Year One and Two

The first two years of the course is focused on foundation studies in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry and human medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology), which will underpin studies in pharmaceutical sciences. Pharmaceutical sciences covering key aspects of the drug discovery and development process will be taught with core topics in pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis and formulation science. Students will also acquire quantitative and computational science knowledge in biostatistics and bioinformatics.

Year Three and Four

Core subjects are focused on research methodology, product quality and analysis and regulatory science. Students will develop breadth and/or depth with elective modules in specialized areas which address challenging and emerging areas in the pharmaceutical industry today. To integrate their learning, the final year culminates in a capstone research or industry project.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROPS)

This programme allows undergraduates to participate in scientific research under the mentorship of academic staff members.

Pharmaceutical Science students who have completed two semesters of study with a CAP > 3.0 are eligible for UROPS. Modular credits obtained from UROPS will contribute towards the graduation requirement of 160 MC for Pharmaceutical Science major.

For more details on UROPS, please refer to the following link:
http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/undergraduate-studies/ugenh/urops-main

Undergraduate Professional Internship Programme (UPIP)

This programme allows undergraduates to undergo a structured internship to gain invaluable on-the-job training in the spirit of experiential learning.

Students who take part in UPIP can better understand available career options and match their interests with their long-term career goals. Upon successful completion of the internship, students will also be awarded with unrestricted modular credits that would count towards their graduation requirement of 160 MC for Pharmaceutical Science major.

For more details on UPIP, please refer to the following link:
http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/students/upip

This comprehensive programme will equip you with a broad range of technical knowledge and skills across the pharmaceutical sciences. You will have excellent career prospects in areas as diverse as research and development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, regulatory affairs, quality management and clinical trial management. Depending on your interests, you may also find employment in areas outside the pharmaceutical industry such as biotechnology, consumer healthcare, patenting and licensing, medical writing or be the next generation healthcare entrepreneurs.

Students interested to expand and deepen their knowledge beyond the undergraduate programme can also opt to pursue further postgraduate studies, such as a Masters in Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (MPST), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Postgraduate studies would further enhance critical thinking skills to work towards careers in academia, research or management.

1. What is Pharmaceutical Science?

• Pharmaceutical Science belongs to a branch of science that comprises a range of scientific subjects dealing with various aspects of pharmaceutical substances that are used to manufacture the medicinal products.
• Therefore, Pharmaceutical Science forms the foundational scientific basis of the physical, chemical, biological and the biomedical aspects of drug properties and actions.
• Some examples of subjects that are classified under Pharmaceutical Science include Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacogenetics.
• Advancements achieved in Pharmaceutical Science will impact drug discovery, drug formulation as well as the regulation and practice of Pharmacy.

2. What is the role of Pharmaceutical Scientists?

• A pharmaceutical scientist is a qualified expert in aspects of the science and technology of medical products.
• This includes but is not limited to the discovery, development, manufacture, regulation, and utilisation of medical products.
• They focus on how medicines work, how safe and effective products are brought to the market, their impact on the body and their effect on the prevention and treatment of disease.
• Pharmaceutical scientists are hence equipped with specialized skills for jobs related in research and development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, clinical trial management, quality control and assurance, sales and marketing, and entrepreneurship.

3. What is the difference between Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences?

• Pharmacy involves the study of drug substances, medicinal products and the use of medicines in patients to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.
• While there are some foundational pharmaceutical sciences covered in the Pharmacy programme, this programme is chiefly clinical in nature and leads to a professional healthcare degree and pharmacist licensing to support the handling and transactions of medications.
• As license holder of medication, Pharmacists will be well-trained to advance patient-focused, medicine-centred healthcare practices.
• This focus is in contrast to that of pharmaceutical scientists, who work towards the discovery, development, testing, manufacturing and understanding of the market and regulatory access of medicines.
• The Pharmaceutical Sciences programme will cover a broad range of these disciplines in greater depth, but will not delve in clinical practice and does not lead to licensing like a pharmacist.

4. What are the pre-requisites for admission into Pharmaceutical Sciences?

• Very good passes in Chemistry (H2) and in either Biology (H2) or Physics (H2) or Mathematics (H2) or Further Mathematics (H2) taken at the GCE ‘A’ Level Examinations or equivalent examinations.
• There are no Indicative Grade Profiles or Course Places for Pharmaceutical Sciences as this will be the pilot year for the programme. However, the Indicative Grade Profile is expected to be similar as the Pharmacy Programme which can be found on http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/gradeprofile/sprogramme-igp.html
• For further information, please go to http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/index.html and read the relevant application procedures for respective groups of applicants.

5. Is it possible to enter the Pharmaceutical Sciences program without A-level Biology?

• Yes. ‘A’ Level Biology (H2) (or the equivalent) is not a compulsory subject pre-requisite for application to the Pharmaceutical Science programme in NUS.
• However, ‘A’ Level Chemistry (H2) (or the equivalent) remains as the only compulsory pre-requisite subject for entry to Pharmaceutical Sciences.

