Dec 05, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2024-2025 
    
USC Catalogue 2024-2025

Pharmacology and Drug Development (BA)*


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The Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacology and Drug Development (PDD) provides a well-defined pathway for science and non-science majors to gain significant knowledge in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, toxicology and medical product development, regulation, marketing and use.

The Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacology and Drug Development is a cooperative degree program involving the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC School of Pharmacy. Students complete 128 units, including at least 70 units of coursework in USC Dornsife and at least 36 units of coursework in USC School of Pharmacy.

The Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacology and Drug Development offers a unique interdisciplinary approach designed to provide in-depth training in the discovery, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and their role in health care industries. Courses focus on sub disciplines of pharmaceutical sciences including the study of the chemical and physical properties of drugs and their biological effects, and will link these systems to the discovery, development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals for the advancement of human health. Courses will also focus on the business and marketing aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.  

The Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacology and Drug Development will be a springboard to diverse careers in industrial, academic or other research environments within the areas of drug discovery, development, and commercialization. It will prepare students for professional or graduate studies in graduate education in pharmaceutical, medical and basic sciences and post-baccalaureate professional education in biomedical engineering, business, finance and law. 

The Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacology and Drug Development requires the completion of a minimum of 128 units that include:

  1. General Education, Foreign Language and Writing Requirements
  2. Foundational courses designed to prepare students for the major
  3. An introductory 4-unit lower-division (200 level) course in Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Science (RXRS)
  4. A minimum number of 32 units of upper-division (300 level and above) courses in Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Science (RXRS) and Biopharmaceutical Sciences (BPSI)
  5. A minimum of 8 units of upper-division (300 level and above) courses in Biological Sciences (BISC) unique to the major

The Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacology and Drug Development is conferred by USC Dornsife.

Chemistry


Select two courses from either the general chemistry or the advanced general chemistry series.

Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Science (RXRS) and Biopharmaceutical Sciences (BPSI) Unit Requirement


Students must complete a minimum of 36 units of RXRS or BPSI coursework, including one 4-unit lower-division RXRS course and a minimum of 32 units of upper-division (300 level and above) RXRS or BPSI courses. A maximum of 4 units can be met by taking Directed Research (RXRS 490x )

Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Science (RXRS) Requirement (Part 1)


One course.

Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Science (RXRS) Requirement (Part 2)


One course.

Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Science (RXRS) Requirement (Part 3)


Select one course.

Biological Sciences (BISC) Requirement


Select two courses.

Undergraduate Honors Program (optional)


The undergraduate honors in Pharmacology and Drug Development is awarded through successful completion of the senior capstone project. The project is a demonstration of knowledge in the student’s chosen area of interest which results in a product/project, research data, research paper or portfolio of work, and a presentation. This experience encourages students to use a variety of skills in the areas of writing, speaking, research and documentation, which distinguishes them as scholars and future leaders in pharmacy. 

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