Course Recommendations: Pharmacy

For more information about the field of pharmacy and career paths within pharmacy, start with Pharm4Me resources and learn the steps to the career from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).

As you plan your college curriculum, search the AACP’s interactive map and searchable school database for accredited Pharm.D. programs.  Courses you’ll need can vary considerably between schools. Access a current comparison chart by following the link to “COURSE PREREQUISTES,” updated yearly by the AACP. Find detailed information on individual program websites.  

Completing the following courses will fulfill the requirements at most schools. Check individual school websites to confirm.  Note that many school will accept AP credit for some prerequisites.

Biology

• One year of general biology with lab, fulfilled via ONE of the following options, based on your College/major:
  • Principles of Biology 1&2: BIOL 1400 & 1450 
  • OR:  Exploring Biology 1&2: BCOR 1400 & 1450 (or Accelerated Biology: BCOR 1425)
  • OR:  Human Cell Biology: BHSC 1340 & Principles of Biology 2: BIOL1450
• Anatomy & Physiology 1&2: ANPS 1190 & 1200
• Microbiology & Infectious Disease: MMG 2010
• At least one additional upper-level biology course is recommended. Content most likely to be recommended are genetics and molecular/cell biology.

Chemistry & Biochemistry

One year of general chemistry with lab and one year of organic chemistry with lab are required by nearly schools. Biochemistry (one course) is required by 30% of programs.

General (Inorganic) Chemistry:

• General Chemistry 1&2: Chem 1400 & CHEM 1450

Organic Chemistry:

• Organic Chemistry 1&2: Chem 2580 & CHEM 2585
• OR:  For some Chemistry/Biochemistry majors:
  • Organic Chemistry for Majors 1 & 2: CHEM 1500 & 1550

Biochemistry (required by 1/3 of programs):

• Fundamentals of Biochemistry: BIOC 3001
• OR:  As required for biochemistry and chemistry majors:
  • Biochemistry 1: BIOC 3005 (taken as part of a two-semester course which includes BIOC 3006)

Physics

Physics is required by ~ 60% of programs. For most, one semester with lab (or AP credit) will suffice.  Because of the variability, consult individual programs of interest to confirm.  

• Elementary Physics (algebra-based): PHYS 1400
• OR:  Fundamentals of Physics (calculus-based): PHYS 1600
• OR:  Physics for Engineers: PHYS 1500

Calculus & Statistics

• One semester of calculus is required by nearly all programs. Any calculus course is acceptable.
• One semester of statistics is required by ~75% of all programs. STAT 1110,  STAT 1410, or a statistics-heavy classes required by specific majors, are acceptable.

English/Humanities

Nearly all schools require an English composition/writing intensive course (fulfilled by any UVM WIL1 options. Many programs require a second English course and some outline additional credits required in the humanities. A small percentage of programs require a course in ethics.

Public Speaking/Communication

Greater than half of the pharmacy programs require one course that emphasizes public speaking. Effective Speaking: SPCH 1400 is an example of a relevant course, although any course whose syllabus indicates a significant public speaking component may be acceptable.

Social Sciences

Almost half of the programs require 1 or 2 courses in a social science discipline (e.g., psychological science, sociology, anthropology)

Economics

Nearly half of the programs require one economics course.