helps students connect academic success with wellbeing. In individual counseling sessions, students learn time management, test taking, and studying strategies. LEAD facilitates training in managing stress, increasing focus, and professional skills.
WesternU is a thriving academic health center spread out over 22 acres in Pomona, CA. The main campus includes 19 major buildings. As a Pharmaceutical Sciences student you would primarily use classrooms in the Health Professions Center and 3,600 square feet of research laboratories in the University Research Center that include individual laboratories, cell culture and other facilities, a dark room, and a multi-species animal facility with the latest equipment to support faculty and student research.
You will also make use of the Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library, a four-story 35,000-square-foot building renovated in 2021. The library features open and private study space, a food nook equipped with a refrigerator, microwaves, coffee station, a wellness room perfect for a study break, lockers, and more. The library has an extensive collection of print books and journals. Access to the library’s electronic books, journals and databases are available both on and off campus through the Library’s E-Resources page.