Pharmacy School Academic Preparation
Pharmacy School Academic Preparation (PDF)
These courses meet the requirements for most pharmacy schools and for preparation for the PCAT. Pharmacy schools generally do not accept AP credit or on-line courses for these required courses. Be sure to check each pharmacy school’s requirements.
No pharmacy school requires a science major, nor are science majors given extra consideration in the admission process. Becoming a competitive pharmacy school applicant also requires more than a solid GPA and PCAT score. Be sure you are meeting regularly with your HPAO advisor.
One year General Chemistry with Labs
CHEM 200 General Chemistry
Prerequisites: Knowledge of introductory chemistry as demonstrated by completion of CHEM 100 with a grade of C or better, or satisfaction of the Entry-Level Mathematics requirement and qualification on the Chemistry Department Placement Examination.
CHEM 201 General Chemistry
Prerequisite: CHEM 200 or 202 with grade of C or better
One year of Organic Chemistry with Labs
CHEM 232/232L Organic Chemistry
Prerequisite: CHEM 201 with grade of C or better and credit or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 232L
CHEM 432/432L Organic Chemistry
Prerequisite: CHEM 232 with a grade of C or better and credit or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 432L
One year of Biology with Labs
BIOL 203/203L Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology
Prerequisite: Credit/ concurrent registration in CHEM 200 or 202 and satisfaction of the English placement test requirement
BIOL 204/204L Principles of Organismal Biology
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the English placement test requirement. Recommended completion of BIOL 203/203L
One year of Physics with Labs
PHYS 180A/182A Fundamentals of Physics I/Lab
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the Entry-level Mathematics requirement. Recommended concurrent registration in PHYS 182A
PHYS 180B/182B Fundamentals of Physics II/Lab
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the Entry-level Mathematics requirement, PHYS 180A. Recommended concurrent registration in PHYS 182B
OR
PHYS 195/195L Principles of Physics/Lab
Prerequisites: High school physics or PHYS 180A. MATH 150 with a minimum grade of C
PHYS 196/196L Principles of Physics/Lab
Prerequisites: PHYS 195. MATH 151
One semester of Mathematics (One year required by some schools)
MATH 124 Calculus for Life Sciences
Prerequisite: Knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry as demonstrated by either (1) satisfactory completions of MATH 141 with a grade of C (2.0) or above; or (2) satisfaction of the Entry-Level Mathematics requirement and qualification on the Mathematics Departmental Precalculus Proficiency Examination. Proof of completion of prerequisites required
OR
MATH 150 Calculus I
Prerequisite: Knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry as demonstrated by either (1) satisfactory completions of MATH 141 with a grade of C (2.0) or above; or (2) satisfaction of the Entry-Level Mathematics requirement and qualification on the Mathematics Departmental Precalculus Proficiency Examination. Proof of completion of prerequisites required
One semester of Statistics
STAT 250 Statistical Principles and Practices*
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the Entry-level Mathematics requirement
OR
BIOL 215 Biostatistics*
Prerequisites: Credit or concurrent registration in BIOL 203, 203L, or 204, 204L and MATH 122, 124, 141, or 150
*Other statistics courses may also meet this requirement. Check with HPAO.
One year of English
RWS 100 College Composition*
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the SDSU writing competency requirement
RWS 200 Intermediate Composition*
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the SDSU writing competency requirement and RWS 100 or equivalent
*Other composition courses may also meet this requirement for some pharmacy schools. Check with HPAO.
One semester of Public Speaking
COMM 103 Oral Communication
OR
COMM 160 Argumentation
One semester of Anatomy
BIOL 212 Human Anatomy
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in Biology 100, 203, or 211.
One semester of Physiology
BIOL 336 Principles of Human Physiology
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations of Learning II.A.2. Life Sciences. If a biological sciences course is not taken to satisfy General Education II.A.2. Life Sciences, a college course in biological sciences is required.
One semester of Economics
ECON 101 Principles of Economics (Macroeconomics)*
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the Entry-level Mathematics requirement
OR
ECON 102 Principles of Economics (Microeconomics)*
Prerequisite: Satisfaction of the Entry-level Mathematics requirement
*The requirement of Macroeconomics or Microeconomics varies by school
Courses required by some schools (Be sure to check pre-requisites)
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
CHEM 365 Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology
Prerequisites: BIOL 203, 203L and CHEM 232, 232L
MATH 151* Calculus II
Prerequisites: Mathematics 150 with minimum grade of C (2.0). Proof of completion of prerequisite required. (*Required for UCSD School of Pharmacy.)
