En route to her doctorate in pharmacy, Titilayo Sunday became curious about drug discovery.
She still wanted to acquire the deep understanding about drugs that she would need to care for patients. And she also wanted to understand the efforts behind getting those drugs to market.
She decided to supplement her coursework with classes in pharmaceutical sciences. As a result, she will earn a bachelor’s in pharmaceutical sciences this month, even as she continues toward expected completion of her pharmacy doctorate (PharmD) in May 2025.
“I wanted to have some hands-on experience in the research laboratory aspects,” said Sunday, who has decided to begin her career as a pharmacist, as planned, but to also keep open the possibility of seeking a research position someday.
Sunday is part of a trend that has led to a change in the structure of the pharmacy program. She is one of 21 students who will receive bachelor’s degrees in pharmaceutical sciences this month and remain on campus to complete their doctorates. That’s half of the 42 ACPHS students slated to earn degrees in December.
At ACPHS, the bachelor’s in pharmaceutical sciences degree is focused on either a research track (BSPS) or a skills track (BSPK). The BSPS often appeals to students interested in a career in research or the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The BSPK, on the other hand, has traditionally been an option for students working toward a PharmD who determine for various reasons that they will not be able to complete that program, which typically takes six years.
In the last several years, however, an increasing number of students who intend to complete the PharmD have asked to add the BSPK to their credentials. Until now, they have done this on an “opt in” basis, actively adjusting their coursework and applying to complete the second degree, as Sunday did.
In response to students’ increased interest in acquiring two degrees, the pharmacy program has undergone minor restructuring. Beginning with students matriculating in Fall 2024, those who complete the PharmD program will automatically receive a BSPK. Those PharmD students who choose not to complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree will thereafter need to actively “opt out” of the bachelor’s track, according to Dr. Lauren Purington, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences. In addition, the College is inviting all current PharmD students to opt into a bachelor’s degree program while earning their doctorate.
Student Britney Mbeng, who received her BSPK in 2021 and expects to complete her PharmD in May 2024, thinks the curriculum change may help pharmacy students home in on career choices by exposing them to professional training earlier.
“The advantage of two degrees extends beyond its ability to simply distinguish a student from someone with ‘just’ a PharmD,” Mbeng said, “but comes from how we plan to cultivate more confident and competent student pharmacists.”
Congratulations to all students completing their degrees in December 2023!
BS Biomedical Technology
Muslim Ceren
Aiden Riley Tam
BS Microbiology
Doran Ariel Katz
Pankaj Kanna Panneer Selvam
Aditi Rathor
BS Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS)
Isabella Rose Beecken
Ji Woo Chung
BS Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPK)
Seung Muk Choi
Julia Camryn Clarke
Morgan Richard Deriggs
Tajae Evans
Zulnorain Hashmi
Zhenzi Hong
Dylan Knapp
Elizabeth Anne Lambert
Magdalen Latif
Austin J. Lewerk
Sadie E. Lozier
Daniel J. Pickelny
Seobum Shin
Titilayo F. Sunday
Rabiah Tahir
Shirley Tang
Shota Tchavtchavadze
Carlos Andres Tenenpaguay
Colby Kent Webster
Nancy Yang
Hyun Ju Abigail Yoon
BS Public Health
Nicholas Elder
Viktoriya Yatsiv
Morgan Paige Muller
MS Biomedical Sciences
Asalah F. Obaid
Joseph Anthony Salcce
MS Biomanufacturing and Bioprocessing
Bereket Berhane Estifanos
Nivedita Sivakumar
MS Cytoechnology/Molecular Cytology
Wasaef Fahad Almutairi
Paola Cruz Ramirez
Kristin McCamy
Risa Minami
Julia S. Vargas
Swan Yi
Doctor of Pharmacy
Jaenna Paggao