Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Innovations Minor

Designed to introduce students to the use and development of prescription pharmaceutical agents, the Minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Innovations bridges undergraduate education with advanced studies in pharmacy, inspiring students to explore careers in pharmacy, healthcare, and pharmaceutical research.

Perfect for students in pre-health programs, those contemplating a pharmacy career, or those interested in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, this interdisciplinary program introduces foundational concepts in pharmaceutical sciences while integrating principles from biology, chemistry, and health policy. Students will also explore the development and societal impact of medicines. This holistic approach equips students with a broader perspective, enhancing their understanding of the complexities of healthcare. This minor equips students with the critical knowledge and skills needed to pursue graduate studies in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, including a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Program Requirements

Of the minimum of 20 credits required for the minor, at least 14 credits must be in addition to those counted toward fulfilling the requirements for the student’s major (and for other minors if more than one is pursued).
Minimum of 12 credits of courses are numbered 300-level and above.
A student must have a grade of C- or higher — or a passing grade in PHSC 300 (the only pass/fail course allowed in the minor) — in all courses taken for the minor.
At least one course should include a laboratory component or be independent research.

All students must complete 20 credits of coursework from the courses listed below. Students may request permission to include other courses by approval of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences associate dean for academic and student affairs.

Required Courses for the Minor

PHRM 380S - Medicines and Society (three credit hours)
PHSC 201 - Introduction to Pharmaceutical Sciences (three credit hours)
PHSC 300 - Department and Student Seminar (one credit hour)

Elective Courses

14 Credits of 200 or above elective coursework in the subjects of BIOL, BME, CHEM, ENVI, GPH, PSYC or approved electives by your academic advisor. Only one course ending in x90-x99 can be counted toward the 14 credit total for the requirment. A non-comprehensive list of applicable courses include:

BIOL 241 - FRI Ecological Genetics I
BIOL 251 - Human Anatomy And Physiology I
BIOL 304 - Pre-Health Biochemistry
BIOL 311 - Principles Of Cell Biology
BIOL 313 - Cellular Neurobiology
BIOL 314 - General Microbiology
BIOL 319 - Pre-Health Microbiology
BIOL 323 - Biofilm Research Stream II
BIOL 329 - Pre-Health Microbiology Lab
BIOL 332 - Genetics
BIOL 341 - FRI Ecological Genetics II
BIOL 347 - Human Anat. & Physiology II
BIOL 355 - Ecology
BIOL 401 - Molecular Genetics
BIOL 402 - Immunology
BIOL 403 - Biochemistry
BIOL 407 - Biology of AIDS
BIOL 428 - Functional Genomics & Proteomics
BIOL 430 - Animal Physiology
BIOL 437 - Biostatistics
BIOL 468 - Behavior and Disease
BME 340 - Bioinformatics & Biostatistics
BME 401 - Python for Biomedical Analysis
BME 442 - Nanotechnology & Drug Delivery
CHEM 212 - FRI Drug Discovery Pt. 1
CHEM 261 - Biomedical Chemistry Stream I
CHEM 312 - FRI Drug Discovery Pt. 2
CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 361 - Biophysical Chemistry I
CHEM 362 - Biomedical Chemistry Stream II
CHEM 432 - Organic Synthesis
CHEM 434 - Bioorganic Chemistry
ENVI 234 - Biogeochemistry FRI - Part I
ENVI 303 - Environmental Health
ENVI 322 - Plants and People
GPH 301 - GPH I: Social Behav Sci Health
GPH 302 - GPH II:Health Systems & Policy
PSYC 330 - Psychopharmacology
PSYC 345 - Neuroscience Research Stream I

More Information

Students can join the minor directly with the help of their academic advisor. The program can accept up to about 50 students a year!

Interested? For more information, contact: Erica Folli, student success advisor, Student Affairs, at ejfolli@binghamton.edu.