Dual Degree in Chemistry & Pharmacy
Under the provisions of an interinstitutional agreement with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), Simmons College offers a seven-year dual major (dual degree) program for Simmons students, leading to the BS degree in chemistry from Simmons and the PharmD degree from MCPHS. Interested students should consult the chair of the chemistry department.
Pharmacy is an integral part of the health care community and industry. The PharmD degree, followed by state licensing, leads to a variety of opportunities in community or hospital pharmacy and in research, development, and marketing with pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies. The dual degree program requires one year more to complete than a regular entry-level six-year PharmD but has somewhat more flexibility in career options, particularly for a student who becomes interested in research.
MCPHS, a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, is located on Longwood Avenue, one block from Simmons and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. It was organized as a private institution in 1823 to educate men and women in the profession of pharmacy. In addition to the professional PharmD degree, MCPHS offers undergraduate degrees in a number of health-related areas and research-oriented MS and PhD degrees in the pharmaceutical sciences.
The Chemistry/Pharmacy dual degree program is open only to students who do their first three years of college work at Simmons.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the double degree consists of three full years at Simmons, a fourth year that includes eight semester hours of independent study at Simmons with the remainder of the course work at MCPHS, and an additional three years at MCPHS completing coursework and experiential education.
Students fulfill the degree requirements of both institutions; no degree is awarded until the entire program is complete. At that time, the student receives a PharmD degree from MCPHS and a BS degree in chemistry from Simmons.
Licensure in pharmacy in Massachusetts requires 1,000 hours of internship (practical pharmacy) plus a state board examination. The student usually begins the internship with summer or academic year appointments after transferring to MCPHS. The balance of the internship requirement is met by satisfactory completion of the experiential education during the seventh year. State licensing examinations are generally taken during the summer following graduation.
Students interested in the double degree should talk to the chair of the chemistry department as early as possible in their programs. Early contact is helpful both for advising for the proper prerequisite courses and for identifying the total number of potential double degree candidates.
Students apply for admission to MCPHS during their junior year at Simmons through MCPHS's normal transfer student admission process. Although MCPHS agrees to give qualified Simmons students preference, it is their right to determine final suitability for entry into the professional pharmacy program.
Requirements
(First three years plus Independent Study)
First Year
Note: In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to take Multidisciplinary Core Course I and Multidisciplinary Core Course II.| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 6 Courses | ||
| General Biology | BIOL-113 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Principles of Zoology | BIOL-218 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Principles of Chemistry | CHEM-113 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Organic Chem I | CHEM-114 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Calculus I | MATH-120 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Calculus II | MATH-121 | 4.00 | Lecture |
Sophomore Year
Note: In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to take an elective in American History/Political Science and a Language course.| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 6 Courses | ||
| Microbiology | BIOL-221 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Organic Chemistry II | CHEM-225 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Quantitative Analysis | CHEM-226 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Funds of Physics I | PHYS-112 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Funds of Physics II | PHYS-113 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Introduction to Psychology | PSYC-101 | 4.00 | Lecture |
Junior Year
Note: In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to take electives in the following areas: Mode 1/Humanities, Psychology (PSYC235 recommended), and Social Science (200 level or higher). Students may also choose either MATH118 or MATH 238 to fulfill the requirements.| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 6 Courses | ||
| Thermodynamics & Kinetics | CHEM-331 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Quantum Mech & Molec Structure | CHEM-332 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Biochemistry | CHEM-345 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Prin. of Macroeconomics | ECON-101 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Introductory Statistics | MATH-118 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Applied Statistical Models | MATH-238 | 4.00 | Lecture |
Senior Year
| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2 Courses | ||
| Ind Study W/ Thesis | CHEM-355 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Chemistry Seminar | CHEM-390 | 1.00 | Lecture |