Biomedical Sciences BS/PharmD

7 Years On Campus Accelerated-bachelors Program

University at Buffalo SUNY

Program Overview

The Biomedical Sciences BS/PharmD at the University at Buffalo combines three years of undergraduate biomedical sciences with four years of professional pharmacy education, creating a structured seven-year pathway toward a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. It is a good fit for students interested in human health, medicines and patient care who want to build a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physiology and biomedical sciences before moving into professional pharmacy training.

Curriculum Structure

Year One: Students build a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and mathematics, preparing them for more advanced biomedical subjects. Courses such as Cellular and Molecular Biology, General Chemistry and Calculus introduce students to biological processes, chemical principles and quantitative problem-solving.

Year Two: Students develop a deeper understanding of the human body and the biological processes behind health and disease. Subjects such as Human Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology help students explore how biological systems function and how changes at the cellular and molecular levels can affect human health.

Year Three: Students move into more advanced biomedical concepts while using electives and practical opportunities to explore their interests. Courses such as Biochemistry, Biomedical Informatics and Applied Physiology help students understand disease processes, biological data and human health while preparing them for professional pharmacy study.

Year Four: Students begin the professional PharmD curriculum and start connecting biomedical science with pharmacy practice. Coursework covers areas such as Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Calculations, Pathophysiology, Patient Assessment, Pharmaceutical Care and Principles of Pharmacology, alongside introductory pharmacy practice experiences.

Year Five: Students build more advanced knowledge of medicines and patient treatment through subjects such as Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacotherapeutics, Endocrinology and Women's Health, Pharmaceutical Care and Pharmacy Management. Patient cases, teamwork and practical experiences help students apply this knowledge to real healthcare situations.

Year Six: Students continue into advanced therapeutic areas, including Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapeutics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Pharmacotherapy. They also develop skills in biostatistics, drug literature evaluation and professional pharmacy practice, strengthening their ability to evaluate medicines and support patient care.

Year Seven: The final professional year focuses on advanced experiential education and preparation for pharmacy practice. Students apply their academic knowledge in professional settings while developing the clinical, communication and patient-care skills needed to work as pharmacists.

Focus areas

Biomedical sciences, biology, chemistry, human physiology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, biomedical informatics, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacotherapy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, patient care, pharmacy practice

Learning outcomes

Students develop a strong understanding of biological and medical sciences before progressing into advanced areas of medicines, disease processes and pharmacy practice. The program builds skills in scientific analysis, patient assessment, medication management, clinical decision-making, communication, teamwork and evidence-based healthcare.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The pathway combines undergraduate biomedical science preparation with the University at Buffalo's professional PharmD curriculum, giving students a structured route into pharmacy education and practice. The PharmD curriculum combines biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical sciences with patient-focused experiences to prepare students for professional pharmacy careers.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University at Buffalo's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences reports strong outcomes for its PharmD graduates. In 2025, 96.3% of graduates passed the NAPLEX on their first attempt, while 92.3% of PharmD graduates with known outcomes were employed, demonstrating strong preparation for pharmacy practice and postgraduate opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biomedical Sciences BS/PharmD at the University at Buffalo gives students opportunities to develop practical skills throughout both the biomedical sciences and professional pharmacy portions of the program. Students can gain experience through faculty-led research, internships and hands-on projects during their undergraduate studies, then progress into structured pharmacy training in hospitals, health systems, community pharmacies and other healthcare settings. They also have access to modern pharmacy laboratories, smart classrooms, biomedical research facilities and specialized research equipment.

