Most Important Course for Pre-Pharmacy?

[mejhnsn2]

Can anyone tell me which courses you take in undergraduate that determines how well you will do in pharmacy? The course that prospective pharmacy students should grasp and do well in?

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[Eriboy37]

In my opinion i think you need to do well in most of your pre-pharm coursework but to directly question your answer. I think organic chemistry and biochem are one of the most important classes to determine your future in pharmacy (at least that's what i think)
A current pharmacy student is probably better able to answer your question.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Organic Chemistry without question.

 

[tahi193]

From what I understand, the first year of pharm covers some basic things like Biochem, Anatomy, Physiology, Immunology, etc. Taking the undergraduate version of any of these is probably a good way of judging your ability to handle pharmacy school. Also as everyone else said, organic chem is a good indicator as well. Just keep in mind that in pharmacy school you will have a full schedule of this sort of class. Juggling everything can be the difficult part.

 

[DoctorRx1986]

While I can't disagree with those who believe organic chemistry is the most important course for determining future success in pharmacy, I would have to say Human Anatomy and Physiology is by far the most relevant and necessary to the study of pharmacy. Drugs alter the physiology of our body and without a thorough understanding of such systems as the cardiovascular or renal system, you will not understand much about a drug's particular mechanism of action, induced side effects, and metabolism.

I used to think organic chemistry would be the most important course while I was a pre-pharmacy student myself, but after completing my P1 year, I have realized I barely use the discipline. Application of organic chemistry in the pharmacy profession is dependent on whether or not your school's curriculum incorporates a course titled "Medicinal Chemistry". I'm just speculating and don't know the details, but I have heard or at least read that pharmacy schools in California, being more rigorous, teach med chem anywhere from 2-4 semesters. Other pharmacy schools do so as well. I'm a student at NSU and we do not take any medicinal chemistry. The most relevant topics you must take out of your chemistry courses include CHARGES, ACID-BASE CHEMISTRY (THINK OF PH), SOLUBILITY principles, and recognition of FUNCTIONAL GROUPS. So, I would recommend you learn physiology in great detail and just have an understanding of chemistry principles. Good luck.

 

[confettiflyer]

I agree with the above, physiology. The only ochem principles that really benefited me were functional groups and basic reactions (acid base, charges, solubility), stuff that was reviewed in medicinal chemistry anyway. These were also topics that were covered within the first few weeks of 1st semester/quarter ochem.

This is at least for P-1, I pulled more from physio (ie action potentials, electrolyte, actin/myosin, etc...) than from ochem. Physio was incorporated into my biochem, self-care, and pathophysiology courses whereas ochem was relegated to one semester of med chem.

Remember, this is for P-1, this could change for P-2.

 

[AKN16]

Can anyone tell me which courses you take in undergraduate that determines how well you will do in pharmacy? The course that prospective pharmacy students should grasp and do well in?

Any math and science courses, excluding physics..

 

[tomk]

ochem or bio chem, moreso ochem.

not for the reasons others have (im not in pharm yet). dunno if it preps you for pharm school or not.
My reason for choosing those two? those two are the classes that probably weed you out of your major or discourages you from continuing to pursue pharmacy. imo, they are the hardest classes in a bio or health major. if you can get A's in those and molecular, you should be sitting pretty in any class.

certain people seem to not be able to hack those classes and it kills their gpa, thus killing their chance at getting interviews.

 

[bklyngirl]

I think that the best people who can answer this question are current practicing pharmacists. While volunteering in the hospital pharmacy, I met a few pharmacists who would probably claim that orgo is one of the least important.
When I told them I was taking orgo, they all shouted in unison "Oh no! Poor kid". They relayed their experiences with orgo, agreeing that success in the subject weighed heavily on the quality and difficulty of the professor. They also stated they had forgotten a majority of the subject, so I guess the orgo knowlege they had coming into the job wasn't needed much. I must add that these guys are exceptional pharmacists!
Having a solid/strong background in orgo will probably result in a smoother ride through pharmacy school, BUT I wonder how useful it is when you are out there working in a pharmacy?

