B.S.,
Natural Science,
Pre-Pharmacy Track
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
What You'll Do
Since ancient times, people have sought to cure illnesses, heal injuries, and manage pain with medicines. Today, they turn to pharmacists for the medicines they need. Pharmacists must be very precise and knowledgeable. As a Natural Science Pre-Pharmacy major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, you’ll benefit from an accelerated, three-year program.
In the Pre-Pharmacy track, you’ll receive an excellent educational foundation for pharmacy school. Through special arrangements IUP has made, you can transfer credits from your first year at Shenandoah University School of Pharmacy in Winchester, Va., or Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy in Erie, Pa., to IUP to satisfy your senior-year graduation requirements.
At IUP, you’ll take a block of classes in biology, chemistry, and physics to prepare you for the challenges of pursuing the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. You’ll also take classes in the humanities and social sciences. If you prefer to finish your bachelor’s degree in four years, there are other options and majors at IUP you may want to consider.
What You'll Become
The Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science achieved in pursuit of the Pre-Pharmacy track will prepare you for admission, after your junior year, to the two pharmacy schools that have made agreements with IUP. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacists is projected to increase by 22 percent between 2006 and 2016. Along with traditional pharmacy positions, jobs are developing in which pharmacists analyze trends and patterns in medication use and study the costs and benefits of drug therapies, according to the report.
In this field, income can be high, but work hours can include nights, weekends, and holidays, according to the labor study. There is a trend toward expanding the role of pharmacists, the study notes, to include counseling patients and planning drug therapies. In addition to graduation from an accredited college, a prospective pharmacist has to pass tests to receive a license.
