Pre-Health: Pharmacy Preparation

did you know?
  • Pharmacists work in a variety of settings: community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, government agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry.  
  • Education typically takes 4 years to complete. An additional one-year residency is optional.
  • Certified PharmD Programs in the state of Oregon: Oregon State University (4-year program) and Pacific University (3-year program). Connect with a Pre-Health Advisor to learn more about UO-Pacific University PharmD Bridge Program! 
Pharmacy School Application Preparation 
  • Completing the prerequisite courses is just one aspect of the process. You must also have a well-rounded application consisting of experience (i.e. shadowing, volunteer work, undergraduate research, life experience), letters of recommendation, and a strong admissions essay. 
  • The PCAT is no longer required for admissions as it has been discontinued. 
  • While a bachelor’s degree is not an admission prerequisite for all pharmacy schools, it does provide a significant competitive advantage.  
  • Applying to pharmacy school is a year-long process. Students applying in their final year at UO will have a gap year before starting pharmacy school. Students can work, take courses, travel, etc. during the year. Keep in mind, the average age of a first-year pharmacy student is 25.  
Common Requirements:
General Chemistry with Labs (1 year) 
General Biology with Labs (1 year) 
Organic Chemistry with Labs (1 year) 
Anatomy and Physiology (1 year) 
Calculus I (1 quarter) 
Statistics (1 quarter)
 
Physics with Lab (1 quarter) 
Biochemistry (1 quarter) 
Microbiology Lecture (1 quarter) 
Micro or Macro Economics (1 quarter) 
Speech or Communications (1 quarter) 
Intro to Psychology (1 quarter)

PharmD programs accept prerequisites from University or Community College. Lane Community College offers all of the above common prerequisites (except for biochemistry). Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to discuss dual enrollment.

Sample 4-Year Plan

The chart below illustrates one way a pharmacy program’s prerequisitesi can fit into a 4-year plan. Keep in mind a graduation plan is as unique as the student following it. Math placement, major, transfer credits, application timeline, and other factors will help shape your graduation plan and timeline. Pre-Health Advisors are here to help you create a graduation plan that works best for you!

Click here to watch the Pharmacy Prerequisite Overview Video. 

 

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

CH 221: General Chem I

CH 222:  General Chem II

CH 223:  General Chem III 

YEAR ONE

CH 227:  General Chem Lab

CH 228: General Chem Lab

CH 229: General Chem Lab

 

MATH 112Z: Precalculus II

MATH 251: Calculus I 

STAT 243Z: Elementary Statistics

 

 

 

 

 

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

CH 331: Organic Chem I

CH 335: Organic Chem II

CH 336: Organic Chem III

YEAR TWO

CH 337: Organic Chem Lab

CH 338: Organic Chem Lab

BI 214: Gen Bio IV - Biochem

 

BI 211: Gen Bio I - Cells

BI 212: Gen Bio II - Organisms 

HPHY 212: Scientific Investigation Physiology i

  

HPHY 211: Medical Terminology i

 
 

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

HPHY 321: Anatomy I

HPHY 323: Anatomy II

HPHY 325: A&P III 

YEAR THREE

HPHY 322: Physiology I

HPHY 324: Physiology II

ENG 200: Public Speaking ii

    
 

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

CH 360: Biochemistry

EC 201: microeconomics (SS) or ECON 202: Macroeconomics (SS)

BI 330: Microbiology

YEAR FOUR

PHYS 201: General Physics 

PSY 201: Intro to PSY I or PYS 202: Intro to PSY II (SS) ii

 
 

PHYS 204: General Physics Lab ii

  

i These courses are prerequisites for UO’s anatomy & physiology sequence. They are not typically prerequisites for pharmacy school.

ii These courses are admission requirements for Pacific University’s PharmD program, but may not be required at others. 


Note: This page lists all the common prerequisites for programs. Research programs to identify additional courses you may need to take by visiting the PharmCAS website. Work with your pre-health advisors for any alternate course options.

Questions? Email pre-health advisors at prehealthadvising@uoregon.edu.