PhD in Pre-pharmacy Program
A two-year program of study is offered to prepare students to apply to a four-year doctoral program in pharmacy (a 2+4 program). Most schools and colleges of pharmacy require 60-75 credits in their two-year pre-pharmacy phase, depending on the number of general education credits required. Individual programs vary in the general education courses they require, e.g., economics, social science, humanities, and fine arts, so students should consult those programs accordingly. The pre-pharmacy concentration is a time-intensive program that students will need to commit to upon entering the University. Students are encouraged to take summer courses to reduce the number of credits taken each semester. If students choose not to take summer courses, they should consider extending the program to three years. If they do well in this program of study, they will be competitive with students from other universities applying for entry into professional pharmacy programs. The pre-pharmacy program is not a degree program but if students decide not to transfer after two years, they will be well along the path toward earning a B.S. in biology . For further information contact the Biological Sciences Department Health Profession Advisor, Patricia O'Mahoney-Damon, 225 Science Building, Portland.
The minimum number of credits required for the pre-pharmacy program, including general education requirements: 79. A grade of C- or higher is required for all courses listed below. Although there is not a degree in pre-pharmacy, the pre-pharmacy program is taken within the biology degree program.
All of the following are required:
BIO 105, 106 Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology and Laboratory
BIO 107 Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology
BIO 111, 112 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Laboratory
BIO 211, 212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Laboratory
Chemistry (18 credit hours)
CHY 113, 114, 115, 116 Principles of Chemistry I and II and Laboratory
CHY 251, 252, 253 Organic Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Physics (10 credit hours)
PHY 111, 114, 112, 116 Elements of Physics I and II and Laboratory
Mathematics (8 credit hours)
MAT 152 Calculus A
MAT 220 Statistics for the Biological Sciences
Other required courses:
ENG 100 College Writing
ENG 120 Introduction to Literature
PSY 101 General Psychology I
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
THE 170 Public Speaking
In addition, students must fulfill an additional 6-9 credits of general education electives, and some programs require three credits of economics.
Recommended Course Sequence
Because the biology curriculum includes many support courses (chemistry, physics, math) that need to be taken in addition to biology courses, the Department offers a suggested plan of study, shown below. There is no guarantee that every course listed will be offered when the student wants the course. Students should consult their academic advisors regularly.
Pre-pharmacy Program Plan
| Year 1 | Credits |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 105 Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 106 Laboratory Biology | 1.5 |
| CHY 113 Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 114 Laboratory Techniques I | 1 |
| ENG 100 College Writing | 3 |
| EYE 1XX Entry Year Experience | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 107 Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology | 4.5 |
| CHY 115 Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHY 116 Laboratory Techniques II | 1 |
| ENG 120 Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| THE 170 Public Speaking | 3 |
| Summer session | |
| PHY 111 Elements of Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 114 Introductory Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHY 112 Elements of Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 116 Introductory Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| Year 2 | |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 111 Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO 112 Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 1.5 |
| CHY 251 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 252 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| MAT 152 Calculus A | 4 |
| PSY 101 General Psychology I | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 212 Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 1.5 |
| CHY 253 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHY 254 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| MAT 220 Statistics for Biological Sciences | 4 |
| SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Summer Session (general education requirements vary by program so check individual program requirements) | |
| ECO 101 Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or ECO 102 Introduction to Microeconomics | |
| General education electives (ex: ART, PHI, HTY) | 3-6 |
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