Pre-Pharmacy

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a two-year program leading to acceptance in the pharmacy program at the University of Kentucky. Our students have also used Murray State preparation to attend Samford, Mercer, as well as other schools. Students interested in receiving the B.S. degree before applying to Pharmacy School may follow the Biology/Pre-Medicine option.

Career Outlook

Pharmacy programs prepare students for work as pharmacists or in a wide range of activities in the private sector, including research, marketing and quality control. Given the extensive investment by pharmaceutical firms in research, pharmacy has considerable potential for the future. Never before has the potential been as great for the pharmacist to contribute to the health and well-being of the public. With the dramatic changes in the health care system, pharmacists are assuming additional responsibilities in the delivery of health care. The pharmacist's role has expanded beyond the traditional one of drug preparation and distribution.

Courses required for early entrance into Pharmacy School at the University of Kentucky

Years 1 and 2 (73 total hours)

• BIO 100T Transitions (1 credit hour)

• BIO 115 The Cellular Basis of LIfe (3 credit hours)

• BIO 216 Biological Inquiry and Analysis (4 credit hours)

• BIO 227 / BIO 228 Human Anatomy Lecture & Laboratory (4 credit hours)

• BIO 229 / BIO 230 Human Physiology Lecture & Laboratory (4 credit hours)

• BIO 300 Introductory Microbiology (4 credit hours)

• CHE 201 General College Chemistry (5 credit hours)

• CHE 202 General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis (5 credit hours)

• CHE 312 Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (5 credit hours)

• CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)

• CHE 325 Organic Chemistry Lab II (2 credit hours)

• MAT 250 Calculus & Analytic Geometry I (5 credit hours)

• STA 135 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4 credit hours)

• ENG 105 Critical Reading, Writing and Inquiry (4 credit hours)

• ENG 204 Advanced Expository Writing (3 credit hours)

• ECO 230 Principles of Macroeconomics or ECO 231 Principles of Microeconomics (3 credit hours)

• COM 161 Public Speaking (3 credit hours)

• Suggested Electives:

  • BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)

  • CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours)

  • PHY 130/131 General Physics I & General Physics I Laboratory (4 credit hours)

In Addition:

Must complete 64 of the required 73 hours by the end of the spring term prior to beginning of fall classes - priority given to those applicants who complete all pre-pharmacy requisites by the end of the spring term preceding fall admission.

The above program is based on the current admission requirements of the College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky. Other colleges of pharmacy will have somewhat different requirements from those listed above. However, the above curriculum can easily be modified to meet the requirements of any professional program.

For admission into the joint PharmD/MS Business Administration Program add:

• Micro- or Macroeconomics (ECO 230 or 231)

• Principles of Financial Accounting (ACC 203)

• Principles of Managerial Accounting (ACC 201)

For admission into the joint PharmD/MS in Physician Assistant Studies add:

• General Psychology (PSY 180)

• Developmental Psychology (PSY 260)

• Sociology (SOC 133) or Anthropology (ANT 140)