Students can develop practical skills through:

Undergraduate biomedical research: Through MIC 498: Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Sciences, students work with a faculty research mentor, establish research activities and project goals, and complete a final research report and presentation.
Summer research: The CLIMB UP program provides a nine-week interdisciplinary summer research experience in biomedical, behavioral and health sciences.
Biomedical Sciences internships: Students can complete credit-bearing internships at on- or off-campus biomedical facilities. Opportunities can include hospitals, laboratories, research and development companies, pharmacies, health maintenance organizations and community health clinics.
Experiential Learning Network: UB's Experiential Learning Network and Project Portal help students find hands-on projects and document their developing skills through digital badges.
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences: During the PharmD portion, students complete at least 315 hours of IPPEs, including required experiences in hospital or health-system and community pharmacy settings. Students gain experience in patient care, professional activities, interprofessional decision-making and pharmacy ethics.
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences: The final PharmD year includes seven APPE rotations totaling at least 1,600 hours. Students complete required experiences in ambulatory patient care, community pharmacy, hospital or health-system pharmacy and inpatient adult patient care, along with three elective rotations.
Practice laboratories: The PharmD curriculum includes dedicated practice labs and practicum activities where students develop hands-on pharmacy skills and apply their knowledge in realistic professional situations.
Pharmacy technology and facilities: Students learn in modern laboratories, smart classrooms and research centers, with current technology incorporated into the PharmD curriculum.
Biomedical research facilities: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences research facilities provide access to equipment such as incubators, biosafety cabinets, high-speed centrifuges, water purification systems, imaging equipment and cell-sorting instrumentation.
Specialized research facilities: Relevant research opportunities can involve facilities such as the Confocal Microscope and Flow Cytometry Facility and the Clinical Research Center, which includes advanced medical imaging equipment.
Research institutes and healthcare connections: The biomedical research environment connects with organizations such as Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute and the Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology.
Professional training network: UB's PharmD experiential education network includes more than 1,200 preceptors across 750+ training sites, giving students exposure to a wide variety of real healthcare environments.

Facilities and resources: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences research facilities, UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences laboratories and smart classrooms, pharmacy practice labs, Clinical Research Center, Confocal Microscope and Flow Cytometry Facility, biomedical research centers and clinical pharmacy training sites.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Sciences BS/PharmD at the University at Buffalo provides a clear pathway from biomedical science into professional pharmacy practice. After completing the program, graduates can build careers in community and hospital pharmacy, clinical care, managed care, research, government and other healthcare settings. The program also provides a strong foundation for students who want to continue their professional training through residencies, fellowships or further study.

Typical career options include community pharmacist, clinical pharmacist, hospital pharmacist and managed-care pharmacist.

Career support: UB's Office of Student Success and Engagement provides career development opportunities, while the Career Exploration Center helps students explore different pharmacy career paths and prepare for their professional goals.
Employment outcomes: Among 2025 PharmD graduates with known outcomes, 92.3% had an identified employment or postgraduate outcome. About 31.9% entered community pharmacy, 43.9% entered residencies and 4.4% entered fellowships.
Salary potential: UB reports a mean annual wage of $137,210 for pharmacists, based on 2024 U.S. Department of Labor and O*NET data.
University and healthcare connections: Students benefit from UB's extensive experiential training network, which includes more than 1,200 preceptors across 750+ training sites. These placements provide experience in community pharmacies, hospitals, health systems and other healthcare environments.
Residency opportunities: UB students can continue into postgraduate pharmacy training, including residency programs that provide advanced clinical experience, research opportunities, faculty mentorship and leadership development.
Residency outcomes: In 2026, UB reported a 91% ASHP residency match rate and 93% overall residency attainment, compared with an 84% national match rate.
Professional accreditation: The PharmD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). This provides important professional recognition for graduates preparing for pharmacy practice.
Graduation outcomes: The 2025 PharmD cohort had an 89.6% on-track graduation rate, showing strong progression through the professional program.
Career flexibility: Graduates can explore opportunities in community and institutional pharmacy, managed care, pharmaceutical research and industry, government, academia, medical communications and other areas of pharmacy practice.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS/PharmD, students can continue their professional development through PGY1 pharmacy residencies, specialized residency training and fellowships. Students interested in research, education or specialized healthcare fields can also pursue further graduate-level study in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences or related disciplines.