Pharmacy

Pharmacy focuses on the development and production as well as the use and effects of pharmaceuticals. Due to this broad focus, students first receive basic training in chemistry, biology and medicine as well as, to a lesser extent, physics and mathematics. This is followed by courses that examine specific pharmaceutical subject areas.

Pharmaceutical chemistry explores the discovery and development processes as well as the modes of action of specific drugs, while pharmacology focuses on the drugs’ effects and reactions in the body. Pharmaceutical technology examines the ways in which active ingredients can be administered (in form of tablets, drops, as an ointment, etc.).

To promote practical experience in addition to their theoretical knowledge, students are required to complete an eight-week internship (the so-called Famulatur) at a pharmacy during their basic studies (years 1 and 2). The main studies are followed by a year of practical training. The ultimate goal of this program is pharmacist licensure, which students attain by passing the state pharmaceutical examination.

Possible lines of work:

Work at a retail or a hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical industry/pharmaceutical wholesaling, administration (health authorities), social security/occupational organizations, military (medical officer), teacher at a German technical college, free-lance journalistic work (publishers, specialist periodicals), academia (teaching/research at universities, research institutions, etc.)