Pre-Pharmacy Program
At A Glance
Program Type
Pre-Professional
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Grad School Prep
An academic advisor will support you in the grad school application process
Best Major Choices
Biology or biochemistry
So, what differentiates our pharmacy program? In addition to offering the prerequisite courses you need, preparing you professionally, we integrate faith into learning and approach science from a God-as-Creator perspective. We are the largest Christian college in the Northwest to offer a pre-pharmacy program.
And, with our small classroom size (16-to-1 student-to faculty ratio), you can be assured you will receive plenty of personalized attention from faculty members who know you by name and are vested in your future.
Most students who pursue a career in pharmacy major in biology or biochemistry, but you can choose any academic major we offer as long as you take certain specific courses required of your pharmacy school of choice. Whatever major you choose, you will need a sound background in math and science. Good communication skills are also important, as is a broad general education in the social sciences and humanities.
Is a Career as a Pharmacist for Me?
You might picture a pharmacist as someone behind the counter at your local drug store, but the scope of the profession is much broader than that. In addition to compounding and dispensing medications, pharmacists also may conduct health and wellness screenings, administer immunizations, teach other healthcare practitioners about proper medication therapies for patients, and advise on healthy lifestyles.
Types of Pharmacists
- Community pharmacists work in retail stores or independently owned pharmacies who dispense medications and answer any questions patients may have
- Clinical pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings and focus on direct patient care rather than dispensing prescriptions
- Consultant pharmacists advise healthcare facilities or insurance providers on patient medication use or improving pharmacy services
- Pharmaceutical industry pharmacists work in marketing, sales, or research and development, designing or conducting clinical drug trials and helping to develop new drugs
Courses / Curriculum What Will I Study?
Your course of study will vary depending on your major, but you must take certain courses to meet pharmacy school requirements.
- Your course load will include classes in biology (human anatomy and physiology, advanced physiology, general biology, advanced human anatomy) chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry), physics (general physics) and mathematics (statistical procedures, calculus). It is also recommended you take courses in psychology, communications and economics.
- We offer undergraduate research and clinical job shadowing opportunities, and many of our students engage in research both at the university and at Oregon Health & Science University.
- You should also focus on learning as much as you can about medicine, ethics, etc., from physicians, local hospitals, and other health professionals. Shadowing a pharmacist can be helpful in determining whether you would really like to have a career in the profession.
- As getting into pharmacy school is competitive, you should choose electives that will demonstrate your knowledge and dedication to learning. Select your major based on what you enjoy and what you feel you will do well academically. However, most pre-pharmacy students choose to major in biology or biochemistry.
Cornerstone Core
The Cornerstone Core is a set of 12 courses across 10 academic disciplines that undergraduate students take at Â鶹´«Ã½ Fox to cultivate their character within the Christian context.
As an alternative to Cornerstone Core, students can participate in our great books honors program.
Bachelors (BS) in Biology Requirements
×Biology Core Requirements (18 credit hours)
Complete the following:
Biology Upper-Division Electives (16 credit hours)
Complete at least one course from each of the following groups.
Choose one of the following:
Choose one of the following:
Choose one of the following:
Physical Sciences (16 credit hours)
Choose four of the following:
Quantitative Skills (6-8 credit hours)
Complete the following:
Choose one of the following:
Optional Thesis
Students can petition the department thesis committee by the end of the fall semester of their junior year for permission to do original research as part of their degree requirement. Students allowed to pursue the thesis option must:
- Complete an acceptable research proposal and the Research Methods course (BIOL 384) by the end of the spring semester of the junior year.
- Take up to 4 hours of Biological Research (BIOL 465) between the spring semester of their junior year and graduation, and Senior Thesis (BIOL 496) during the spring semester of their senior year.
- Complete a written thesis acceptable to the thesis committee by April 1 of their senior year.
- Prepare a poster and give an oral presentation of their research prior to graduation.
The department considers this an honor to be noted on the student's transcript. The thesis is designed to enhance a student's preparation for graduate or professional school.
Bachelors (BA) in Biology Requirements
×Core Requirements (41-45 credit hours)
Complete the following:
Choose one of the following sequences:
Sequence 1
Sequence 2
Complete the following:
Complete the following:
Complete MATH180 or higher. Students who complete MATH 180 College Algebra are encouraged to take MATH 240 Statistics (3) as well.
Complete the following:
Choose one of the following field studies courses:
Choose one of the following diversity courses:
Choose one of the following form/function courses:
Choose one of the following cell/molecular courses:
Upper-division BIOL electives
Liberal Arts Emphasis (14-16 credit hours) - choose one
Complete the following:
Choose 12 credit hours of electives from the following:
Option 1
Complete the following:
Spanish language sequence:
Option 2
Complete the following:
Spanish language sequence:
Choose 6-8 credit hours of Global/Cultural Understanding electives from the following:
Complete the following:
Choose three of the following:
Complete the following:
Complete the following:
Introductory course taken by majors in the field (3 hours)
Take 12 upper-division elective hours, as agreed upon by department chair of chosen discipline and biology department head. (12 hours)
Bachelors (BS) in Biochemistry Requirements
×Complete the following:
Complete the following:
Complete the following:
Choose one of the following:
Choose one of the following sequences:
OR
Choose three of the following:
Philosophy: The opportunity to pursue a chemistry thesis is an honor. Consequently, the thesis option will be noted on a student's transcript. The thesis is designed to enhance a student's preparation for graduate or professional school. The heart of the thesis is original research conducted under the guidance of a chemistry faculty member.
Eligibility: The thesis option may be pursued by any chemistry major in good academic standing. Students wishing to pursue a thesis must:
- Consult with their research advisor about an acceptable research project.
- In writing, notify the chemistry thesis committee (composed of the chemistry department faculty) of their intention to conduct research. The thesis committee must receive notification by the end of the fall semester of the student's junior year.
After the beginning of the spring semester of a student's junior year, students must petition the department thesis committee for permission to pursue thesis research. Students who pursue the thesis option must:
- Enroll in at least 1 hour of Chemical Research (CHEM 465) each semester, beginning the spring semester of their junior year, through the spring semester of their senior year.
- Submit the first copy of a written thesis to the thesis committee by April 1 of their senior year. The final, edited copy is due to the thesis committee the last day of classes during the spring semester.
- Prepare a poster and give an oral presentation of their research.
In some cases, students may apply research conducted off campus to the CHEM 465 requirement. Students who participate in off-campus research programs may petition the thesis committee for special consideration of the thesis option. The thesis committee must receive the petition by the beginning of the fall semester of the student's senior year. The thesis committee may elect to substitute the off-campus experience for a portion of the CHEM 465 requirement.
Serena Ferris
Pharmacist, Roseburg, Oregon
I took many courses at Â鶹´«Ã½ Fox that helped prepare me for the rigorous demands of pharmacy school. Taking classes such as advanced anatomy and physiology, genetics, microbiology, and organic chemistry gave me a strong foundation in the sciences before attending graduate school. The biology department allows students to thrive in an academic environment where they have access to professors who care about their success, not only in classes but also in their future careers. I am grateful for my Â鶹´«Ã½ Fox education and the opportunities for career growth it has afforded me since graduation.