Pre-Pharmacy Requirements.

 

Applicants who are planning to apply to a pharmacy program must be aware of the requirements of the school to which they plan to transfer. Most pharmacy programs require the minimum of 63 pre-pharmacy course work prior to admission to a Pharm. D. program.  Applicant must be able to present evidence to the pharmacy school (via official transcripts) that they want admission to, of having completed the courses with alt least a “C”, or being able to complete these courses before fall semester begins. The Prerequisites for the Pharm.D. Program at the University of Maryland are:

 

                                     

Course  CCBC Course  Semester  Credit Hours
English (Comp)                           ENGL 101 
1
3
English  (Lit)                                 ENGL 102
1
3
Pre-Calculus                                Math   165 
1
5
Calculus                                      Math   251 
1
4
Biology                                        BIOL   110
1
4
Microbiology                                BIOL   230 
1
4
General Chemistry                      CHEM 121-2 
1
4
General Chemistry II                   CHEM 123-4   
1
4
Organic Chemistry I                    CHEM 200-1
1
4
Organic Chemistry II                   CHEM 202-3 
1
4
Physics I                                        PHYS 101 
1
4
Physics II                                     PHYS 102 
1
4
Humanities/Social Sci.     
6
18
Total credits  
68

 

Note:  Most universities will only transfer 63 credits from Community Colleges.  So one or more of the required courses may have to be taken at a four -year college or university. At the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, more than 75% of the successful candidates enter with a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

 

In addition to taking the pre-pharmacy course requirements, candidates are also required to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Although the PCAT is given typically in October, January and April, applicants to the University of Maryland must take the October or January exams. For information about the PCAT exams cal the Psychological Corporation at 1-800-622-3231.  Applicants with strong PCAT and Academic credentials interview with the faculty, alumni, and students.  During interviews conducted at the School of pharmacy, factors such as professional and social awareness are assessed.  The admissions committee makes decision based on academic achievements, PCAT scores and interview results.  While a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (a= 4.0) is required for application consideration the average entering GPA for the fall of 2002 was 3.5. Average PCAT scores were above the 80th percentile in each of the five sections of the exam. About 115 students are admitted into the program each fall out of more than 550 applications.

 

International students:  Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U. S. must submit the results of the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 600, certified official copies of transcripts and other documents required by the Campus office of Records and Registration, such as statements pf financial support, supplementary information sheets and summaries of educational experiences.  International students are also required to take the PCAT exam. Therefore the Pharmacy School does not accept applicants who have attended only foreign educational institution.  Thus applicant must take at least one semester of pre-pharmacy course work at another accredited U. S. institution prior to applying to the Pharmacy School of the University of Maryland.

 

Further information about pre-pharmacy can be obtained from this website:

 

www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu <http://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu>

 

and

 

pharmdhelp@rx.umaryland.edu <mailto:pharmdhelp@rx.umaryland.edu>

 

another useful site for information about the pharmacy schools in the usa can be obtained by going to the following web address:

 

<http://www.fip.org/education/SoPSchoolsURLs.html>