The specific courses required by pharmacy schools and programs varies to some degree.
Students are encouraged to go to the websites of the schools on which they are interested to obtain a detailed list of the programs’ required courses. The following courses are required by most pharmacy schools and programs:
- General Biology (2 semesters with lab): Biology 121 & Biol 132 – or – Biology 125 & 126.
- General Chemistry (2 semesters with lab): Chemistry 111 & 112.
- Organic Chemistry (2 semesters with lab): Chemistry 211 & 212.
- College Physics I (with lab): Physics 101 or Physics 105. Some schools also require College Physics II.
- Human Anatomy (BIOL 384)
- Human Physiology (BIOL 413)
- Microbiology (BIOL 371)
- Calculus I (MATH 121)
- Introductory Statistics. STAT 180, BIOL 260 and PSYC 261 fulfill this statistics requirement.
- Some schools also require Biochemistry (3 credits): Chemistry 317 (Biochem I)
The 3 + 4 Accelerated Pharmacy Program at the Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy for UMW Students
The 3+4 Accelerated Program offers highly motivated undergraduate students a fast track to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in seven, rather than eight, years of study.
What are the advantages of the 3+4 Program?
The 3+4 Program provides a fast track to a career in pharmacy, allowing you to join the profession one year earlier. After three years of undergraduate study, you do not return to the undergraduate college for a senior year; rather, you enter Bernard J Dunn School of Pharmacy as a full-time, first year pharmacy student. The program will save you one year’s worth of tuition and time.
How does it work?
UMW students must finish major* and general education requirements by the end of the third year, and make a formal timely application to SU’s BJD School of Pharmacy (including GRE scores and volunteer hours). Accepted students spend their fourth year at SU as a first year pharmacy student. The UMW undergraduate degree would be awarded from UMW following successful completion of the first year at SU BJD School of Pharmacy. Enrolling in the 3-4 program does not guarantee entrance nor lock one into going to SU’s School of Pharmacy.
*Biology majors may use the first year at BJD School of Pharmacy to complete 8 elective credits in the Biology major.
For additional information on program requirements, please contact the UMW Pre-Health Advisor, Professor Deborah O’Dell dodell@umw.edu.