Prerequisites
Prerequisite course requirements for 2013 admission and beyond have changed:
- Ethics or Philosophy has been eliminated
- Physics can be fulfilled by one course in calculus-based physics or two courses of algebra-based physics
Below are the new 2013 prerequisite courses for the Pharm.D. Program. All prerequisite courses do not need to be done at the time you apply to the program, but they must be finished by the time you would begin the program.
Click on the PDF to see a list of approved prerequisite courses for schools around the country. The guide shows the prerequisites for 2012 admission, a new guide will be available soon with 2013 prerequisites: GUIDE OF APPROVED PREREQUISITES (pdf)
| General biology, including lab | 1 course |
| Microbiology, including lab | 1 course |
| Human Anatomy* | 1 course, or entire combined A&P sequence |
| Human Physiology* | 1 course, or entire combined A&P sequence |
| Advanced Biology** | 1 course |
| Calculus I | 1 course |
| Statistics | 1 course |
| General Chemistry, including labs | 2 courses |
| Organic Chemistry, including labs | 2 courses |
| General Physics (calculus-based) | 1 course (or 2 courses of algebra-based) |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences*** | 2 courses |
| English Composition, advanced**** | 1 course |
| Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication | 1 course |
* If taking combined Human Anatomy and Physiology courses, both semesters must be completed to fulfill both Human Anatomy and Physiology, or the combined one-semester course must be a minimum of 5 semester credits. ** Recommended courses: biochemistry, cell biology, genetics or molecular biology. Any other advanced biology course must focus on the human body in order to be considered. *** Recommended courses: psychology, sociology, economics, human development, epidemiology, anthropology and global issues. Other courses that will meet the requirement: archaeology, education, geography, history, journalism, law, linguistics, management, political science, etc. **** If you are completing a bachelor's degree and your school has an advanced writing requirement to graduate, the prerequisite may be waived. Click here for more information. | |
2012 Admission
Students admitted to begin the program in fall 2012 must complete one course in Ethics or Philosophy and one course in calculus-based physics (or two semesters of algebra-based physics plus calculus II) in addition to the courses listed above by September 4, 2012.
Pre-pharmacy Course Requirements
The required prerequisite courses may be taken at any regionally accredited university, college, or community college, or completed as Advanced Placement courses. Pre-pharmacy courses must be at least 3 semester credits, taken A-F, and completed with a grade of C- or better before enrollment. If courses are taken as quarter credits, the entire General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry sequences must be completed (e.g. Organic Chemistry I, II & III). Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.00 or 3.2 over the most recent 60 semester credits or 70% composite PCAT to qualify for admission.
AP Test Scores for Prerequisite Pharmacy Courses
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy will accept Advanced Placement (AP) credit for prerequisite courses. AP test scores must appear as credit received on a regionally accredited college transcript.
- If the AP credits AND the subject appear on your college transcript, you do not need to have an official AP score report sent to the College of Pharmacy.
- If the AP subject does not appear on your college transcript, you need to have an official AP score report sent to the College of Pharmacy if you want the credits to count towards a specific prerequisite course. Do not send the AP report to PharmCAS.
If you apply and are admitted to our College, all AP scores that you wish to apply to prerequisites must be received prior to your first day of classes in our College.
You may wish to consult the AP Web site for more information at: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/exgrd_rep.html