 

[DoctorRx1986]

I think that the best people who can answer this question are current practicing pharmacists. While volunteering in the hospital pharmacy, I met a few pharmacists who would probably claim that orgo is one of the least important.
When I told them I was taking orgo, they all shouted in unison "Oh no! Poor kid". They relayed their experiences with orgo, agreeing that success in the subject weighed heavily on the quality and difficulty of the professor. They also stated they had forgotten a majority of the subject, so I guess the orgo knowlege they had coming into the job wasn't needed much. I must add that these guys are exceptional pharmacists!
Having a solid/strong background in orgo will probably result in a smoother ride through pharmacy school, BUT I wonder how useful it is when you are out there working in a pharmacy?

I have spoken to numerous pharmacists and none of them remember any organic chemistry. Simply put, you will not use organic chemistry as a pharmacist unless you decide to go into research and design pharmaceutical agents; only then will you really have to know and apply knowledge of organic chemistry. Pharmacists are not organic chemists; they are healthcare practitioners and therefore rely extensively upon knowledge of pharmacology, physiology, and therapeutics; A pharmacist doesn't need to think, "Hmm, this molecule doesn't contain a ketone and therefore will have little effect in the body"- this is the job of the medicinal chemist. If pharmacists were really expected to be experts in organic chemistry, I doubt schools would require only two semesters of introductory organic chemistry; they'd probably require more advanced courses in the discipline. Of course, some PharmD programs incorporate medicinal chemistry into their curriculums, but not all schools do this. It would be absurd to believe that pharmacists are required to draw upon knowledge of a basic 2 semester organic chemistry course that they took about 5 or 6 years ago in order to excel in their position.

Personally, I LOVED organic chemistry with a passion- i still do. I think organic molecules are just beautiful and love their structures. I'm also 100% certain everytime I look at those beautiful cyclopropane, cyclohexane, benzene rings, and attached substituents, my pupils dilate because of the attraction I have for them. However, I am also realistic and realize I will never need to know the Aldol reaction, Williamson Ether Synthesis, Fischer reactions, etc. I find it absolutely fascinating that a wonderful structure such as tetrodotoxin can bind to and inhibit voltage-gated Na ion channels, thereby preventing generation of action potentials and causing paralysis! I used to think like many pre-pharmacy students that the emphasis in pharmacy school would be on organic chemistry. To my dismay, however, I use very little if any organic chemistry at this point and I'm going onto my second year in a month and a half. Occasionally, I see structures and such, but professors don't really analyze them much. Then again, my school, NSU, doesn't require med. chem in the curriculum. So, this is all from my experience. And the course doesn't even help you in having more of a smooth ride in school. Like I stated in another post, all you need to know is CHARGES, ACID BASE CHEMISTRY(THINK OF PH), SOLUBILITY PRINCIPLES, AND FUNCTIONAL GROUPS.

 

[confettiflyer]

i failed 1st semester ochem and hated it the entire way (retook for an A for admissions purposes).

I just browsed through my syllabus for pharmacology I this fall, here's what's in the syllabus:

"Pharmacology I will encompass three main sections: Principles of Drug Action, Autonomic
Pharmacology and Cardiovascular-Renal Pharmacology. Principles of Drug Action will provide an
introduction to pharmacodynamic parameters of drug action, drug-receptor interaction and cell
signaling, drug metabolism, drug toxicity and adverse drug reactions. Autonomic Pharmacology will
include an overview of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic), adrenergic
and cholinergic pharmacology, and other chemical mediators. Cardiovascular-Renal Pharmacology
will include an overview of cardiac, vascular, blood and renal physiology, as they relate to the control
of cardiovascular function, and the mechanisms of action of drugs used to treat cardiovascular disorders. "

Yup...sounds like physiology will set you up to be in a better position than ochem.

 

[DoctorRx1986]

Confettiflyer, you are going to be a P2 student like I am and you guys are only now going to get started taking pharmacology? I'm headed onto my third semester of pharmacology already. Based on the description of your pharmacology 1 course, allow me to express how much of a delight it will be for you to learn about cardiovascular, renal, and autonomic system drugs (hopefully). Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, CCBs (Calcium Channel Blockers), anticholinergics, etc...wonderful information and knowledge to be acquired for sure. Speaking of those drugs, at my school (NSU), we covered the pharmacology of those agents in second semester pharmaco. I can't wait for third semester pharmacology, as we will learn about central nervous system drugs and their effects on GABA receptors, opioid receptors (think mu, kappa receptors, etc.) and all kinds of antipsychotics, etc...😍. Just out of curiosity, where do you go to school?

