Pre-Pharmacy

The College of Science and Technology at Temple provides two pathways to graduate studies through its integrated curriculum. Although it is not a major, students who follow the Pre-Pharmacy track become eligible to apply for admission to the School of Pharmacy at Temple after two years. If you’ve already been accepted to the School of Pharmacy as a Direct Admit student, you can also choose the Pharmaceutical Sciences BS accelerated program, through which you’ll earn your bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in seven years. Both options are ideal if you are interested in entering a healthcare profession.

In the Pre-Pharmacy track, you’ll take a blend of biology, chemistry and mathematics coursework to prepare you for the School of Pharmacy. Pharmaceutical Sciences students have a broad, interdisciplinary grounding in the sciences—both in the classroom and the lab. You’ll study biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics to understand scientific discoveries in healthcare.

Pre-Pharmacy Track versus Pharmaceutical Sciences Major

Deciding between the Pre-Pharmacy track and the Pharmaceutical Sciences BS depends on whether you have been admitted to the School of Pharmacy at Temple prior to your freshman year.

  • The Pre-Pharmacy track is tailored for students who wish to attend the School of Pharmacy and earn a PharmD degree but who have not yet applied or been admitted. Students interested in this track declare a major after one academic year and complete undergraduate coursework requirements in two years. During that time, students apply to the School of Pharmacy. If admitted, students move to the School of Pharmacy’s PharmD program after two years in the College of Science and Technology. Students in the Pre-Pharmacy track do not earn a bachelor’s degree and instead work toward the PharmD. Learn more about PharmD prerequisites and the School of Pharmacy at Temple.
  • The Pharmaceutical Sciences BS degree is designed for incoming students who have already been admitted to the School of Pharmacy. Because it is an accelerated program, students complete an undergraduate degree in the College of Science and Technology in three years, and enter the School of Pharmacy in their fourth year. The subsequent three years are spent earning a PharmD in the School of Pharmacy. Students in this program receive the Pharmaceutical Sciences BS degree and the PharmD degree over seven years. Learn more about the accelerated degree.
Image shows a pair of gloved hands in a lab squeezing a liquid from a tube into a vial.

Classes & Curriculum

Pharmaceutical Sciences BS students are required to complete 90 credit hours within the College of Science and Technology and the College of Liberal Arts. College of Science and Technology coursework is focused on the fundamentals of the sciences to help prepare them for graduate studies. Some of the classes include

  • Introduction to Biology,
  • Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, and
  • Principles of Anatomy and Physiology.

Explore more courses for the Pharmaceutical Sciences BS.

Many of these classes are also available to students in the Pre-Pharmacy track, though they must be completed in two years prior to entering the School of Pharmacy. Learn more about the Pre-Pharmacy curriculum.

Related Graduate Degrees

*School of Pharmacy

3+4 Accelerated Programs

The College of Science and Technology offers accelerated 3+4 degree programs in a seven-year course of study, instead of the usual eight years. Qualifying undergraduate students can obtain an undergraduate degree from CST and a

  • Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from the Kornberg School of Dentistry,
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the School of Podiatric Medicine,
  • Doctor of Medicine from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, or
  • Doctor of Pharmacy Medicine from the School of Pharmacy.

Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program

The College of Science and Technology Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program is designed for students planning to apply to medical school or pursue other health-related professions. The program offers the following two tracks.

  • The Basic Core in Health Sciences is intended for professionals who need the required science courses to apply to medical school.
  • The Advanced Core in Health Sciences is a program for current students who have met the premedical requirements and who seek advanced science coursework.

Both tracks include classes in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and the College of Science and Technology. Learn more about the College of Science and Technology’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Science offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $23,112.00 per year
Out-of-state: $38,160.00 per year

ST-PRPH-BS

Additional Program Information