B.S. Degree in Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences
This degree program is a collaboration between the University of Delaware (UD) and the Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) School of Pharmacy. It is designed for students to complete three years of study at UD followed by four years at TJU. The courses taken in the first year at TJU will complete the requirements for the B.S. degree from UD while at the same time serve as the first year of the Pharmacy program. When the four years are completed at TJU the student will receive a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
Students interested in the program should join the Pharmacy Interest Group (signup available in 115 Wolf Hall) in the Department of Biological Sciences. This group will routinely receive information such as application deadlines. There will also be periodic meetings with UD faculty and TJU representatives. Students in the Interest Group will receive an appropriate faculty advisor who is knowledgeable about the details of the program.
There are four basic aspects to the application procedure:
- Students will complete the prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of at least a C in each (a C- will not be acceptable).
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 with at least a 3.0 in science classes is required.
- Students must take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Scores in the 70th percentile or higher are very desirable.
- Students must submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation and a personal statement through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).
Students who are accepted to the program will change their UD major to the B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PS).
Prerequisite Courses
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 207-208 Introductory Biology I and II | 8 |
| BISC 300 Introduction to Microbiology | 4 |
| BISC 306 General Physiology | 3 |
| BISC 316 Experimental Physiology Lab | 3 |
| BISC 442 Vertebrate Morphology | 4 |
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CHEM 103-104 General Chemistry I and II | 8 |
| CHEM 321-322 Organic Chemistry I and II | 8 |
| PHYS 201-202 Introductory Physics I and II | 8 |
| MATH 241 Analytic Geometry and Calculus A | 4 |
| Course Name and Number | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENGL 110 Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| 3 courses in languages, literature, philosophy, religion, arts | 91 |
| 3 courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science | 91 |
Notes
- These courses fulfill the TJU Humanities and Social Sciences requirements and must also be on the list of UD's College of Arts and Sciences Group A, Group B, and Group C courses. One of these six courses must also fulfill the UD multicultural requirement and one must fulfill the Arts and Sciences second writing course requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What grades must I have to be able to apply? You should have a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 and 3.0 in the sciences and no grade less than a C in prerequisite courses. However, earning the minimum grades does not guarantee admission. Successful applicants usually have grades much higher than the minimums.
- Will TJU accept AP credit for prerequisite courses? Yes, but they prefer that mathematics requirement be taken at the university.
- Should I have some sort of professional experience before applying? Being able to show that you have thought serious about your career decisions is required. You can volunteer in a pharmacy or do community service.
- When should I apply to TJU? Application should be submitted to TJU at the end of second year at UD.
- When should I apply through PHARMCAS? The service opens during the first week of June. After applying the application will take 3-4 weeks to reach TJU. After receiving the application TJU will send out a supplemental application.
- Do I have to wait to apply until I've taken PCAT? No! Also prerequisite courses do not have to be completed at the time you apply through PHARMCAS.
- What is the institutional code for TJU when logged on to PHARMCAS? It is 104. In addition you must also apply to at least one other school.
- Where should letters of recommendation be submitted? Letters should be submitted to PHARMCAS.
- When must the supplemental application be submitted? You should submit the secondary application as soon as you can. The deadline for submitting these applications is in mid-March. Decisions on admission are made by TJU during following fall.
- When should I take the PCAT? You should take it either in June or August of the year prior to the year you wish to be admitted to TJU.
- What scores on the PCAT must I obtain in order to be considered for admission? There are seven subsections to the PCAT test: biology, chemistry, quantitative ability (not physics), reading comprehension, verbal ability and two writing components. A composite score is also given. You must score 70% or better to be considered.
- Can I retake the PCAT? Yes. Scores from the retakes are not averaged for TJU admissions but you must score 70% on a single test.
- I took the PCAT in the past. Can I still use those scores? Yes, if the test has been taken within the last two years.
- When will I receive my PCAT scores? Scores are received within six weeks of the date of testing.
- When will TJU start reviewing applications? TJU reviews application once all materials are received. This includes the secondary application, PCAT scores and letters of recommendation. Prerequisite courses do not have to be completed for the application to be reviewed. However, if admitted, they can withdraw an offer, if prerequisite courses have not been successfully completed. Admission decisions are usually made in December or January. However, offers of admission can be made later for students on their waiting list.
- What do I do if I receive an offer of acceptance from TJU? Please bring the admission offer to Ramona Wilson. She will initiate a change of major into the B.S. with a Concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The first year at Jefferson will count for your fourth year at UD.