 

[confettiflyer]

Confettiflyer, you are going to be a P2 student like I am and you guys are only now going to get started taking pharmacology? I'm headed onto my third semester of pharmacology already. Based on the description of your pharmacology 1 course, allow me to express how much of a delight it will be for you to learn about cardiovascular, renal, and autonomic system drugs (hopefully). Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, CCBs (Calcium Channel Blockers), anticholinergics, etc...wonderful information and knowledge to be acquired for sure. Speaking of those drugs, at my school (NSU), we covered the pharmacology of those agents in second semester pharmaco. I can't wait for third semester pharmacology, as we will learn about central nervous system drugs and their effects on GABA receptors, opioid receptors (think mu, kappa receptors, etc.) and all kinds of antipsychotics, etc...😍. Just out of curiosity, where do you go to school?

I'm at Jefferson in Philly. Actually, I remember we got into a discussion with our faculty members about the order of classes. They said they were debating starting pharmacology our 1st year in conjunction with med chem, teach a quasi combined course, or separate the two entirely and start the pharmacology series 2nd year.

I was kind of spacing out during this discussion, but the gist was they felt that it made more sense to give us all the intro material 1st year such that we'd only remember vague/general ideas from 1st year anyway, and that the closer they put pharmacology/therapeutics/etc... it'll flow better. I could be making that all up, but they did study how other schools did it (our med chem professors came directly from Univ. of Maryland).

 

[CrazyFox]

Orgo because I think it's one of thouse courses that make you or break you.(my case)

 

[Farmercyst]

Microbiology/immunology for ID courses
Medicinal Chemistry if your school has it (I'm glad I took it as an elective in undergrad)
Anatomy/Physiology (neuroanatomy/GI anatomy/Renal/liver and associated physiologies)
Biochemistry, preferably with enzyme kinetics

 

[bklyngirl]

I have spoken to numerous pharmacists and none of them remember any organic chemistry. Simply put, you will not use organic chemistry as a pharmacist unless you decide to go into research and design pharmaceutical agents; only then will you really have to know and apply knowledge of organic chemistry. Pharmacists are not organic chemists; they are healthcare practitioners and therefore rely extensively upon knowledge of pharmacology, physiology, and therapeutics; A pharmacist doesn't need to think, "Hmm, this molecule doesn't contain a ketone and therefore will have little effect in the body"- this is the job of the medicinal chemist. If pharmacists were really expected to be experts in organic chemistry, I doubt schools would require only two semesters of introductory organic chemistry; they'd probably require more advanced courses in the discipline. Of course, some PharmD programs incorporate medicinal chemistry into their curriculums, but not all schools do this. It would be absurd to believe that pharmacists are required to draw upon knowledge of a basic 2 semester organic chemistry course that they took about 5 or 6 years ago in order to excel in their position.

Personally, I LOVED organic chemistry with a passion- i still do. I think organic molecules are just beautiful and love their structures. I'm also 100% certain everytime I look at those beautiful cyclopropane, cyclohexane, benzene rings, and attached substituents, my pupils dilate because of the attraction I have for them. However, I am also realistic and realize I will never need to know the Aldol reaction, Williamson Ether Synthesis, Fischer reactions, etc. I find it absolutely fascinating that a wonderful structure such as tetrodotoxin can bind to and inhibit voltage-gated Na ion channels, thereby preventing generation of action potentials and causing paralysis! I used to think like many pre-pharmacy students that the emphasis in pharmacy school would be on organic chemistry. To my dismay, however, I use very little if any organic chemistry at this point and I'm going onto my second year in a month and a half. Occasionally, I see structures and such, but professors don't really analyze them much. Then again, my school, NSU, doesn't require med. chem in the curriculum. So, this is all from my experience. And the course doesn't even help you in having more of a smooth ride in school. Like I stated in another post, all you need to know is CHARGES, ACID BASE CHEMISTRY(THINK OF PH), SOLUBILITY PRINCIPLES, AND FUNCTIONAL GROUPS.

Unlike you, I'm so glad there will be very little organic chemistry in pharm school because I would be doomed if that were the case. Although I have excelled in all other science courses, orgo has been my weakness from start to finish. I hate it so much that I was having second thoughts about entering the pharm profession due to dreading facing any more orgo!
If it is not used at all (other than research, which I'm not interested in pursuing), then why does admissions weigh your success on these courses so heavily?

