Coursework
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Coursework
First Professional Year
The first year of the professional curriculum emphasizes the basic sciences that serve as an important foundation for patient care. These include: Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmacodynamics. The PY1 student is introduced to the role of the pharmacist in the health care through courses such as Introduction to Health Care Systems and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Care. After successful completion of the PY1 coursework, students participate in an early hospital practice experience.
Second Professional Year
The second year of the professional curriculum transitions into intensive therapeutic instruction. Students learn about how common diseases like diabetes, hypertension and asthma are best managed with the appropriate use of medications. In addition, students learn how to evaluate the growing body of medical literature and how to dose/monitor medications based on individual characteristics such as weight and kidney/liver function. After successful completion of the PY2 coursework, students participate in a community pharmacy practice experience.
Third Professional Year
The third year of the professional curriculum continues therapeutics instruction with increasingly more complex cases. PY3 students learn how best to care for patients with different types of cancers and infectious diseases. Students choose elective coursework to complement their career choices with courses such as Ambulatory Care, Critical Care, Nuclear Pharmacy, Pediatrics, Alternative Therapies, Rural Health Care and Epidemiology, just to name a few.
Fourth Professional Year
During the PY4 year, students are primarily enrolled in clinical practice experiences. They practice in ambulatory care and inpatient care environments, learning to apply their knowledge of drugs and how to use them safely and most effectively. Practice experiences are often interdisciplinary experiences focusing on patient care activities. They are not associated with significant drug distribution, dispensing, or management activities. Based on interest and availability, one-month, non-patient focused practice experiences in sites such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), or a research setting can be arranged.