Our undergraduate program in Pharmacology and Drug Development prepares you for graduate work in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry and other healthcare-related fields as well as careers within biotechnology research and development. Through innovative coursework and independent research opportunities, the program instills you with skills in pharmacology, toxicology, and medical product development and use. Graduates are positioned for employment at leading research universities and in industry, government or any research-centric arena.

Learning Outcomes

Apply real-world knowledge to problems arising within pharmacology, toxicology, and medical product development and use

Compare and contrast laboratory, social and clinical research methods to facilitate optimum translational research

Construct and implement research designs across a variety of technologies

Produce and interpret research outputs with relevance to pharmaceutical, medical and healthcare projects

Develop professional and ethical skills related to research and application of pharmacology

Sample Courses

• Breaking Brains: Pharmacology of the Addicted Brain
• Buzzed: Modern Substances of Abuse and Addiction
• Ethics, Drugs and Society
• Food Safety: The Good, the Bad and the Deadly
• Globalization of the Biomedical Industry
• Management and Operation of Clinical Trials
• Medical Products: From Idea to Market
• Mysterious Deaths: From Poisons in Literature and History to Forensic Toxicology

Undergraduate Honors

Students in the Pharmacology and Drug Development major are eligible to graduate with honors by participating in a capstone project. 

What does being a Trojan mean to you?

“I have met the most beautiful people here at USC—people I laughed with, cried with, and who became lifelong friends. For me, the greatest marker for success is happiness, and I believe I have achieved that in my time at USC.”

Danijela Covo

BS Pharmacology and Drug Development ’23

Clinical Research Coordinator, Cedars-Sinai

How did you benefit from the Pharmacology and Drug Development program?

“I received an incredible amount of one-on-one mentoring and advising from the faculty at USC. They opened my eyes to a whole new set of career opportunities in healthcare.”

Daniel Liu

BS Pharmacology and Drug Development ’22

Associate, Amgen Career Discovery Program

What is it like to be an undergraduate student at USC Mann?

“All the professors at USC Mann are highly accredited in their fields, and the knowledge they provide in each class is priceless. Whether it’s the academic content or the connections, you walk away from a class with something valuable.”

Abbe Pingol

BS Pharmacology and Drug Development ’25

Class of 2025