Preparing for Admission to Pharmacy School
The following recommendations are for students desiring to enter pharmacy as a profession. Currently, the entry degree for pharmacists is the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD).
As a pre-pharmacy student, you must have a sound background in math and science, which can be accomplished by majoring in Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry. However, a science major is not required.
Good communication skills are important, as is a broad general education in the social sciences and humanities. The Pre-Pharmacy Program required by schools of pharmacy is a minimum of two years, but a minimum of three years is highly recommended. The most competitive candidates earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree prior to matriculation at a pharmacy graduate program.
Below is a list of courses required by many pharmacy schools. You should check the individual school for specific requirements and also check with the PPHS coordinator. Applications to pharmacy schools begin with a , available at PharmCAS.
| General Biology |
BIO 2101, 2102, 2103 |
15 |
| Anatomy and Physiology |
BIO 2129 and 2130 |
10 |
| Microbiology |
BIO 3351 |
5 |
| General Chemistry |
CHM 1211, 1212 |
10 |
| Organic Chemistry |
CHM 3371, 3372, 3373 |
15 |
| Introductory Inorganic Chemistry |
CHM 2540 |
5 |
| Mathematics |
Including a course in calculus |
5鈥�10 |
| Biochemistry |
|
5鈥�10 |
| Statistics |
MAT 2360 |
5 |
| Public Speaking |
COM 1321 |
5 |
| Total |
|
80鈥�90 |
Other undergraduate biology courses recommended are genetics, cell biology, neurobiology, and immunology. Two courses in English composition, humanities, and social science are required. Check the requirements of the individual schools that interest you.
Other recommended courses are English literature, economics, psychology, history, and physics.