Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Pharmacy
There is a high demand for pharmacists in the retail sector, manufacturing, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and more.
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions.
They also may conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on healthy lifestyles
Pharmacists must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), a 4-year professional degree. They must also be licensed, which requires passing two exams.
Pharmacy Schools Centre Grads Attend*
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
University of North Carolina
University of Kentucky
University of Cincinnati
Sullivan University School of Pharmacy
ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
Lipscomb University
Belmont University
*A Sampling of Recent Graduates
Alumni Voices
“Centre’s pre-pharmacy advising program has been instrumental in preparing me to attend the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. Being in the BMB program, I also feel that I am adequately prepared to take on pharmacy coursework and pursue my PharmD.”
JOSH MELSON • Centre Class of 2020 • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major
“Centre’s pre-pharmacy advising program has been instrumental in preparing me to attend the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. Being in the BMB program, I also feel that I am adequately prepared to take on pharmacy coursework and pursue my PharmD.”
JOSH MELSON • Centre Class of 2020 • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major
Faculty Advisor
Faculty Advisor
Pre-pharmacy students should consult with faculty advisor Professor Daniel Scott and can reach him by email here.
What Courses Should I Take?
What Courses Should I Take?
Students in lab classes at Centre have routine access to research instrumentation that is not available to students at most universities, where such lab equipment is dedicated to research use.
Lab classes at Centre are small, with a typical lab size of 16 students in first-year courses and smaller numbers of students in the advanced courses. More importantly, these small classes are taught by faculty members who hold doctorate degrees.
Students intending to pursue a career in pharmacy are encouraged to take courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics while they are in high school. It is more important to take at least one class in each of the sciences than it is to take two years in a single science. This broad preparation will allow students to proceed with the science courses required as pharmacy school prerequisites. It is important to note that professional schools do not usually accept AP credit for their prerequisites.
Recommended in Your First Semester
CHE (131 or 135) or BIO 110
Suggested Courses
Evolution, Biodiversity, Ecology (BIO 110)
Introduction to Genetics (BIO 210)
Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 226)
Microbiology (BIO 340) - must take BMB 210 as a pre-req (CHE 370 is not a suitable replacement for the BMB 210 pre-req)
General Chemistry I (CHE 131)
General Chemistry II (CHE 132)
Organic Chemistry I (CHE 241)
Organic Chemistry II (CHE 242)
Introduction to Economics (ECO 110)
Topics in Writing (ENG 170)
Introduction to Statistics (MAT 130)
Calculus I (MAT 170)
Introduction to Physics (PHY 110)
See the Course Requirements for Pharmacy Schools for more information about when each course is offered at Centre College.
Useful Links
Useful Links