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Curriculum

Examine The Curriculum

WesternU’s Master of Science in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSBPS) graduates are sought after in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and both public and private research institutions. We attribute the success of our students to our students’ dedication, the curriculum, our faculty’s commitment to teaching and learning, and the College of Pharmacy’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research.

MSPS students Kevin Ventocilla and Dominique Brown in the lab.

Curriculum Overview

During the two-year (full time) program you will complete core courses and electives in basic and applied sciences. You will also conduct independent research in the pharmaceutical sciences and complete a research-based thesis. A faculty advisor will help you select a research topic and mentor you throughout your thesis work.

To graduate, students are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours, including 16 hours in didactic instruction and 20 hours in Research & Thesis. See the list of required courses below.

The WesternU Master of Science in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSBPS) will prepare you to ask salient questions in the pharmaceutical sciences and use your knowledge and research skills to find answers. You will become a creative scientific problem solver, whether you work in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, or public or private research.

Find information about our Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty on our Faculty Page, and course descriptions in our University catalog.
Required Courses
Subject/Course # Course Title Credit Hours
PHSC 5001 Principles of Biomedical Ethics 1.00
PHSC 5201 Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics & Pharmacogenomics 4.00
PHSC 5202 Pharmaceutics & Nanotechnology 4.00
PHSC 5500 Biostatistics 2.00
PHSC 6000 Graduate Seminar (4 semesters) 4 x 1.00
Various Elective ≥ 1.00
PHSC 6999 Research & Thesis 20.00
Total Required Credit Hours 36.00
  • Research

    Research is a central part of the College of Pharmacy’s mission. College of Pharmacy faculty are active in the scholarship of research, and actively encourage student participation in their research endeavors.

  • Academic Support

    Caring about students and helping them achieve success is a hallmark of our faculty. As respected practitioners and scholars who keep pace with the latest teaching techniques and technology, our professors are committed to helping you master the material.

    MSBPS faculty are part of the Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy. Their areas of research include neuro-pharmacology, physiology, pharmaceutics and drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, genetics, environmental toxicology, and molecular immunology. Faculty research is funded through pharmaceutical companies as well as federal and private foundation grants.

    The Office of Learning Enhancement & Academic Development Office (LEAD) is another resource for on-campus and distance students. LEAD helps students connect academic success with wellbeing. In individual counseling sessions, students learn time management, test taking, and studying strategies. LEAD facilitates training in managing stress, increasing focus, and professional skills.

  • Outstanding Facilities

    WesternU is a thriving academic health center spread out over 22 acres in Pomona, CA. The main campus includes 19 major buildings. As a Pharmaceutical Sciences student you would primarily use classrooms in the Health Professions Center and 3,600 square feet of research laboratories in the University Research Center that include individual laboratories, cell culture and other facilities, a dark room, and a multi-species animal facility with the latest equipment to support faculty and student research.

    You will also make use of the Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library, a four-story 35,000-square-foot building renovated in 2021. The library features open and private study space, a food nook equipped with a refrigerator, microwaves, coffee station, a wellness room perfect for a study break, lockers, and more. The library has an extensive collection of print books and journals. Access to the library’s electronic books, journals and databases are available both on and off campus through the Library’s E-Resources page.