Pharmacists (Pharm.D.) are the primary dispensers of medicines and health supplies. They serve as a prime source of information on health topics. They are specialists in the science of drugs, including their composition, chemical and physical properties, manufacture and use, purity and strength. Pharmacists may work in community practice, hospital pharmacies, federal programs, sales and marketing, or research and development. The Doctor of Pharmacy degree takes four years of study in pharmacy school. The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is required for all applicants.
Minimum Required Courses
- Biology
BIO 123 Biology I
BIO 222 Cell and Molecular Biology
BIO 325 Microbiology
BIO 363-364 Human Anatomy and Physiology - Chemistry
CHM 111-112 General Chemistry
CHM 201-202 Organic Chemistry
CHM 305 Quantitative Analysis - Mathematics
MTH 222-223 Calculus - Physics
PHY 101-102 General Physics or
PHY 111-112
Special Considerations
- Additional Courses
- CHM 415 Biochemistry
- Shadowing and/or internship experience with a pharmacist
- Volunteer work
Admissions Tests
Application
- Apply to schools through service
- Pharmacy College Application service -- PharmCAS Home Page
- What schools look for:
- the interview
- grades
- test scores
- recommendations
- personal statement
- shadowing/volunteer work
Useful links
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
- Kaplan Test Preparation Programs
- Comprehensive Database of Clinical Trials in the U.S.
- Online Drug Information