BS in Pharmacology and Drug Development

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Southern California

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and Drug Development at USC’s Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences explores how drugs affect the body, how medicines are discovered and developed, and how therapeutic products are evaluated for safety and effectiveness. It is well suited to students interested in pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, toxicology, clinical research, or further education in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and related healthcare fields.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build a foundation in the biological, chemical, and scientific principles needed to understand medicines and human health. They can explore introductory subjects and courses such as Buzzed: Modern Substances of Abuse and Addiction and Ethics, Drugs and Society, which introduce the biological effects of drugs alongside their social and ethical implications.

Second Year: Students deepen their understanding of pharmacology, drug effects, and the scientific principles behind therapeutic treatments. Courses such as Breaking Brains: Pharmacology of the Addicted Brain, Food Safety: The Good, the Bad and the Deadly, and Mysterious Deaths: From Poisons in Literature and History to Forensic Toxicology explore drug action, toxicology, and the effects of harmful substances.

Third Year: Students examine how pharmaceutical products move from scientific discovery toward practical medical use, while developing their understanding of research and the biomedical industry. Relevant courses include RXRS 407: The Discovery, Development, and Marketing of Medicines, RXRS 408: Arming the Immune System for Novel Therapies, and RXRS 413W: Globalization of the Biomedical Industry.

Fourth Year: Students can refine their interests through advanced electives, independent research opportunities, and an undergraduate honors capstone project for eligible students. Courses such as Management and Operation of Clinical Trials and Medical Products: From Idea to Market help students explore clinical research processes and the development of therapeutic products, preparing them for graduate education or research-oriented careers.

Focus Areas: Pharmacology, drug discovery and development, toxicology, biotechnology, clinical research, therapeutic development, medical product evaluation, research methods, drug safety, and biomedical industry practices.

Learning Outcomes: Apply pharmacology and toxicology knowledge to real-world problems, compare laboratory and clinical research methods, develop research designs, interpret scientific findings, understand medical product development, and apply professional and ethical principles to pharmaceutical research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The program provides a scientific foundation for careers in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, toxicology, and clinical research, as well as preparation for further study in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and related healthcare fields. The BS is an academic undergraduate degree rather than a professional pharmacy qualification; pharmacist licensure requires additional professional education and applicable licensing requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): USC’s Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate program connecting pharmacology, drug discovery, clinical research, regulatory science, and the biomedical industry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Pharmacology and Drug Development at the University of Southern California is designed around understanding how drugs interact with biological systems and how potential treatments move through the development process. Students can strengthen their scientific and analytical skills through coursework in pharmacology, biology, chemistry, and drug development, while USC’s wider research environment offers opportunities to explore biomedical research and therapeutic innovation. Practical experiences depend on the courses selected, research opportunities available, and eligibility requirements.

Students can explore the following USC-specific learning resources and opportunities:

- Independent Research and Capstone Projects: Students in the major can pursue an undergraduate honors capstone project involving focused study and applied research. This provides an opportunity to investigate a pharmaceutical or healthcare issue, apply scientific knowledge to practical problems, and communicate research findings.

- Faculty-Led Research Opportunities: USC encourages undergraduates to join faculty research teams through programs such as the Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) and the USC Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowships. Availability and eligibility depend on the specific funding program and research project.

- Drug Discovery and Development Facilities: The John Stauffer Pharmaceutical Sciences Center houses USC Mann’s Integrated Core Services, which support research through specialized scientific expertise and advanced technologies. Its capabilities include target identification, high-throughput screening, lead optimization, and preclinical evaluation; access to these facilities depends on the research project and student role.

- Pharmacology and Drug Development Coursework: Courses such as Management and Operation of Clinical Trials, Medical Products: From Idea to Market, and Ethics, Drugs and Society help students explore clinical research, product development, and the ethical considerations involved in bringing medicines to market.

- Collaborative Research Experience: Students who secure research positions may work alongside faculty and other members of research teams. These experiences can develop teamwork, scientific communication, and problem-solving skills relevant to pharmaceutical and biotechnology careers.

- Research Presentation Opportunities: USC’s Undergraduate Research Symposium allows student researchers to present their original work to the university community, helping them practise communicating scientific findings.

- Scientific Libraries and Research Resources: USC Libraries provide access to scholarly literature and research resources that can support coursework, literature reviews, and independent investigations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Pharmacology and Drug Development at the University of Southern California prepares students for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, drug development, and related healthcare fields. Through coursework in pharmacology, toxicology, clinical research, and medical product development, students build a strong foundation for entering the life sciences industry or pursuing advanced professional education. USC graduates have pursued opportunities in clinical research and biotechnology, with the program also providing preparation for medical, dental, and pharmacy school.

Typical Career Opportunities:

Clinical Research Coordinator: Coordinate clinical studies, support research teams, and help manage study documentation.
Pharmaceutical Research Assistant: Assist with laboratory experiments and investigations into potential medicines.
Drug Development Associate: Support the development and evaluation of pharmaceutical products.
Toxicology Research Assistant: Help investigate the effects of chemicals, drugs, and other substances on biological systems.

Career Development and Graduate Outcomes:

- USC Career Center: Students can use Handshake to find internships and full-time positions, attend employer career fairs, receive career advising, and prepare for interviews. The Trojan Network also connects students with USC alumni for mentorship and professional networking.

- Employment Statistics and Salaries: USC publishes First Destination Survey information covering employment, further education, employers, industries, and self-reported starting salaries. However, a reliable program-specific employment rate and average salary for BS Pharmacology and Drug Development graduates are not publicly established in the available official data.

- University–Industry Connections: USC Mann students have gained internship experience with organizations including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Agilent Technologies, and MannKind Corporation. These examples demonstrate opportunities within pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, analytics, and related industries, although placements are competitive and not guaranteed.

- Professional Recognition and Accreditation: The BS in Pharmacology and Drug Development provides an academic foundation for research and healthcare-related careers. It is not a professional pharmacy qualification and does not independently confer pharmacist licensure. Students planning to practise pharmacy must complete the required professional degree and licensing requirements.

- Graduation Outcomes: USC highlights alumni pursuing clinical research and biotechnology opportunities. For example, a BS graduate from the Class of 2023 became a clinical research coordinator at Cedars-Sinai, while a Class of 2022 graduate joined the Amgen Career Discovery Program. These are individual graduate examples, not guaranteed outcomes.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) to prepare for professional pharmacy practice, or apply to medical and dental schools after completing the relevant prerequisites and admissions requirements. Students interested in research can explore graduate degrees such as USC's PhD in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Another option is the MS in Management of Drug Development, which can support further specialization in pharmaceutical product development. Admission to each program is subject to its own requirements.