6. What is the course duration?

• The Pharmaceutical Sciences course is a 4-year degree programme.
• Students are admitted directly into Pharmaceutical Science in the first year of study.
• At the end of the 4 years, graduates are conferred the degree of Bachelor of Science (Pharmaceutical Science), while those who have demonstrated good academic performance over the 4 years will be awarded Bachelor of Science (Pharmaceutical Science) Hons degrees.

7. What is the overall course structure like?

• The 4-year direct-honours degree course will feature a mixture of traditional lectures, tutorials and practicals, with blended as well as experiential learning.
• Students will undertake core modules in foundational sciences (e.g. anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology) before covering the full spectrum pharmaceutical sciences (e.g. drug discovery and development).
• In the 3^rd and 4^th years, students are free to choose elective modules in more specialized areas of study (e.g. industrial pharmacy, pharmaceutical marketing, medicinal natural products).
• The curriculum also provides flexibility to pursue a broad-based education to explore other interests such as taking up double majors or minor programmes, e.g. Minor in Forensic Science, Business or Analytical Chemistry.
• The programme culminates in an individual Honours project in the final year with supervision by our department faculty or industry partners. This will allow students to explore interesting and novel scientific or real-world issues and gain invaluable research experience.
• During the 4-year programme, students may concurrently participate in other academic programmes offered by the university or faculty, e.g. University Scholar Programme, University Town College Programme, NUS Overseas College Programme, as well as student exchange programmes etc.

8. What are the various opportunities that a Pharmaceutical Science undergraduate can expect, i.e., leadership building, research opportunities etc.?

• There are abundant opportunities for undergraduate students to hone their talents and skills in NUS Pharmacy.
• NUS Pharmaceutical Society (NUSPS), a student-led organisation, comprises several sub-committees (e.g. media resource team, international relations) that work closely together with the mission to engage and empower the student body. Students can be part of NUSPS by serving in the committees and in the process, develop inter-personal, leadership and networking skills amongst many others.
• Students can also participate in other special activities/projects e.g. Pharmacy Youth Expedition Project (YEP), or spend a year at one of the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC), or participate in overseas exchange programmes. These experiences will definitely broaden their horizons.
• Students who are interested in embarking on a research career can participate in Undergraduate Research Projects in Science (UROPS) under close supervision by experienced Pharmacy faculty. These research opportunities are open to the students as early as their 2^nd year in the Pharmaceutical Science course.
• In their final year, all students will undertake a compulsory final year research project. Students may have the opportunity to showcase and present their research work in local or even international conferences.

9. What are the career prospects for Pharmaceutical Science graduates?

• Graduates from this degree program will be well-equipped to take up a wide variety of career choices in pharmaceutical industries and businesses.
• Depending on your interests and capabilities, graduates can explore jobs in research and development, manufacturing operations, sales and marketing, regulatory affairs, quality management, pharmaceutical supply chain logistics, and clinical trial management.
• By taking up a Double Major in Business or Minor in Management or Technopreneurship, we also envision our graduates with grounding in commercial knowledge to be the nations’ next generation pharmaceutical and healthcare entrepreneurs.

10. Will Pharmaceutical Science graduates be able to switch to a totally different career path should they decide to do so upon graduation?

• Yes, graduates from NUS Pharmaceutical Sciences will be exposed to a rigorous academic programme that prepares an individual for self-directed and lifelong learning to adapt to alternative career paths.
• The curriculum is designed to produce future-ready, well-rounded graduates with skill sets and knowledge that may also be useful in vocations that are not directly related to Pharmaceutical Science.
• However, the Pharmaceutical Science programme does NOT lead to licensure and you will not be able to register or practise as a pharmacist. Consequently, a small number of industry jobs (e.g. regulatory) may still require employees to hold the pharmacist’s license and these jobs will only be available for licensed pharmacists.
• For students interested in pursuing a career as an healthcare professional, they should consider applying for the BSc Pharmacy Programme.

11. Should I apply for the BSc in Pharmaceutical Science or the Minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences?

• The BSc program covers a greater depth and breadth of knowledge compared to the Minor programme.
• Minor students only read 6 pharmaceutical science modules to introduce some fundamental knowledge and relevant skill sets. This will allow Minor students to become more aware of how their domain knowledge from their respective Major programmes could be applied in the pharmaceutical industry.
• On the other hand, by being part of the BSc Pharmaceutical Science program, you will be trained in a wide range of pharmaceutical sciences with greater breadth and depth. This will equip graduates to embark on diverse careers in the pharmaceutical industries.
• Major students will also have opportunities to embark on exclusive overseas and internship opportunities that are not available for Minor students.
• Moreover, students from the BSc Pharmaceutical Science program will also be members of NUSPS, our student society. You will have opportunities to take part or even organize various student-led activities, ranging from freshman orientation projects to welfare events. These experiences will give students a holistic university education with a vibrant university life.

12. How many students are accepted each year?

• Approximately 30 students will matriculate into the programme starting from AY18/19.