Hi! good evening, i'm new around here,( in the U.S) and i have no idea how the educational system works, not to talk of the pre-pharmacy course work 🙁 , i stay in Chicago and i am planning on attending uic, but first i'm doing the pre pharmacy course work in Malcolm x college, and i have no idea what to take first and how to go about it all, i'm also very bothered about spending 2 years of my life for a pre-pharmacy coursework that won't give me a certificate or an associate 😵. candid advice and opinions please.🙂
Pre-pharmacy coursework can be finished within 2-3 years. You will not get any certificate for completing these courses. You will only get a degree if you finish a major at your college. Typically in your second year of college, they will ask you your major. You can major in anything you want, but most people choose biology or chemistry because their pre-reqs tend to align with their studies. But many can study other things, like art, history, geography, etc. I studied mathematics.
I would suggest going to an academic advisor at your school to plan out your courses. But for now, here are some guidelines:
1. Take the introductory level courses your first year. That is english, general biology, general chemistry, math, statistics, physics 1/2 and social behaviors/humanities.
2. Take organic chemistry, microbiology, advanced biology, biochemistry, and physics 1/2 your second year.
It's usually easier to finish all these courses when you have transferred some credits. In the US, some students have taken college level courses in high school, so they can lighten their load in college. But if you do not have any credits, you'll have to take a larger load every semester. It is doable. But if the classes are a bit too overwhelming, I would suggest you complete them within 3 yrs or take summer classes b/w your first and second year.