Pre-Pharmacy Studies

A CAREER AS A PHARMACIST?

A pharmacist is a medication expert that enhances patient care and promotes wellness. They can prepare and dispense medications, prevent harmful drug interactions, conduct wellness screenings, provide immunizations, and counsel patients of safe use of their medications. Physicians and other healthcare providers often rely on the pharmacist to select the best medication for specific patients. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings and participate in rounds at the hospital. They can also conduct research and clinical trials. Visit Pharmacy is Right for Me for more information. 

PHARMACY RELATED RESEARCH FIELDS (MS or PhD): Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology

EDUCATION LEVEL: Doctorate (PharmD)

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CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPETITIVE PRE-PHARMACY STUDENT

  • GPA: >3.4 and/or positive GPA trend, especially in the sciences
  • PCAT: >50% (if required by program)
  • EXPERIENCES
    • Pharmacy/healthcare experience (hours vary)
    • Community Service (hours vary)
  • PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: strong communication & interpersonal skills, professionalism, maturity, problem-solving, cultural competence

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START LEARNING BY CONNECTING

Visit the Special Programs and FAQ page 

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NATIONAL ORGANIZATION

UTA PRE-HEALTH STUDENT ORGANIZATION

  • Pre-Pharmacy Association (Starting Fall 2024!)

    • Helpful slides - provided by the Pre-Pharmacy Association
    • Upcoming meetings - Thursdays 12:30-1:30p
      •  9/5: Expanding Opportunities in Pharmacy, M. Jann, Pharm.D.
      • 9/19: Pharmacy Career Day, Faculty Panel, UNTHSC
      • 10/3: Pharmacy Student Perspectives and Pharm Tech Process, Mr. Vinh Fossell
      • 10/31: Admissions Process and PharmCAS, UNTHSC College of Pharmacy Admissions
      • 11/14: Professionalism Workshop-Interviewing Skills, Community Service, and Other Aspects

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RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCES

  • Pharmacy Technician Trainee
    • In the state of Texas, you are required to be a registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to work in a pharmacy. See how you can become a trainee here. Students may pursue becoming a certified technician after meeting certain requirements and passing the PTCB or ExCPT exam. 
  • Shadowing pharmacists
  • Volunteering
  • Research

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PREREQUISITES

The requirements can vary per pharmacy program, so it is very important to research all programs you are interested in early! While it is highly recommended students complete their bachelor's degree before entering pharmacy school, most programs do not require it. The best option for you will depend on the strength of your application and preparedness for pharmacy school. The courses listed below are typical requirements for most programs but specifically are for UNTHSC College of Pharmacy. The courses must be for science majors. Students should visit the specific school's admission website for complete requirements (see rest of this page).  

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

  • Some pharmacy schools accept international credit as long as the credit has been evaluated by WES. Contact specific programs for more information. For more information for admissions to UNTHSC with foreign credit, please email admissions@unthsc.edu. 

EARLY ADMISSION PROGRAMS: 

 

UNTHSC College of Pharmacy - Prerequisites 

Math and Science Requirements

Course Name

UTA Course Number

Minimum SCH

Biology for Science Majors I w/LAB

BIOL1441

4

An integrated approach to cell and molecular biology with an emphasis on biological chemistry, cell structure and function, Mendelian and molecular genetics, evolutionary biology. Core Category: Natural Sciences.

Biology for Science Majors II

BIOL 1442

4

An integrated approach to the anatomical, physiological and functional aspects of nutrition, gas exchange, transport, reproduction, development, regulation, response and ecology of microorganisms, plants and animals.

Microbiology(for science majors) w/LAB

BIOL 2444 (3444 prior to F20)

4

Survey of the microbial world; classification, ecology, morphology and physiology of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms.

Laboratory techniques in general microbiology. Survey of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and algae. Culture, staining and identification of bacteria.

Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/LAB

BIOL 2457 or BIOL 3446 & 3442

4

Functional anatomy and physiology of the human body including biological chemistry, cell morphology, membrane and tissue physiology, musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. (a stand-alone Anatomy course will be accepted. A stand-alone Physiology course will NOT be accepted. A&P II will not be accepted) Laboratory studies examining the functional anatomy and physiology of the human body including cell morphology, tissue histology, musculoskeletal anatomy and nervous system anatomy.

Genetics* (for science majors)

BIOL 3315

3

Genetic structure and inheritance in viruses, bacteria and higher organisms with emphasis on gene biochemistry, Mendelian genetics and population genetics. ∗Will accept Molecular Biology or Biochemistry in lieu of Genetics (Note: UTA currently does not offer Molecular Biology) 

General Chemistry I for Science Majors w/LAB

CHEM 1441

4

Fundamental concepts, states of matter, periodic table, structure and bonding, stoichiometry, oxidation and reduction, solutions, and compounds of representative elements.

Laboratory techniques, weighing, errors and significant figures, identification and purification of substances, and elementary quantitative analysis.

General Chemistry II for Science Majors w/LAB

CHEM 1442

3

Thermodynamics, reaction rates, equilibrium, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, polymers, radioactivity and nuclear reactions.

