Prerequisites
Applicants for the VCU School of Pharmacy must successfully complete ALL course prerequisites by the end of the summer term before fall classes begin in the year of their admission.
52
Total number of college semester hours that must be completed prior to matriculation
30
Total number of basic science college semester hours that must be completed prior to application consideration
45
Total number of college quarter hours that must be completed prior to matriculation:
Course Recommendations
Due to the importance of a strong biomedical science foundation in the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program, some or all of these courses are highly recommended:
- Genetics (3 SH)
- Molecular Biology (3 SH)
- Immunology (3 SH)
- Cell Biology (3 SH)
If you have taken Human Anatomy and Physiology together, please take both sections to satisfy the 6 credit requirement: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
AP (Advanced Placement tests of the College Board) and/or IB (International Baccalaureate) courses will not be accepted for science prerequisites other than physics, although higher-level courses in the same subject area may be substituted (e.g., physical chemistry for general chemistry). AP/IB credit in physics, calculus, statistics and English will be accepted with a minimum score of 3 (AP) or 4 (IB).
| Course title | Sem. hrs | Qrt. hrs |
| Biology | ||
| General Biology Lecture | 6 | 9 |
| General Biology Lab | 2 | 3 |
| Human Anatomy Lecture (in addition, 1 SH of lab is preferred) | 3 | 4.5 |
| Human Physiology | 3 | 4.5 |
| Microbiology Lecture (in addition, 1 SH of lab is preferred) | 3 | 4.5 |
| Biochemistry Lecture | 3 | 4.5 |
| Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry or General Inorganic Chemistry Lecture | 6 | 9 |
| General Chemistry or General Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 2 | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry Lecture | 6 | 9 |
| Organic Chemistry Lab | 2 | 3 |
| Physics | ||
| Physics Lecture | 3 | 4.5 |
| Physics Lab | 1 | 1.5 |
| Math | ||
| Calculus | 3 | 4.5 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4.5 |
| Other | ||
| English | 6 | 9 |
| TOTAL | 52 | 78 |