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Bachelor of Science in Biology: Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Pharmacy

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Build a strong foundation to launch your Pharmacy career

As healthcare professionals, pharmacists ensure the quality of medicines supplied to patients. The pharmacist is responsible for assuring the medicines prescribed to patients are suitable, as well as advising patients about medicines, including how to take them, what reactions may occur, and answering patients' questions. Pharmacists also make sure the supply of medicines is within the law.

Mercy College's Pre-Pharmacy track prepares students for and transitions them into pharmacy school. As part of an articulation agreement with a Doctoral program of Pharmacy at St. Joseph University, Mercy College offers a consolidated 6-year pharmacy program. Students are able to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Mercy College and a Doctorate of Pharmacy at University of St. Joseph (USJ) in these six years.

For the first three years of the program, Mercy College courses are taken at Mercy College. The fourth year of the degree program is taken at USJ in Hartford, Connecticut. Courses completed in the first year at USJ transfer back to Mercy College for the completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree. This fourth year of courses is also counted toward the first year of credit of the Doctor of Pharmacy program. With the foundational knowledge in medicine and health sciences at Mercy College, and advanced education through the USJ partnership, students gain a competitive edge to serve well and stand out in their healthcare careers.

Students who graduate from USJ's Doctor of Pharmacy program go on to work in many career paths, including clinical research, medical sales, pharmacology, and product/process development, among others.

Leisamorrison sq
As an educator, my concern is the student and not just the subject that I teach.

I want my students to be able to see their worth, appreciate their value to society and be ready to take on the world.”

Leisa Morrison, PhD

Coordinator of Physiology, Professor, Arts & Science Division

The Biology program's flexible design supports each student's individual career goals. The curriculum incorporates courses covering a range of maths and sciences. In each course, expect personal attention and 1:1 support from experienced faculty.

Career Outlook

Employment Growth

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook: Employment of pharmacists is projected to show little or no change from 2018 to 2028. However, demand is projected to increase for pharmacists in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics. These facilities will need more pharmacists to oversee the medications given to patients and to provide patient care, doing tasks such as testing a patient’s blood sugar or cholesterol.

Salary Range

2018 Median Pay for Pharmacists was $126,120 annually.

Admission Requirements

Any Mercy College student in good standing can declare a biology major. High school science courses (Biology and Chemistry with a lab) or their college equivalents, must be taken within the past seven years with a “C” or better prior to the first semester. For a student to progress to semester III of the program, the mathematics pre-requisites must be met. (High school courses or their college equivalents within the past seven years with a "C" or better include Algebra I; Algebra II and Trigonometry or Pre- Calculus or an integrated sequence of advanced math courses (Statistics, Business Math, and/or computer courses will not fulfill this requirement). All program courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better; a grade of “B” or higher preferred, to progress through the program and for graduation.

Biology Program : Estimate Your Expenses

Mercy College is the #1 college in the region for return on investment. Calculate your estimated initial expenses.

Professional Organizations

  • External LinkAmerican Association of College of Pharmacy (AACP)


    AACP recognizes a special responsibility to provide leadership in advancing and enhancing the quality of education and training in its member institutions while respecting the diversity inherent among them.

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  • External LinkAmerican Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)


    Founded in 1986, the AAPS is a professional, scientific organization of individual members and actively participating stakeholders employed in academia, industry, government, and other pharmaceutical science-related research institutes worldwide.

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  • External LinkAmerican College of Clinical Pharmacy (AACP)


    The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) is a professional and scientific society that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources enabling clinical pharmacists to achieve excellence in practice, research, and education.

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  • External LinkAccreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)


    ACPE sets standards for the education of pharmacists to prepare them for the delivery of pharmacist-provided patient care.

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