Quantitative, gravimetric and volumetric analyses; coordination compounds.

Organic Chemistry I

CHEM 2321

3

Structure, nomenclature, occurrence and uses of main classes of organic compounds; functional groups and their interconversion; character of chemical bonding; stereochemistry; structure and reactivity; acid/base reactions, resonance, inductive and steric effects; reaction mechanisms.

Organic Chemistry I Lab

CHEM 2181

1

Separations and Synthesis. Organic preparations; techniques of recrystallization, distillation, solvent extraction, separation of mixtures, chromatography and spectroscopic methods.

Organic Chemistry II

CHEM2322
(Lecture & Lab CHEM 2425)

3

Nucleophilic and electrophilic reaction mechanisms; molecular rearrangements; radical reactions; organic synthesis; absorption spectra of organic compounds of biological interest.

Organic Chemistry II Lab

CHEM 2182

1

Synthesis and Analysis. Organic syntheses and systematic identification of unknown organic compounds utilizing classical “wet” and spectroscopic analytical methods.

General Physics I w/LAB

PHYS 1441

4

Principles and applications of mechanics, sound and heat. Non-calculus based physics sequence suitable for life sciences majors and preprofessional students. Proficiency in Algebra and trigonometry required. Lab required.

Calculus

MATH 1426

3 or 4

Limits and continuity, derivatives and integrals; differentiation and integration of polynomial, rational, trigonometric, and algebraic functions; applications, including slope, velocity, extrema, area, volume and work. Pre-Calculus will not be accepted in lieu of Calculus.

Statistics

MATH 1308

3

Descriptive statistics, elementary probability, estimation, hypothesis testing and small samples. Elementary Probability Statistics or Elementary Statistical Methods preferred.

 

General Education Requirements ¹

Course Name

UTA Course

Minimum SCH

English I – College Writing I¹

ENGL 1301

3

Writing as a means of ordering and shaping experience, information and ideas. Emphasis on perfecting texts through several drafts

English II – College Writing II¹

ENGL 1302

3

Writing in response to reading and research. Emphasis on perfecting texts through several drafts.

Literature ¹(Traditional)

(see academic advisor at your institution)

3

Survey courses will not be accepted.

U.S. History I – U.S. History to 1865¹

HIST 1301

3

From colonial origins through the Civil War.

U.S. History II – U.S. History since 1865¹

HIST 1302

3

From the Civil War to the present.

Political Science (U.S. Government)¹

 

POLS 2311

3

Explores the connection between the will of the people and the policies implemented by government by focusing on individual political values and attitudes, the mechanisms that connect individual beliefs to government action (parties, interest groups, the media, and elections), and the outcomes of government policy. Depending on your institution other Political Science options may include (3) credit hours in any of the following: U.S. Government, U.S. Constitution, American Government

Fine Arts & Humanities elective ¹

(see academic advisor at your institution)

3

Social & Behavioral Science elective ¹

(see academic advisor at your institution)

3

Social science is a major category of academic disciplines, concerned with society and the relationships among individuals within a society. It in turn has many branches, each of which is considered a “social science”. Social sciences include economics, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Work with your academic advisor at your institution.

Public Speaking¹

(see academic advisor at your institution)

3

SCH= Semester Credit Hours
TCCNS = Texas Common Course Numbering System www.tccns.org
¹ Exempt if the applicant has (or will complete by May) a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college 

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RESEARCHING PROGRAMS - ADMISSIONS

TEXAS PHARMACY SCHOOLS

ALL PHARMCACY SCHOOLS

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HOW & WHEN TO APPLY

If wanting to start pharmacy school right after graduating, students will need to apply during the summer/fall of senior year. When a student applies can vary as it depends on multiple factors. Most pharmacy programs do not required a completed Bachelor's degree however, the majority of accepted students do complete a degree. PharmCAS is the system used to apply to all US Pharmacy Programs. Resources and important dates can be found below. 

GPA Calculators: 

TEXAS PROGRAMS & DEADLINES

Institution Name Program Program Location Public or Private Priority Deadline Final Deadline Program Structure
Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy Kingsville, TX Public 1-Oct-24 3-Feb-25 4 years
Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Houston, TX Public 1-Oct-24 2-Jun-25 4 years
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, or Lubbock, TX Public 1-Oct-24 2-Jun-25 4 years
The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy Austin, TX Public 1-Oct-24 3-Feb-25 4 years
The University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy El Paso, TX Public None 1-May-25 4 years
The University of Texas at Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy Tyler, TX Public 2-Dec-24 1-May-25 4 years
University of Houston College of Pharmacy Houston, TX Public 1-Oct-24 1-May-25 4 years
University of North Texas Health Science Center System College of Pharmacy Fort Worth, TX Public 2-Dec-24 1-Apr-25 4 years
University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy San Antonio, TX Private 1-Oct-24 3-Feb-25 4 years

 

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ADMISSION TEST - PHARMACY COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (PCAT)*

*Note-PCAT RETIRED in 2024