A Question for current UCSF Pharm. Students

[alittler]

What classes are required for admission to UCSF? Now that you're there, are the any classes you wish you'd have taken that weren't required? 😕

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[Apteka]

What classes are required for admission to UCSF? Now that you're there, are the any classes you wish you'd have taken that weren't required? 😕

The Prereqs are listed on the ucsf website:
http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/pharmd/admissions/steps/1/academic/

So far (I'm a P1,) I *wish* I had taken:
1- Biostatistics (you can place out of of the 1st quarter biostats class if you take a bio-related stats course)
2- Advanced Organic Chemistry (same as above)
3- Biochemistry (same as above, though there is a caveat to the 'placing out' process- the dept. is more strict on this one
4- Histology (not just anatomy)-- there is a course we have now in Histology (cell and tissue structure and function)- that you have a chance of testing out of, but I'd love to have had more background in this!

If you are in California, you can view course equivalents and courses that 'count' as prerequisites at the www.assist.org website.


(Below is taken directly from the UCSF pharmacy website.)
Overview of Academic Prerequisites
One semester unit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter units. To convert semester units to quarter units, multiply the semester units by 1.5.
Minimum Quarter Units
Subject
12 Quarter Units
General Chemistry, must include:
1 year of lecture and lab

12 Quarter Units
Organic Chemistry, must include:
1 year of lecture and lab

12 Quarter Units
Biology, must include:
1 lab

4 Quarter Units
Physiology, mammalian (whole animal or human)
Anatomy, plant physiology, or cell physiology courses may not be used to fulfill this prerequisite.

8 Quarter Units
Physics, must include:
1 lab in electricity and magnetism

8 Quarter Units
Mathematics, must be:
2 courses in calculus

8 Quarter Units
English, must be:
2 courses in college composition
Technical, professional, science, creative, and ESL writing courses are not eligible to meet this English requirement.

If you are not a United States citizen or permanent resident (or if you're not sure), see Information for International Applicants.

28 Quarter Units
Electives in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences

(Technical, professional, math, and science-related courses are not eligible to meet Electives in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences requirements.)

Must include all of the following:

1 course in economics (macro- or micro-), and
1 course in public speaking or debate, and
1 course in psychology, sociology, or cultural anthropology
Courses in interpersonal communications are not eligible to meet the public speaking or debate requirement.

92 quarter units total

 

[ICA]

Now that you're there, are the any classes you wish you'd have taken that weren't required? 😕

Great question.

I was also wondering if there are any non-required courses that would be an asset once I am in pharm school. Thanks for the reccommendations Apteka. Anyone else have any input on this?

I was thinking about taking a "medical terminology" class. Do you think this is a good idea?

 

[JustMeAgain]

Do any current students have advice about getting out of state courses counted as prerequisites at ucsf? I was surprised to find out at my interview that many of my courses taken at a major university not in california were insufficient for ucsf. Do I have a shot at getting them to reconsider or am I just SOL?

 

[Oneday_9]

Do any current students have advice about getting out of state courses counted as prerequisites at ucsf? I was surprised to find out at my interview that many of my courses taken at a major university not in california were insufficient for ucsf. Do I have a shot at getting them to reconsider or am I just SOL?

That's a good question, I was out of state but went to a California University for undergrad. I know one girl in our class who took a LOT of pre-reqs out of state because of this. I would send information on these classes and see what they say, if not, it will be a long summer.

 

[Oneday_9]

What classes are required for admission to UCSF? Now that you're there, are the any classes you wish you'd have taken that weren't required? 😕

Besides what Apeka said, I would add Physical Chemistry to the mix, as this class is a pain to take and without a good foundation, learning it the first time in an accelerated quarter system, just isn't fun. We focus on thermodynamics and kinetics.

Other than that, Biochem and Biostats and Histo are always good recommendations.