Prepharmacy Preparation

Students interested in a career in pharmacy need to build a strong foundation in the sciences, as well as skills and abilities in a number of other areas as undergraduate students. Chemistry in particular has a fundamental role in prepharmacy preparation and the field of pharmacy.

Prepharmacy students may select any major to combine with the courses required for admission to pharmacy school. Prepharmacy students should select a major that interests them, allows them to build strong intellectual skills, and one that could provide opportunities for graduate work or employment if they choose not to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Although they can choose any major, prepharmacy students must complete certain required courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences. Some pharmacy schools also require anatomy, physiology, and microbiology for admission. In addition, prepharmacy students need to develop strong reasoning, analytical, and communication skills. A pharmacist needs to have a strong foundation in the sciences, as well as good communication and interpersonal skills. Coursework in the humanities and social sciences can help you build skills in these latter areas.

Although there is no prepharmacy major or Doctor of Pharmacy program at Indiana University, students may complete all the requirements on the IU Bloomington campus for admission to pharmacy schools. The course requirements for admission to pharmacy programs vary significantly from school to school. Below is a plan of study for IU Bloomington students who plan to apply for admission to the Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Doctor of Pharmacy program. We recommend that students who are Indiana residents follow this plan of preparation, and then consider including additional coursework that would help them meet the admission requirements for other pharmacy schools. Students should consult the publication Pharmacy School Admission Requirements (a copy is available in the HPPLC office) and meet with a HPPLC advisor regarding the requirements for admission to other pharmacy schools.

Prepharmacy Program for IU Bloomington Students

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy provides a wealth of useful information for students considering a career in pharmacy.