pills: pre-pharmacy informational, learning & leadership society

General Meeting

September 25, 2002

What is Pharmacy School?

Full-time, four-year course of study that provides an educational foundation for a career in pharmacy.

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree is earned at the end of the four year program.

Basic Pharmacy School Curriculum

1st & 2nd Years: Focus on basic biological, physical, and chemical sciences.

3rd Year: Combine additional scientific courses with professional courses and clinical orientation

4th Year: Clinical Rotations

General Requirements for Pharmacy School

Minimum Grade Point Average Minimum Unit Requirement Academic Pre-requisites

English Requirements

2 semesters of English This includes any class that fulfills the

reading and comprehension requirement

Calculus Requirements

1 Semester of Calculus Math 16A or Math 1A

General Chemistry

2 Semesters of General Chemistry with LAB Chemistry 1A or 4A Chemistry 1B or 4B or MCB 102

Organic Chemistry

2 Semesters of Organic Chemistry with LAB Chemistry 3A or Chemistry 112A Chemistry 3B or Chemistry 112B

General Biology

2 semesters of General Biology with LAB Biology 1A and Biology 1B

Physics

2 Semesters of Physics with LAB Note: 1 lab must include Electromagnetism Physics 8A or Physics 7A Physics 8B or Physics 7B

Physiology

1 Semester of Physiology Lab may be required depending on school Lecture: MCB 32, MCB 136, IB 132 Lab: MCB 32L or IB 132L

Microbiology

1 Semester of Microbiology Lab may be required depending on school Lecture: Public Health 162A or MCB 112 Lab: Public Health 162L

Behavioral Science

1 Semester of Behavioral Sciences Psychology 1 or 2 Sociology 1 Anthropology 3

Public Speaking

1 Semester of Public Speaking or Debate Rhetoric 2 or Rhetoric 30 (only offered

during summer sessions)

Economics

1 Semester of Macro or Micro-economics Economics 1, 2, 100A or 100B

UCSF/UCSD Exceptions to Requirements

Physiology lab is not required

UOP Exceptions to the Requirements

If you do not have a US bachelor’s degree, you must complete a course in each of these categories:

1. International/Inter-Cultural Studies

2. Fundamental Human Concerns

3. Practice and Perspectives in the Arts

No Physiology Required No Microbiology Lab

Western Exceptions to Requirements

Human Anatomy with LAB (IB 131 and 131L) Physiology and Microbiology labs are required

USC Exceptions to Requirements

2nd Sem. of Chemistry: Chem 5 or MCB 100 Public Speaking: Linguistics 21 or 51 Molecular Biology: MCB 110 or 130 Statistics: Stats 2, 20, 21 or PH 142A Economics: Must take Econ 100A & 100B or

101A & 101B Labs: Required for physiology and

microbiology

Important Facts

Academic background characterized by: breadth of coursework attendance at a four-year college more than 200 quarter units of completed

college coursework completion of a bachelor of science or bachelor

of arts degree an overall grade point average of 3.43 a grade point average in prepharmacy

requirements of 3.40

The Application Process

As of now, each school has their own application that you must complete individually.

Starting next fall, many schools will be adopting the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS), which is a common application to pharmacy schools, similar to medical school common applications.

Strong Applications Demonstrate:

strong and detailed letters of recommendation

detailed biographical information a strong, well-written statement of purpose

and thought-provoking essays strong, confident interviews and a good

interview essay

Other Things Pharmacy Schools Look for:

Personal motivation shown by: community service/volunteer work knowledge of pharmacy/the health care

industry excellent communication skills

The Interview

After your application has been reviewed, the school may invite you to an interview

Format of interview depends on school. Usually consists of a written and verbal

portion. Interviews normally occur in January and

February.

The Acceptance

Schools will notify you by March or April on the status of your application.

Acknowledgments

UCSF School of Pharmacy:

http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/pharmd/

UCSD School of Pharmacy:

http://pharmacy.ucsd.edu/

USC School of Pharmacy:

http://www.usc.edu/hsc/pharmacy/

UOP School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: http://www.uop.edu/pacific.nsf/?Open

Western University College of Pharmacy:

http://www.westernu.edu/cp.html

PharmCAS: The Pharmacy College Application Service

http://www.pharmcas.org/