Accelerated Pharmacy-Biotechnology Degree Pathway

Biotechnology BSc

Description of the programme

The Biotechnology BSc programme aims to educate students to become immediately employable after graduation. The program will offer both theoretical and practical skills needed to start working as skilled biotechnologist in many industrial fields and offers several months of industrial placements for sufficient work experience. Using state of the art laboratory techniques students can also experience laboratory research and have a great variety of further education possibilities to choose from in medical, pharmaceutical, environmental and food biotechnology.

Accelerated Pharmacy-Biotechnology Degree Pathway (5+1)

The Accelerated Pharmacy-Biotechnology Degree Pathway at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, is a specialized program designed to integrate pharmaceutical sciences with cutting-edge biotechnology education. This pathway offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares students for roles in the rapidly evolving fields of drug development, biopharmaceutical production, and personalized medicine. By combining foundational knowledge in pharmacy with advanced biotechnology techniques, students gain expertise in areas such as molecular biology, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, and bioprocessing.

The program is structured to accelerate learning while maintaining rigorous academic standards. It emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical skills through laboratory-based training and research projects. Graduates of the 5+1 pathway are equipped to pursue careers in pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, regulatory agencies, or continue into advanced research roles or doctoral studies. This pathway is ideal for academically motivated students seeking to bridge the gap between pharmacy and biotechnology to address contemporary challenges in healthcare innovation. It also supports the Faculty’s mission to produce professionals who can efficiently integrate scientific advancements into clinical and industrial settings.

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

1. How can I accredit my pharmacy courses in the biotechnology bachelor program after I have received my PharmD degree? How many and exactly which courses can be transferred?

The Faculty Credit Transfer Committee (CTC) acts as the primary authority in deciding credit transfer matters for programs run by the faculty. Credit transfer decisions are made by the CTC based on a student’s written request, in accordance with relevant laws and university regulations. ( see additional information on credit transfer online).

The credit transfer scheme between the Biotechnology BSc curriculum and the Pharmacy one-tier master (OTM) curriculum is included in the recommended curricula table. The majority of the courses in the first and second year of the biotechnology curricula can be transferred during the credit recognition process, as the decision point is primarily knowledge (learning outcome) focused, rather than the number of hours or credit value. This principle aligns with international best practices in credit transfer and recognition of prior learning. Furthermore, the Code of Studies and Examinations of the University does not specify a limit on the maximum number of credits that can be transferred.

A template will be provided for graduating students participating in the Accelerated Pharmacy-Biotechnology Degree Pathway for a fast and seamless credit recognition process.

2. Do I need to submit my application to the Biotechnology BSc program after my PharmD graduation?

Yes, all prospective students of the Faculty of Pharmacy programs shall apply via Dream Apply. However, graduated students in the Accelerated Pharmacy-Biotechnology Degree Pathway do not need to pay an application or exam fee or participate in the entrance exam.

3. Where can I find the list of optional courses related to biotechnology that I must complete during my 5 years of pharmacy education?

The list of Pharmacy-Biotechnology Degree Pathway optional courses (selected from obligatory courses of the Biotechnology BSc curriculum) is available on the Registration Office website and in the Neptun educational system during the course registration period. The provided table also serves as a "recommended curriculum" indicating when students shall register for specific courses during their pharmacy and biotechnology education.

4. Will I sit together with biotechnology students during my pharmacy studies?

Yes, pharmacy students enrolled in biotechnology courses will have the opportunity to study alongside biotechnology students in English. This provides an excellent opportunity to build international personal and professional relationships.

5. Can students from the Hungarian program join this 5+1 pathway?

Yes, the same opportunities are available for both language programs; however, students graduating in the Hungarian language pharmacy program shall prove their B2 English proficiency to successfully continue their studies.

6. What should I do if the timetable of my optional biotechnology course overlaps with my obligatory course in my pharmacy courses?

Optional courses must be registered with careful and prospective consideration of the timetables of both pharmacy and biotechnology programs to avoid overlaps. To reduce the chance of conflicting timetables, through flexibility, pharmacy students participating in the Accelerated Pharmacy-Biotechnology Degree Pathway will be allocated in the same student group.

7. Which optional courses should I complete during my 5-year PharmD education, and what is the recommended order of the courses? Are there any prerequisites for these optional courses?

Courses to be completed during your PharmD studies are listed in the recommended curricula table as “Completed as an optional course during Pharmacy education”. There are no prerequisites for these courses. The recommended semester of completion is indicated in the table, reflecting any required prior knowledge needed to successfully finish the course.

8. How should I plan my professional practice/internship schedule throughout my pharmacy education?

Pharmacy students must complete eight months of professional practice/internship as part of their curriculum, including a minimum of six months in community and hospital pharmacies. Students following the 5+1 pathway are required to complete at least six weeks of practice at biopharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. At least 1 month of summer internship after the second, third, or fourth year is recommended for biotechnology-related practices.

Professional practice completed during PharmD education may be credited based on individual assessment that considers the internship’s duration, location, and activities performed. Given the close relationship between the Biotechnology BSc and Pharmacy MSc programs, the faculty may, on a case-by-case basis, consider accepting a six-week portion of the MSc internship to fulfill BSc internship requirements.

9. What thesis or student research topic should I choose during my PharmD education phase? Will it automatically be accepted in the Biotechnology bachelor program?

No, you will need to submit one thesis for pharmacy and one for biotechnology in order to receive a diploma for each program. However, during your PharmD studies you must register for and complete “Student Project Research for Students of Pharmacy Program 1 and 2” in order to get your Biotechnology BSc Thesis 1, 2, and 3 subjects eligible for credit transfer.

It is strongly recommended to choose biotechnology-related thesis and student research (TDK) topics that integrate experimental elements, as the Biotechnology BSc thesis cannot be a literature review and must incorporate lab work and research methodology. While the thesis you write and defend during your pharmacy studies will not automatically be accepted in the biotechnology program, selecting a similar or partly overlapping thesis topic and research will help you progress more efficiently during your +1 year in the biotechnology program.

Preparing a thesis/diploma work is an integral part of the educational program, designed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired during your studies. Therefore, a new, independent thesis work is expected for each degree program. However, certain parts of an MSc thesis, such as your PharmD thesis, may potentially be used in your Biotechnology BSc thesis, provided this is coordinated with the relevant departments and supervisors. In such cases, it is essential to properly rewrite and cite these sections to avoid self-plagiarism, while ensuring that the BSc thesis remains a new, independent piece of work in its entirety.

10. Will the biotechnology courses offered as optional courses in the pharmacy program be accepted as optional credits?

Yes, these courses are available as optional courses and count as optional credits in your pharmacy education.

11. Is there a recommended curriculum a student must follow?

The courses of the +1 year can be completed only during this final year. The remaining optional courses can be completed anytime during your pharmacy studies. This is highly recommended for the sake of feasibility. The table indicates the recommended semesters of registration, as prior knowledge might be needed to successfully complete the courses.

Downloadable materials