The WIU Department of Chemistry offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry–Pharmacy option. The bachelor's degree in chemistry– pharmacy option is a focused degree in chemistry that emphasizes the chemical nature, effect, action and metabolism of drugs. This program is unique, as no other pharmacy options for degrees in chemistry or biology are identified (either on the web or through the American Chemical Society or the American Institute for Biological Sciences). Western Illinois University's chemistry–pharmacy option program targets those students who seek a career as a pharmacist (Pharm.D.) or pharmacologist (Ph.D.), but it would also benefit students who wish to work in the pharmaceutical or biotech industries. The pharmacy option will also be useful to students seeking careers in forensic pharmacology, pharmaceutical sales or as certified pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and other healthcare professionals. Pharmaceutical science has seen enormous growth in the past 30 years. As medical knowledge increases, new drugs are constantly being designed, developed and formulated. With an aging population in the United States, employment in the health care industry is likely to increase over the next couple of decades.