Preparation for Pharmacy

Chemistry, 141 Overman Hall, 419-372-2031
Arts & Sciences, 205 Administration Building, 419-372-2015

All accredited colleges of pharmacy require a minimum of six years of study to qualify for the pharmacy degree. The state boards of pharmacy usually require a period of practical experience in pharmacy. Students should request information concerning requirements for a certificate to practice pharmacy from the board of pharmacy in the state in which they wish to practice. In Ohio this information may be obtained from the State Board of Pharmacy, 77 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-6126 (http://www.pharmacy.ohio.gov).

Since colleges of pharmacy vary in their requirements, pre-pharmacy students should ascertain the requirements of the school they plan to enter before selecting the courses for the second year. In the first year at BGSU, students may enroll as "pre-health professional." They may change to "pre-pharmacy" when they have completed at least 30 hours of coursework, have declared a major, and have completed BIOL 205, CHEM 125, and CHEM 127-128. These courses must be taken for a grade. Upon completion of 30 hours of coursework and the above-mentioned courses, students must have BOTH an overall 3.25 GPA and a 3.25 Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math GPA. Upon meeting these criteria, students may contact their college office to replace the label of "pre-health professional" with "pre-pharmacy." If students do not meet these criteria after 30 hours, they may keep their "pre-health professional" label for up to 60 hours. If a student has met the above criteria after 60 hours of coursework, then he or she may change to "pre-pharmacy." Once students have changed to "pre-pharmacy," they will be expected to meet with their advisors regularly to plan their coursework for subsequent semesters. If, after 60 hours, the above criteria still have not been met, students must drop the "pre-health professional" label and must also meet with an advisor to re-evaluate future goals. Transfer students must enroll as "pre-health professional" for the first semester at BGSU; if, after one semester at BGSU, the student's overall and Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math GPA are a 3.25, then he/she may change to "pre-pharmacy." A list of accredited colleges of pharmacy may be obtained from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, 1426 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (http://www.aacp.org).

Recommended course sequence
(33 hours)

• BIOL 204, 205 (10)
• GSW 112 (3)
• MATH 128 or 129 or 130 (by placement) and 131 (8)
• Electives chosen from social sciences, literature and philosophy
• CHEM 125, 127, 128 (10)
• Some pharmacy schools require additional calculus.