Pre-Pharmacy

Introduction

Students interested in a career in pharmacy may pursue a four-year degree in any major along with completing specific prerequisites or students may complete only two or three years of study before starting pharmacy school, as long as the required prerequisites are taken. Students should stay in contact with the Pre-Medical Center from their first college year for assistance in planning appropriately for entry into pharmacy schools. Most students at Canisius choose the 4-year option majoring in either Chemistry (Health Professions Track), Biochemistry, or Biology. Majoring in other academic areas is also possible. Further information can be found in the catalog sections for each of those departments.

Students must gain a thorough understanding of the pharmacy profession, including shadowing or work experience in a pharmacy. Students may also need to earn competitive scores on the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test) which is required by some schools as well as engage in co-curricular and service activites to build a high quality application. In addition to the information in this section, please check the general information at the pre-medical and pre-health section of the catalog.

Joint and Early Assurance Programs

Canisius has seven-year (3+4) joint degree programs with State University of New York at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences* and D'Youville University School of Pharmacy, and both six- (3+3, PA campus) and seven-year (3+4, FL campus) joint degree programs with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy. These programs allow students to earn both the bachelor degree from Canisius and the Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the partner institution. In these programs, students complete the Core Curriculum or the All College Honors Program and three years of the Chemistry Health Track major (courses approved by the chair of the Chemistry Department) or the Biology major (courses approved by the chair of the Biology Department). After the first year of pharmacy school, the bachelor degree is awarded by Canisius. Students also have the option to apply to a wide range of pharmacy schools under the 3+4 program. For more information regarding these programs and their specific course requirements, contact the Pre-Health advisor.

*

Please note that SUNY Buffalo 3+4 prerequisites require careful planning from the first year.

Recommended Pre-Pharmacy Courses

Academic admission requirements vary substantially by pharmacy school, but usually require the following courses. These recommendations prepare a student to apply to multiple pharmacy programs.

English

One year of English composition or the Honors Program equivalent:

Select one of the following:
Option 1:
ENG 111Academic Writing3
ENG 112Writing about Literature3
Option 2:
HON 101Honors English3
and an Honors Literature course3

Biology

At least one year of general biology with laboratory. Many schools also require at least one year of anatomy/physiology (BIO 114-BIO 115 or (BIO 324-BIO 340). Many programs also require microbiology with laboratory (BIO 307). Some programs require additional physiology. Please work with the Pre-Health advisor to determine coursework that aligns to your schools of interest.

General Biology
BIO 111
111L
Introductory Biology I
and Introductory Biology Laboratory I
4
BIO 112
112L
Introductory Biology II
and Introductory Biology Laboratory II
4
Anatomy & Physiology
Select one of the following:
Option 1:
BIO 114
114L
Human Biology: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
and Human Biology: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory
4
BIO 115
115L
Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology
and Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory
4
Option 2:
BIO 324
324L
Human Anatomy
and Human Anatomy Lab
4
BIO 340
340L
Physiology
and Physiology Laboratory
4
Microbiology
BIO 307
307L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
4

Chemistry

One year of general chemistry and one year of organic chemistry with laboratories:

CHM 111
111L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHM 112
112L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
4
CHM 227
227L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHM 228
228L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
4

Biochemistry

One semester of biochemistry. Note that not all programs require biochemistry. Please work with the Pre-Health advisor to determine coursework that aligns to your schools of interest:

Select one of the following:
Option 1:
BIO 211Biochemistry and Cell Biology I3
BIO 212Biochemistry and Cell Biology II3
Option 2:
BCH 301Introduction to Biochemistry3

Physics

One semester of introductory physics with laboratory. Not all schools require physics. A student's major may dictate the option they should select. Please work with the Pre-Health Advisor to determine coursework that aligns to your schools of interest:

Select one of the following:
PHY 201
201L
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
or PHY 223
223L
General Physics for Physical Science Majors I
and General Physics for Physical Science Majors I Laboratory

Mathematics

One semester each of calculus and statistics. Some of the more competitive schools require one year of college level calculus (this would include taking MAT 112). Please work with the Pre-Health advisor to determine coursework that aligns to your schools of interest:

Calculus
MAT 111Calculus I4
Statistics
MAT 141Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science4 or 3
or PSY 201 Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences

Additional Pre-Pharmacy Courses

Some schools recommend additional coursework from the following:

Economics: Many programs require one semester of economics (ECO 101 or ECO 102). Some programs specifically require or recommend microeconomics  ECO 102.

Public Speaking: Some programs require one semester of oral communications or more specifically, public speaking (COM 201).

Humanities and/or Social/Behavioral Science: One to four semesters of psychology, sociology, U.S. history, theology and/or philosophy. Some programs specifically require psychology. Please work with the Pre-Health advisor to determine coursework that aligns to your schools of interest.

Elective Courses

HRP 101 allows students to explore different health professions.

HRP 111 introduces students to medical terminology.

HRP 201 and HRP 202 allow students to explore areas of medicine in more depth.

HRP 498 is an internship in medical informatics. A medical scribe internship is also available.

HRP 498A is a medical (and pharmacy) service learning trip.