As an aspiring pharmacist, your role in the healthcare industry will be pivotal. Susquehanna University’s unique pharmacy 3+4 programs allow students to accelerate their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), earning both a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna and a doctoral degree through our partnerships with Duquesne University or Temple University in only seven years.
During your first year at Susquehanna, you will have the distinctive opportunity to engage in cutting-edge collaborative research. Through hands-on experiences, you’ll apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to scientific challenges, effectively preparing yourself for the demands of a pharmacy program.
Susquehanna emphasizes comprehensive training in scientific communication, enabling you to master skills such as presenting research findings and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. With small class sizes and interactive, research-oriented courses, you’ll foster a strong sense of community while developing a diverse skill set that will equip you for a successful career.
of program students start research with faculty in their junior year
$1 million
in recent funding from the National Science Foundation for scholarships and summer research funding
75%
of students present their research at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society
Research to Curb Impact of Pharmaceuticals in Waterways
The best way to learn is by doing, and that’s precisely what you’ll find at Susquehanna. Lou Ann Tom, an associate professor of chemistry with 19 years of industry experience in pharmaceuticals, collaborates with her students for important research.
“The medicinal chemistry and biochemistry courses offered at Susquehanna prepared me well for my journey to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy. I give credit to my advisor for encouraging me to take the medicinal chemistry course. It was that class that sparked my interest into pursuing a career in pharmacy.”
Since 2012, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy is the only pharmacy school in the country to require participation in a professional development and advocacy course for graduation.
Established in 1901, Temple University School of Pharmacy is one of the oldest pharmacy schools in the country and is among the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry hubs of the northeastern United States.
Why a 3+4 degree instead of a traditional four-year degree?
By following the pharmacy 3+4 programs, you can save a year of study and earn both a bachelor’s degree and a doctoral degree in just seven years.
Susquehanna’s smaller class settings and early research opportunities help you develop important skills, such as:
Essential laboratory skills and hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment.
Critical thinking and problem-solving.
Scientific writing and communication.
You will develop other lifelong skills such as active listening, cultural competency, empathy, emotional intelligence and adaptability, and you will be ready to embark on the professional phase of your education at the end of three years, instead of four.
Student Research that Matters
As soon as their very first year at Susquehanna, students can participate in research opportunities. By graduation, students acquire a wealth of laboratory experience and research knowledge that empowers them to excel in their careers or pursue further education.
Learn more about Ethan Fix ’22 and his pharmaceutical research.
Explore the courses you’ll take on your journey to earning a degree in pharmacy 3+4 programs at Susquehanna.
This just an example of a possible 3-year roadmap for chemistry 3+4 major planning to continue at Duquesne University. Actual course sequences change depending on math placement, AP or transfer credit and student preference. Additionally, some choice of elective courses may be fixed depending on the pre-requisites at partner institution. Upon successful completion of the first year at the partner institution, students will transfer back the remaining credits towards Susquehanna graduation requirements.
1
st
Year – Fall (18 credits)
First-year seminar
Calculus I
General Chemistry I
Central Curriculum Elective
Language I
2
nd
Year – Fall (20 credits)
Statistics
Organic Chemistry II
Introductory Physics I (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
Economics
3
rd
Year – Fall (20 credits)
Physical Chemistry I
Inorganic Chemistry
Central Curriculum Elective
Linear Algebra
Chemistry Research Experience
Chemistry Seminar
GO Reflection Class
1
st
Year – Spring (20 credits)
Calculus II
Organic Chemistry I
Language II
Cell Biology and Genetics
Writing and Thinking
2
nd
Year – Spring (20 credits)
Structure and Reactivity
Methods of Chemical Analysis
Introductory Physics II (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
GO Prep Class
Chemistry Seminar
Chemistry Research Experience
3
rd
Year – Spring (20 credits)
Physical Chemistry II
Instrumental Analysis
Central Curriculum Elective(s)
Chemistry Capstone
Chemistry Seminar
This just an example of a possible 3-year roadmap for biochemistry 3+4 major planning to continue at Duquesne University or Temple University. Actual course sequences change depending on math placement, AP or transfer credit and student preference. Additionally, some choice of elective courses may be fixed depending on the pre-requisites at partner institution. Upon successful completion of the first year at the partner institution, students will transfer back the remaining credits towards Susquehanna graduation requirements.
1
st
Year – Fall (18 credits)
First-year seminar
Calculus I
General Chemistry I
Central Curriculum Elective
Language I
2
nd
Year – Fall (20 credits)
Statistics
Organic Chemistry II
Introductory Physics I (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
Economics
3
rd
Year – Fall (16–18 credits)
Physical Chemistry I
Biology Elective(s)
Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes with lab
Chemistry Research Experience
Chemistry Seminar
GO Reflection Class
1
st
Year – Spring (20 credits)
Calculus II
Organic Chemistry I
Language II
Cell Biology and Genetics
Writing and Thinking
2
nd
Year – Spring (20 credits)
Structure and Reactivity
Methods of Chemical Analysis
Introductory Physics II (calculus based)
Central Curriculum Elective
GO Prep Class
Chemistry Seminar
Chemistry Research Experience
3
rd
Year – Spring (16–20 credits)
Biochemistry of Metabolism with lab
Central Curriculum Elective(s)
Chemistry Capstone
Chemistry Seminar
This just an example of a possible 3-year roadmap for biochemistry 3+4 major (ACS track) planning to continue at Duquesne University. Actual course sequences change depending on math placement, AP or transfer credit and student preference. Additionally, some choice of elective courses may be fixed depending on the pre-requisites at partner institution. Upon successful completion of the first year at the partner institution, students will transfer back the remaining credits towards Susquehanna graduation requirements.