 

[DoctorRx1986]

Unlike you, I'm so glad there will be very little organic chemistry in pharm school because I would be doomed if that were the case. Although I have excelled in all other science courses, orgo has been my weakness from start to finish. I hate it so much that I was having second thoughts about entering the pharm profession due to dreading facing any more orgo!
If it is not used at all (other than research, which I'm not interested in pursuing), then why does admissions weigh your success on these courses so heavily?

According to admissions for med school, pharmacy, dental, and some other health professions, peformance in organic chemistry is said to provide insight into how well you might perform at the professional level as a student. Why? Well, because organic chemistry is usually considered one of the most demanding, time intensive prerequisites and your ability to learn it well and earn an A tells adcoms that you are are a critical thinker, disciplined, and are not dismayed when challenged. Organic chemistry is simply a good exercise in the development of your mind...professional schools want to ensure that you have the intellectual capacity to perform and this course gives you an opportunity to demonstrate how effective a student you are. In my opinion, organic is NOT a futile exercise in memorization as so many people believe...it is based on conceptual understanding and I memorized very little in the course, in fact, I never even made flash cards. However, some do believe is it heavy in memorization and I guess adcoms believe if you have the ability to memorize seemingly endless information, you will succeed in pharmacy because you'll just have to memorize even more in the program. Overall, sad to say, but organic chemistry is used as a weedout course for admissions purposes. They believe, "Hey, if such and such person can't succeed in a certain course EVEN with good instruction, this person is not likely to succeed in a professional program".

Bklyngirl, what school do you wish to attend? Like I said earlier, whether you will see a lot of organic chemistry or not depends on what pharmacy school you attend. If you go to a school that offers medicinal chemistry as part of the curriculum, you will see it over and over again, so in that case, better start loving it!

 

[bklyngirl]

According to admissions for med school, pharmacy, dental, and some other health professions, peformance in organic chemistry is said to provide insight into how well you might perform at the professional level as a student. Why? Well, because organic chemistry is usually considered one of the most demanding, time intensive prerequisites and your ability to learn it well and earn an A tells adcoms that you are are a critical thinker, disciplined, and are not dismayed when challenged. Organic chemistry is simply a good exercise in the development of your mind...professional schools want to ensure that you have the intellectual capacity to perform and this course gives you an opportunity to demonstrate how effective a student you are. In my opinion, organic is NOT a futile exercise in memorization as so many people believe...it is based on conceptual understanding and I memorized very little in the course, in fact, I never even made flash cards. However, some do believe is it heavy in memorization and I guess adcoms believe if you have the ability to memorize seemingly endless information, you will succeed in pharmacy because you'll just have to memorize even more in the program. Overall, sad to say, but organic chemistry is used as a weedout course for admissions purposes. They believe, "Hey, if such and such person can't succeed in a certain course EVEN with good instruction, this person is not likely to succeed in a professional program".

Bklyngirl, what school do you wish to attend? Like I said earlier, whether you will see a lot of organic chemistry or not depends on what pharmacy school you attend. If you go to a school that offers medicinal chemistry as part of the curriculum, you will see it over and over again, so in that case, better start loving it!

I've been accepted to LIU, and am on LECOM Erie's alternate list (if called, will go in a heartbeat!). Medicinal chemistry is part of the curriculum at both schools - guess I better start falling in love with orgo! Better yet, maybe I should re-apply for 2010 only to programs not offering medicinal chemistry in their curriculum!🙄

 

[DoctorRx1986]

I've been accepted to LIU, and am on LECOM Erie's alternate list (if called, will go in a heartbeat!). Medicinal chemistry is part of the curriculum at both schools - guess I better start falling in love with orgo! Better yet, maybe I should re-apply for 2010 only to programs not offering medicinal chemistry in their curriculum!🙄

How many semesters of medicinal chemistry? 😍

 

[bklyngirl]

How many semesters of medicinal chemistry? 😍

Are you having fun adding salt to the wound?
Just checked their curriculums - looks like 3 semesters of medicinal chemistry at LIU, and 4 semesters at LECOM.
Pray for me!!!

 

[aboveliquidice]

We had Med Chem with every block for our entire P1 year... we didn't revisit it all that much the second year though.

It would have to be a toss up:

Organic Chem
Biochem
Physiology

All of these courses were extremely important to the P1 year.

 

[koercive]

Organic chem/biochem

I think physio is important as well, but I noticed not that many of the schools I applied for required them