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Starting in the fall of 2009 there will be extended prerequisite requirements added to the UCD School of Pharmacy PharmD program. The required semester credit hours will increase from 65 to 90 for entry into the PharmD program.

PHARM.D. ADMISSIONS

New PHARM.D. ADMISSIONS (For the Class of Fall 2009)

Pre-Pharmacy Coursework

General Policies

Course Requirements: All pre-pharmacy coursework must be completed with a grade of "C" or better ("C-" or below is not acceptable) at a college or university that is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges or one of its affiliates. Colorado Transfer Guides are available on our website.
Transcript Evaluation: All transcripts must be submitted to PharmCAS regardless of age of courses or transferability. The admissions committee considers an average all course work completed and derives a cumulative grade point average from all colleges and universities attended. Failure to reveal all transcripts will result in disqualifying your application.
Seven-Year Policy: Since the pre-pharmacy curriculum is essential in the preparation for pharmacy school, calculus and pre-pharmacy science courses taken more than seven years prior to the fall semester admission is desired must be retaken for a grade unless the applicant's subsequent academic or work experiences relate directly to the coursework. Request for a waiver of this policy must be submitted in writing; all requests will be handled on an individual basis.
Advanced Placement Credit: Advanced placement credit is based on the College Entrance Examination Board's Advanced Placement tests. For students who have taken an Advanced Placement examination in high school or college and who attain scores meeting the University of Colorado's standards, advanced placement, as well as college credit, may be granted. This credit will be treated as transfer credit without a grade. If your college transcript does not show the credit or the type of credit earned, you will need to request a copy of your test scores to be sent directly to our office.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP): We do not accept CLEP exams in lieu of the pre- pharmacy course work.
Pre-Pharmacy Sample Course Plan: If you are just beginning the process of completing your pre-pharmacy courses, this link will take to you a two-year course of action to complete the pre-pharmacy requirements.

Science and Math Requirements (Seven-Year Policy applies):

General Chemistry I & II with laboratories (8 semester credits) One beginning course and a continuation course for science majors and pre-health students. Topics should include chemical structure, atomic and molecular properties and thermodynamics. Laboratories will include experiments associated with the lecture and provide experience in observing, recording and interpreting physical and chemical phenomena.
Organic Chemistry I & II with laboratories (8 semester credits)
Lecture courses designed as an introduction and continuation to the study of structure, reactions, properties, and mechanisms of organic molecules. Laboratories that are taken concurrently will illustrate the practical aspects of organic chemistry.
General Biology I & II with laboratories (8 semester credits)
The two semesters should cover the following: the chemistry of biological systems, the structure and function of the cell, cellular energy transformation, genetics, evolution, animal structure and function, plant structure and function and ecology. The laboratories should introduce the basic scientific approach and report preparation through exercises and experiments in cell biology, molecular genetics, evolution, plant and animal anatomy and microanatomy. Courses in botany and zoology with laboratories may be considered as a substitute for general biology or one semester of general biology followed by one semester of botany or zoology. Anatomy and physiology will not be accepted as general biology.
Microbiology with laboratory (4 semester credits)
A survey of distinguishing characteristics of microorganisms based on structural-functional relationships, taxonomy, growth and physical chemical metabolism and genetics. This should include an emphasis on infectious diseases, basic immunology and microbial ecology. Molecular or cellular biology courses will not be allowed as a substitute for microbiology.
Biochemistry I (3 semester credits) An introduction to the chemistry of biological compounds. A systematic study of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, and their components is presented. Metabolism of biological compounds is studied as are the interrelations among the carbon, nitrogen, and energy cycles.
Human Anatomy w/laboratories (4 semester credits), Human Physiology with laboratories (4 semester credits), or Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with laboratories (8 semester credits)
An introduction to basic human anatomy and physiology, including the structures of the human anatomical system and the physiology of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, immune, endocrine and reproductive systems.
General Physics (3 semester credits)
Algebra or calculus based physics, including study of mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, light and modern physics.
Calculus (3 semester credits)
An introductory course to differential and integral calculus, including applications of the derivative and the definite integral. Analytic geometry and calculus is preferred.

Additional Course Requirements:

English Composition or Expository Writing (6 semester credits)
Courses focusing on the abilities and skills needed to write effective expository prose. Emphasis is on planning, writing and revising short and long essays and research papers. Writing intensive courses (designated as such by the institution) will be reviewed on an individual basis; course descriptions and/or syllabi will be required. ESL and Literature courses will not be accepted.
Public Speaking (3 semester credits)
The theory and practice of developing ideas, supporting materials, organization, style, delivery and audience adaptation. Waivers will not be granted based on life or work experience.
Humanities/Social Science (9 semester credits)
Some examples are: psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, or history, humanities, literature, comparative literature, philosophy and art history.   
Microeconomics (3 semester credits)
The study of fundamental microeconomic principles. (Macroeconomics or principles of economics courses are also accepted).
General Education (22 semester credits)
Other college level courses in science, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, language, business, etc. are considered in fulfilling general education credit. Vocational and developmental courses will not be accepted.

Sample Course Plan for Pre-Pharmacy Courses:

Suggested Course Sequence
Applicants the CU School of Pharmacy must complete the pre-requisites before they are able to enroll in the program. There are no exceptions to this policy. In many cases, applicants can be admitted while they are completing the course work in the spring semester but the number of courses in progress may affect the decision of the admissions committee should there not be sufficient course work to evaluate.
A prior degree does not exempt applicants from completing the pre-requisite course work. Courses completed at foreign institutions must be evaluated by a professional evaluation service and acceptability of course work will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The following table is a suggested course plan for the minimum number of semester credit hours.

Last updated: 6/16/08