While USD does not have a pharmacy school or specific major, students are encouraged to choose a major that offers the following courses:
Typical* required courses
- General Biology – Bio 240, Bio 240L, Bio 242, Bio 242L (1 year)
- General Chemistry – Chem 151, Chem 151L, Chem 152, Chem 152L (1 year)
- Organic Chemistry – Chem 301, Chem 301L , Chem 302, Chem 302L (1 year)
- English USD Core Requirement – FYW 150, Upper Division Writing course (1 year)
- Calculus – Math 150 (1 semester)
- Economics – Econ 101 (1 semester)
*These courses will satisfy the requirements for most pharmacy schools. Make sure that you check for additional requirements at your selected schools. Most schools want you to have completed the required courses prior to the time of application. Take all required classes for a grade; pass/fail is not acceptable. Grades below a "C" are not considered passing for most medical schools. Also, note that some schools will not accept AP credit in lieu of the required courses (even if accepted by USD). You must then substitute advanced science courses for the traditional requirements satisfied with AP credits.
Some schools recommend
- Calculus 2 – Math 151
- Statistics – Psych 260, Math 120 or Biostatistics
- General Physics – Phys 136, Phys 136L, Phys 137, Phys 137 L or Phys 270, 270L, 272, 272L (1 year)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology – Bio 212, 213
- Psychology – Psych 101
- Communication – Comm 203
- Microbiology – Bio 342 or Bio 214
- Biochemistry – Chem 331
Other application information
- PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test) Most California schools do not require the PCAT but many schools outside of California do.
- Clinical: Experiences in pharmacy and/or healthcare settings are important ways for you to learn about the field of pharmacy and are required by most schools. Some schools also recommend letters of recommendation from a pharmacist.
- Research: Research experiences are strongly recommended by many pharmacy schools. Choose any type of research that interests you — on or off campus — paid or unpaid.
- Community Service/Leadership: There are many opportunities on and off campus to become involved. It's always best to find something that you're very interested in and become involved.
Pharmacy careers
Pharmacy schools require 65-70 hours of courses prior to professional school. Requirements for pharmacy schools vary, so consultation with the pre-health advisor is recommended. Pharmacy school graduates can work in a number of different environments, including pharmacies, research laboratories and hospitals.
Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs to individuals. They also advise their patients, physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medications, as well as monitor the health and progress of those patients to ensure that they are using their medications safely and effectively. Compounding—the actual mixing of ingredients to form medications—is a small part of a pharmacist's practice, because most medicines are produced by pharmaceutical companies in standard dosages and drug delivery forms. Most pharmacists work in a community setting, such as a retail drugstore or in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital.
Pharmacists in community pharmacies dispense medications, counsel patients on the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications and advise physicians about medication therapy. They also advise patients about general health topics, such as diet, exercise and stress management and provide information on products, such as durable medical equipment or home healthcare supplies. In addition, they often complete third-party insurance forms and other paperwork.
Those who own or manage community pharmacies may sell non-health-related merchandise, hire and supervise personnel and oversee the general operation of the pharmacy. Some community pharmacists provide specialized services to help patients with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation or high blood pressure. Some pharmacists are trained to administer vaccinations.
Pharmacists in healthcare facilities dispense medications and advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs. They may make sterile solutions to be administered intravenously. They also plan, monitor and evaluate drug programs or regimens. They may counsel hospitalized patients on the use of drugs before the patients are discharged.
Some pharmacists specialize in specific drug therapy areas, such as intravenous nutrition support, oncology (cancer), nuclear pharmacy (used for chemotherapy), geriatric pharmacy and psychiatric pharmacy (the use of drugs to treat mental disorders).
Most pharmacists keep confidential computerized records of patients' drug therapies to prevent harmful drug interactions. Pharmacists are responsible for the accuracy of every prescription that is filled, but they often rely upon pharmacy technicians to assist them in the dispensing medications. Thus, the pharmacist may delegate prescription-filling and administrative tasks and supervise their completion. Pharmacists also frequently oversee pharmacy students serving as interns.
Some pharmacists are involved in research for pharmaceutical manufacturers, developing new drugs and testing their effects. Others work in marketing or sales, providing clients with expertise on the use, effectiveness and possible side effects of drugs. Some pharmacists work for health insurance companies, developing pharmacy benefit packages and carrying out cost-benefit analyses on certain drugs. Other pharmacists work for the government, managed care organizations, public healthcare services or the armed services. Finally, some pharmacists are employed full time or part time as college faculty, teaching classes and performing research in a wide range of areas.
Related career titles
Questions?
For more pre-health advising information, contact:
Cassandra Gomez, MPH
Director, Pre-Health Advising
Founders Hall, Room 117
cagomez@sandiego.edu