Pre-Pharmacy Studies

WHAT IS 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: Pharmacuetical Sciences, Pharmacology
EDUCATION LEVEL: DOCTORATE DEGREE (PharmD)
TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE PRE-PHARMACY STUDENT:
- GPA: 3.3-3.5 (strong science GPA)
- PCAT: >50%
- Pharmacy/Healthcare Experience, strong communication skills, volunteering, strong essays and letters of recommendation, research
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RESOURCES & UPCOMING EVENTS:
Visit the Special Programs and FAQ page
- UH - College of Pharmacy PharmCAS & Supplemental Application Webinar
- UH - College of Pharmacy Admission Counseling Appointments
- Whether you are applying for Fall 2020 or later, you can send questions regarding transcript evaluations, PharmCAS, UHCOP Supplemental application or other admissions related questions to PharmDInfo@uh.edu. To schedule an appointment, click the title link.
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UNT Advising Sessions
We are currently offering daily online advising. Students can also schedule a one-on-one at: https://www.unthsc.edu/college-of-pharmacy/virtual-admissions-counseling/
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UPDATES ON COVID-19
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NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
UTA PRE-HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Pre-Pharmacy Association
- Starting Friday, September 18th (Bi-Weekly) @ 12p-1p - General Body Meetings
- September 18th - Texas Tech Speaker
- Pre-Pharmacy Google Calendar
- Connect with us on Discord for announcements, questions, casual convo, and online socials!
- Helpful slides! - provided by the Pre-Pharmacy Association!
- Starting Friday, September 18th (Bi-Weekly) @ 12p-1p - General Body Meetings
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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 prerequisites for Pharmacy Programs can vary per school. 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 UNT. The courses must be for science majors. Students should visit the specific schools admission website for complete requirements. The average GPA of accepted students is 3.4-3.7. Competitive students interested in early admission should research UNT's Early Assurance Program.
Math and Science Requirements |
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Course Name |
UTA Course Number |
Minimum SCH |
BIOL 1441 |
4 |
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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. |
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BIOL 1442 |
4 |
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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. |
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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. |
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Laboratory techniques in general microbiology. Survey of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and algae. Culture, staining and identification of bacteria. |
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BIOL 2457 or BIOL 3446 |
4 |
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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. |
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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 |
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CHEM 1411 |
4 |
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Fundamental concepts, states of matter, periodic table, structure and bonding, stoichiometry, oxidation and reduction, solutions, and compounds of representative elements. |
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Laboratory techniques, weighing, errors and significant figures, identification and purification of substances, and elementary quantitative analysis. |
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CHEM 1442 |
3 |
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Thermodynamics, reaction rates, equilibrium, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, polymers, radioactivity and nuclear reactions. |
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Quantitative, gravimetric and volumetric analyses; coordination compounds. |
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CHEM 2321 |
3 |
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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. |
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CHEM 2181 |
1 |
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Separations and Synthesis. Organic preparations; techniques of recrystallization, distillation, solvent extraction, separation of mixtures, chromatography and spectroscopic methods. |
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CHEM 2322 |
3 |
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Nucleophilic and electrophilic reaction mechanisms; molecular rearrangements; radical reactions; organic synthesis; absorption spectra of organic compounds of biological interest. |
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CHEM 2182 |
1 |
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Synthesis and Analysis. Organic syntheses and systematic identification of unknown organic compounds utilizing classical “wet” and spectroscopic analytical methods. |
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PHYS 1441 |
4 |
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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. |
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MATH 1426 |
3 or 4 |
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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. |
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Statistics |
MATH 1308 |
3 |
Descriptive statistics, elementary probability, estimation, hypothesis testing and small samples. Elementary Probability Statistics or Elementary Statistical Methods preferred. |
Course Name |
UTA Course |
Minimum SCH |
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English I – College Writing I¹ |
ENGL 1301 |
3 |
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Writing as a means of ordering and shaping experience, information and ideas. Emphasis on perfecting texts through several drafts |
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English II – College Writing II¹ |
ENGL 1302 |
3 |
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Writing in response to reading and research. Emphasis on perfecting texts through several drafts. |
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Literature ¹ (Traditional) |
(see academic advisor at your institution) |
3 |
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Survey courses will not be accepted. |
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U.S. History I – U.S. History to 1865¹ |
HIST 1301 |
3 |
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From colonial origins through the Civil War. |
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U.S. History II – U.S. History since 1865¹ |
HIST 1302 |
3 |
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From the Civil War to the present. |
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Political Science (U.S. Government)¹ |
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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 |
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Fine Arts & Humanities elective ¹ |
(see academic advisor at your institution) |
3 |
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Social & Behavioral Science elective ¹ |
(see academic advisor at your institution) |
3 |
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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. |
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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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PHARMACY SCHOOLS - Admissions
- University of the Incarnate Word – Feik School of Pharmacy - San Antonio (PRIVATE)
- Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy - Kingsville
- Texas Southern University – College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Houston
- Texas Tech Health Sciences Center – School of Pharmacy - Dallas/Lubbock
- University of Houston - College of Pharmacy
- UT Austin - College of Pharmacy
- UT Tyler – Fisch College of Pharmacy
- UNT Health Science Center – College of Pharmacy – Fort Worth
- Early Assurance - PharmDirect Program (Must meet certain requirements for automatic admission into UNT's Pharmcy Program the following year)
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APPLYING & APPLICATION SERVICE
Most students apply to pharmacy school in their senior year summer/fall. This can vary per student as students may not complete their degree prior to entry. The majority of students do complete a degree. Students should become familiar with the PharmCAS Application system.
GPA Calculators:
- Med School HQ
- CASPA Calculator - downloadable excel sheet for ALL pre-health students
- PharmCAS - Pharmacy College Application Service
- COST: $175 for 1 school ($55 for each additional)
- FEE WAIVERS: limited waivers are offered at the beginning of each cycle
- Application Cycle: 7/14/20 - deadlines vary (Pharmacy Schools Application Deadlines)
- (NOTE: Current cycle still open for some schools)
- PharmCAS Checklist
- PharmCAS - Application Instructions
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ADMISSION TEST - PHARMACY COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (PCAT)
- QUESTIONS: 192 Multiple Choice & 1 Writing Prompt - 220 minutes
- SCORE: 200-600 for multiple choice, 1-6 for Writing (Composite Score = Average of all sections as % rank)
- SECTIONS: Biological Processes, Chemical Processes, Critical Reading, Quantitative Reasoning, and Writing
- COMPETITIVE SCORE: >70%
- COST: $210
- IDEAL time to TAKE: July-December of application year (Verify with school's deadlines)
- Register at: PearsonVue-PCAT
PCAT RESOURCES & GUIDES
- 2020-21 PCAT TESTING DATES
- PCAT Candidate Informational Booklet
- PCAT Blueprint & Samples
- PCAT Tests & Study Resource Costs
PCAT TEST PREP
- Official PCAT Practice Tests & Study Guide
- KAPLAN PCAT Prep
- PCAT Practice Tests (FREE)
- CrackPCAT
- Mometrix FAQ, Study Guide, and Flashcards
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