PRE-PHARMACY

Pharmacy schools and colleges offer the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program in various lengths and structures. Typically, Pharm.D. is a 4-year post-graduate program. However, a 3-year accelerated Pharm.D. program is now available in many Pharmacy schools and colleges. Some schools are also offering a fully online 3-year accelerated Pharm.D. program. Students do not need a bachelor’s degree to enter the Pharm.D. program. Students can start the professional phase of the Pharm.D. curriculum in a pharmacy school after they have completed all pre-pharmacy coursework.

Hilbert students interested in a career in Pharm.D. have two options. They can complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in any major together with completing all pre-pharmacy coursework before applying. Alternately, they can apply through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) during their sophomore/junior year, provided that all pre-pharmacy coursework has been completed at that point. For detailed information about the application through PharmCAS, please read the instructions first. Hilbert Biology majors typically complement most pre-pharmacy course requirements by the end of their sophomore year and are eligible to apply early through PharmCAS. We recommend all interested students work with the Pre-health Advisor in their freshman year to plan appropriately for timely entry into the Pharmacy schools.

All pre-pharmacy courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all science and math courses. The PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) is recommended but not required by all pharmacy schools. The requirement for PCAT Exam is generally waived for students who have an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher on all science and math prerequisites or have a competitive score on any of the standardized tests such as GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT, or LSAT, taken within the last three years. For specific instruction on the PCAT waiver, check with your intended pharmacy school.

Students are also expected to have a thorough understanding of pharmacy as a profession. They should consider volunteering or shadowing a pharmacist in a pharmacy, hospital, or other related health care facility to understand how professionals interact with patients and other healthcare professionals and gain valuable interpersonal and leadership skills.

Course Requirements

Pre-pharmacy course requirements vary by school. UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and D’Youville College School of Pharmacy have the following pre-pharmacy course requirements:

Course Name	Hilbert Course #	Credits
Two semesters of General Biology with Lab	BI 140, BI 141	8
Two semesters of General Chemistry with Lab	CH 140, CH 141	8
Two semesters of Organic Chemistry with Lab	CH 311, CH 313	8
Two semesters of General Physics with Lab	PY 140, PY 141	8
Two semesters of Anatomy & Physiology with Lab	BI 420, BI 421	8
Two semesters of English/Writing	EN 101, EN 102	6
Microbiology	BI 220	4
Biochemistry	BI 320	4
Calculus	MA 205 or AP Calculus	3
Statistics	MA 200 or AP Statistics	3
Social Science	SO 101	3
Public Speaking	COM 151	3
Foundations Seminar	GS 101	3