Pre-Pharmacy

What is Pre-Pharmacy?

The four-year programs at Washington State University and University of Washington lead to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Western provides a series of courses which prepares students for application to the College of Pharmacy at either institution. Admission into a pharmacy program is highly selective and includes evaluation of GPA, letters of recommendation, and an interview. Students are encouraged to research the school of their choice for detailed information at http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/Pages/default.aspx.

Program Checkpoints:

Freshman year:

  • Take Math Placement test and begin appropriate math sequence to complete Calculus I: MATH 124.
  • Begin General Chemistry series as soon as possible: CHEM 121, 122, 123.
  • Begin General Biology series winter or spring quarter: BIOL 204, 205, 206.
  • Work on GURs, including ENG 101 and ECON 206.
  • Begin pre-requisite and co-requisite courses for possible major.

Sophomore year:

  • Meet with Pre-Healthcare Advisor to develop a plan of study.
  • Continue through Organic Chemistry series: CHEM 351, 352, 353, 354, & 355 (or 356 for non-Chem majors).
  • Take Genetics: BIOL 321 or 323.
  • Take Anatomy & Physiology: BIOL 348, 349 (or complete junior year).
  • Take a second English composition course: ENG 201 or 202.
  • Declare or apply for major.

Junior year:

  • Research careers and graduate schools.
  • Prepare for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) to be taken the summer after junior year.
  • Begin Biochemistry: CHEM 471, 472 or BIOL 471, 472 (or take these in senior year).
  • Take Microbiology with lab: BIOL 345 and 346 (or BIOL 245).
  • Take stats class: MATH 240 (or equivalent in major, if offered).
  • Take a third English composition course: ENG 301 or 302.
  • Take a communication course: COMM 327 or 331.
  • Begin primary application to Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).
  • Draft personal statement.
  • Request letters of recommendation from professors and professionals.

Senior year:

  • Prepare for possible pharmacy school interview with a mock interview (or do spring of junior year).
  • Complete major, GUR, WP and other graduation requirements.
  • Two quarters before graduation, meet with faculty advisor for major evaluation and apply for graduation.

Additionally:

  • Note: Advanced Placement is not generally recognized by professional schools as college-earned credit.
  • Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS): http://www.pharmcas.org
  • PCAT: http://www.pcatweb.info
  • American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP): http://www.aacp.org
  • Students should join the pre-pharmacy listserv by sending an e-mail message to Renee.Murray@wwu.edu with this information: subject: pre-pharm listserv, Last name, First name, student number.

Other Information about this Major:

Repeating Courses: is not viewed favorably by professional schools. An isolated case may be acceptable but may also require an explanation in application.

Declaring a Major: refer to the department of your chosen major for pre-requisites and GPA requirements for declaring.

Additional Resources:

Washington State University:

For information about the academic requirements of the PharmD program, application information and information about scholarships and financial aid, contact the PharmD Student Services Office. http://www.pharmacy.wsu.edu/

Teresa Woolverton, Admissions
PharmD Student Services Office
Washington State University
P.O. Box 646510
Pullman, WA 99164-6510
Phone: (509) 335-2356
Email: twool@wsu.edu

University of Washington:

http://sop.washington.edu

School of Pharmacy
University of Washington
Box 357631
H364 Health Science Building
Seattle WA 98195-7631
Phone: (206) 685-2715
Email: pharminf@uw.edu

Coursework

This list is intended to be a broad guideline, covering the requirements for entrance into most Pharmacy programs. Contact individual schools for additional requirements.

Non-Science Requirements:

Written Communication:

ENG 101 (5) and 201, 202, 301 or 302 (5, 5, 5, 5)

Interpersonal Communication:

COMM 327 or 331 (5, 3)

Microeconomics:

ECON 206 (4)

Introductory Psychology:

PSY 101 (5)

Philosophy—Logic, Critical Thinking, or Ethics:

PHIL 102, 112, 202 or 320 (3, 3, 4, 3)

Science Requirements:

Introductory Biology:

BIOL 204, 205, 206 (4, 5, 5)

Microbiology sequence:

BIOL 345, 346 (3, 2)

Genetics:

BIOL 321 or 323 (4, 4)

Anatomy and Physiology:

BIOL 348, 349 (5, 5)

General Chemistry sequence:

CHEM 121*, 122, 123 (5, 5, 4)

Organic Chemistry sequence;

CHEM 351, 352, 353, 354, 355 [or 356 for non-Chemistry majors] (4, 4, 3, 3, 3, [2])

Biochemistry:

CHEM 471, 472 (4, 4) OR BIOL 471, 472 (4, 4)

Calculus:

MATH 124 (5)

Statistics:

MATH 240 (4) or equivalent in major, if offered

*Completion of MATH 114 or Math Placement into 115 or higher is a pre-requisite for CHEM 121

Note: At WWU, General Chemistry (CHEM 121) is a pre-requisite to General Biology (BIOL 204). It is imperative that students begin Chemistry as early in their program as possible.
 

GURs:

The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.

ACOM: ENGL 101
BCOM: ENGL 202
QSR: MATH 124, 240
HUM: PHIL 112
SSC: ECON 206; PSY 101
LSCI: BIOL 204, 205, 206; CHEM 121, 122, 123

Department

Contact

Pre-Pharmacy Website:

www.careers.wwu.edu/prehealth.shtml

Pre-Health Advisors:

Dr. George Kriz
OM 280
360-650-3268
George.Kriz@wwu.edu

Renée Murray
OM 280
360-650-3268
Renee.Murray@wwu.edu