FASTFACTS
- The state of South Carolina has created $2,500 per year enhancements for Palmetto Fellows and/or LIFE Scholarship recipients majoring in science or math fields.
- Chemists often interact with scientists from other disciplines and work independently or as part of a team.
- PC’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) recently received an Honorable Mention Award from the ACS.
- PC biochemistry majors often conduct research individually or with their professors.
What You’ll Study in this Pharmacy-Focused Chemistry Major
Your courses prepare you for an advanced degree and a career in pharmacy. The major is similar to the regular chemistry major at PC: During your freshman and sophomore years, you fulfill your general education requirements, which serve as the basis of your liberal arts education. And you’ll establish a foundation in chemistry by taking courses in general, organic and physical chemistry.
Beyond that, you’ll take more courses other than chemistry when you declare the chemistry major with a pharmacy concentration as your major. Biological Concepts, Organismal Biology and Public Speaking are required for the major. You can choose courses to fulfill requirements in economics, math and statistics, and psychology and sociology.
In Microbiology, you’re introduced to microorganisms with an emphasis on bacteria. Topics include working with microbes, bacterial cell structure, motility and chemotaxis, microbial systematics, metabolic diversity, basics of microbial pathogenesis, and antibiotic resistance. The laboratory is organized around student research projects.
In Physiology, you study the basic function of living organisms. In the lab, you study small animal metabolism, hormones, circulation, respiration and muscle physiology.
During your senior year, you’ll complete a capstone project to be approved by the Department of Chemistry. The education you receive will provide the knowledge, experience and skillset to prepare you to excel in the workplace and in pursuit of an advanced pharmacy degree.
MORE INFORMATION
- Course Requirements »
- BCHE Course Descriptions »
- BIOL Course Descriptions »
- CHEM Course Descriptions »
- CBIO Course Descriptions »
- ENVI Course Descriptions »
- CO = Co-requisite
- POI = Permissions of Instructor
- PR = Pre-requisite
- RE = Recommended
- XL = Cross-listed
Careers in Chemistry focused in Pharmacy
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists work a wide variety of settings, such as pharmacies. These in drug, general merchandise and grocery stores. They also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Pharmacy graduates enjoy a lucrative starting pay. According to PayScale, the average salary for a pharmacist with one to four years of professional experience is $108,589.
Many PC undergraduates go on to pursue an advanced degree at the PC School of Pharmacy. Chemistry graduates, with a concentration in pharmacy, from PC have been hired by various companies and job settings including PAI Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Associates.
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