Department of Pharmaceutics

Driving tomorrow’s innovations in the pharmaceutical sciences

Pharmaceutics, a multidisciplinary field integrating pharmacy and the life sciences, focuses on converting chemical entities into dosage forms that deliver and maintain the right drug levels at target sites in the body for safe and effective treatment. Our department brings expertise in physical pharmacy, biopharmaceutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, formulation, bioanalysis, drug metabolism and drug transport together to educate future researchers and industry experts and support advancements in discovering and developing drugs. Along with the Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine and the Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences, we are advancing the quality and safety of medications and pharmaceutical products that will allow for treatment or management of a variety of health conditions.

Explore

Degree Offerings

Our M.S. and Ph.D. programs offer comprehensive training in advanced pharmaceutical sciences, robust research opportunities, and a collaborative learning environment.

Two researchers working with lab equipment wearing lab coats.

Research

Our department is a leader in drug discovery and development.

Three research students working with lab equipment.

Courses

Review a list of pharmaceutics courses on the VCU Bulletin site.

A researcher talks to students in a research lab.

Student Organizations

Explore our dynamic student organizations that offer opportunities for connection, professional development and leadership.

Student leaders, all wearing Pharmaceutics T-shirts, get together for a photo during Multicultural Potluck Day

Who We Are

Faculty and Staff

Meet our dedicated faculty and staff, whose expertise and commitment drive our mission and foster a dynamic learning environment.

Graduate Students

Meet our current students, who are actively contributing to cutting-edge research and advancing their fields within the department.

Alumni

Explore the achievements of our alumni, who exemplify the success and impact of our department's education and training.

Pharmaceutics News

A smiling Provost Saavedra, in a suit with a black and gold bow tie, gestures toward the audience to emphasize a point while onstage at the School of Pharmacy's 4th Annual Convocation.

Aug. 25, 2026

Provost at Convocation: As problem-solvers, 'in 20 years, think, what will no longer be a problem?'

Keynote speaker Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., addressed faculty, staff and new students to share what motivates him and what’s next for VCU’s academic enterprise before the community celebrated seven faculty and staff honorees and three faculty promotions.

Karolina Aberg and Cait Gibson

Aug. 25, 2026

Drs. Aberg and Gibson named VCU faculty awardees for research and teaching excellence

Both faculty members will be recognized for their accomplishments at the university’s Faculty Recognition Gala in October.

(File photo)

July 28, 2026

VCU fuels new and emerging research endeavors and cross-campus collaboration with 2026 Quest Fund awards

These competitive internal grants empower faculty to launch pilot studies, restart research programs and drive transdisciplinary discoveries.