Pre-Pharmacy

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Students may choose to complete the pre-pharmacy program at Pitt-Johnstown and apply for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the University of Pittsburgh as well as other pharmacy schools in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

The chemistry faculty serve as academic advisors to pre-pharmacy students and work with them throughout the process.

Course Requirements

The required pre-pharmacy courses will vary from one school to another. Courses frequently required include: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, a full year of calculus, physics, general biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, calculus, economics, psychology, statistics, public speaking, English composition, and 12 to 18 credits of electives in the humanities and social sciences. 

Be sure to check with your preferred school about its particular admission requirements.

In preparation for completion of a degree in pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh, students at Pitt-Johnstown must complete 65-66 credits of coursework,with a minimum QPA of 3.0 in mathematics and and science courses, with no course repeats and no grade below a C. Students must also maintain a 3.0 QPA overall.

The minimum QPA at other schools will vary from 2.5 to 3.10.

Other Requirements

The required pre-pharmacy courses will vary from one school to another.

Most schools require general biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, calculus, economics, psychology, English composition and 12 to 18 credits of electives in the humanities and social sciences.

Some schools require statistics while others do not. Other schools may require anatomy and physiology, microbiology or biochemistry. Public speaking is highly recommended and required by many schools.

Courses frequently required include: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, a full year of calculus and physics. 
The physics requirements will vary from school to school. Some require only one semester while others require a full year with lab work, and some schools require calculus-based physics.

Once you have identified the schools to which you wish to apply, it is your responsibility to make sure that you will complete the required courses in time.

First-Year Schedule

A sample of the likely first-year schedule for students in Pitt-Johnstown’s pre-pharmacy major.

Fall Term

• Freshman Writing Seminar
• General Biology with Lab
• General Chemistry with Lab
• Calculus I
• Intro to Economics

Spring Term

• Freshman Writing II
• General Biology II with Lab
• General Chemistry II with Lab
• Intro to Sociology
• Intro to Psychology

Please note that courses and course titles are subject to change.