Courses Descriptions

PROFESSIONAL YEAR 1

Pharm 5110 – Pharmacist Patient Care 1: Process & Skills 1 &
Pharm 5111 – Pharmacist Patient Care 2: Skills & Environments 2 

Supports students’ development of competence in four major areas: clinical skills, the psychosocial dimensions of pharmacy practice, managing as a professional pharmacist, and professional inquiry.

*Pharm 5112 & 5113 – Community Health 1 and 2
Field-based experiences that provide students with opportunities to examine the role of pharmacists in the community. Students work with community agencies that provide essential services to underserved populations. Students are expected to develop communication skills and an awareness of the skills and attitudes required to practice pharmacy.

Pharm 5114 & 5115 – Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2
A two-course sequence that provides an integrated presentation of human anatomy and physiology. Information about each system is presented to explain the processes involved in homeostasis so that students will develop an understanding of the working of the entire human body. Wherever appropriate, information about mechanisms of action of selected drugs is presented.

Pharm 5118 – Principles of Drug Action
Introduces students to basic principles of drug-receptor interactions, drug design and development, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and structure-activity relationships. Through cases analyses and problem sets students apply these principles to basic therapeutic problems.

Pharm 5120 – The Emerging Professional
The emerging professional is designed to stimulate the development of professional attitudes and behaviors and an understanding of the opportunities within the pharmacy profession. Professionalism, ethics, management of self, and the profession of pharmacy are themes of the course.

Pharm 5122 & 5121 – Case Conference Series 1 & 2
Developed in collaboration with term courses to provide additional opportunities for each student to develop and enhance a cohesive, consistent and comprehensive approach to the patient care process.  Knowledge & skills for emphasis include, but not limited to, retrieval & critical evaluation of quality healthcare information, patient assessment, clinical decision making, development of pharmaceutical care plans, verbal & written communication with patients & other health care providers, & professional behaviors.  Patient case activities reinforce the knowledge & skills introduced in concurrent courses within the term, as well as reinforcing previously-learned scientific & patient care principles, skills, and knowledge.

Pharm 5124 – Biochemistry 1: Fundamentals
First of two course sequence that describes structure, properties, biological functions, kinetics, and metabolic fate of macromolecules including protein and carbohydrates that are essential to life and apply knowledge to the molecular basis of selected diseases and medication use.

Pharm 5125 – Biochemistry 2: DNA, Pharmacogenomics & Biotechnology
Course builds on principles introduced in Biochemistry 1. Second of two course sequence that describes structure and function of macromolecules such as lipids and nucleic acids while focusing on DNA, gene regulation, pharmacogenomics and applications to pharmacotherapy and biotechnology.

Pharm 5133 – Professional & Career Development 1
This course, part of a longitudinal sequence, provides a thoughtful, sequential progression of themes of self-development, career development and professional development, incorporating skills for success and documentation of outcome-focused progress.

Pharm 5219 – Dosage Form Design & Delivery
A systematic study of the physio-chemical principles involved in the development of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of pharmaceutical calculations.

PROFESSIONAL YEAR 2

Pharm 5119 – Drug Discovery & Development
Traces the development of drugs from discovery through the early stages of the drug approval process. Introduces students to a variety of drug sources including natural and synthetic sources, and drugs manufactured using biotechnology. Alternatives to drugs, including gene therapy are also discussed. Students learn principles of drug analysis, drug metabolism and the drug approval process.

Pharm 5210 – Nonprescription Therapies & Self-Care Practice &
Pharm 5211 – Drug Literature Analysis & Evaluation 

Supports students’ development of competence in four major areas: clinical skills, social science in pharmacy, managing as a professional pharmacist, and professional inquiry.

*Pharm 5212 & 5213 – Community Pharmacists Practice 1 and 2
Field-based experiences that provide students with opportunities to develop proficiency in carrying out the pharmaceutical care process. Students are expected to develop basic dispensing and counseling skills and collect and interpret data from the practice site. Students practice inquiry skills by generating questions from their practice site that are answered using a systematic approach for answering drug-related questions.

Pharm 5216 – Pharmacotherapy of Cardiovascular Disease
Provides a comprehensive evaluation of the pathophysiology and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The pharmacology and therapeutic use of cardiovascular drugs is presented in relation to the management of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, thromboembolic disorders, and acute myocardial infarction.

Pharm 5218 – Drug Development 2: Pharmacokinetics
Provides students with more advanced understanding of the mathematical relationships that describe the rate and extent of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. Students are expected to be able to design rational therapeutic regimens that account for inter-individual variations in absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination.

Pharm 5220 & 5227 – Case Conference Series 3 & 4
Developed in collaboration with term courses to provide additional opportunities for each student to develop and enhance a cohesive, consistent and comprehensive approach to the patient care process.  Knowledge & skills for emphasis include, but not limited to, retrieval & critical evaluation of quality healthcare information, patient assessment, clinical decision making, development of pharmaceutical care plans, verbal & written communication with patients & other health care providers, & professional behaviors.  Patient case activities reinforce the knowledge & skills introduced in concurrent courses within the term, as well as reinforcing previously-learned scientific & patient care principles, skills, and knowledge.

Pharm 5222 – Fundamentals of Immunology
The purpose of this course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the immune system and integrate elements of basic and applied immunology with pharmacy practice.  Principles in immunology will be reviewed, including mechanisms of inflammation and actions of antibodies,  complement, and cytokines.  The course will also introduce selected immune-based disorders and principles of immunization.

Pharm 5223 – Gastroenterology/Nutrition
Students demonstrate and apply concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics in the evaluation and treatment of selected gastrointestinal diseases and states of nutritional deficiency. Students develop the ability to design, monitor, and refine safe and cost effective treatment plans and provide appropriate information to patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

Pharm 5229 – Fundamentals of Nephrology/Pulmonology
The purpose of this course is to provide students with opportunities to apply knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and therapeutics in provision of pharmaceutical care for patients with selected renal and pulmonary disorders.  The course will focus on integration of science and practice to achieve outcomes that enhance patient care and quality of life.   Expanding on current knowledge and acquiring new knowledge of disease states and therapies, students will be challenged through team-based learning, using a series of TBL sessions focused in selected aspects of pharmaceutical care to patients with renal and pulmonary diseases.   The course will integrate with prior learning (i.e. cardiology, anatomy and physiology) and concurrent learning (case conferences, infectious diseases).

Pharm 5231 – Pharmacotherapy of Infectious Disease 1: Community-Based
The first in a 2-course sequence which uses an integrated approach to the assessment and management of common community-based infectious diseases.  Using large group instruction, case-based practica and other instructional methods, students have the opportunity to acquire scientific knowledge and develop patient care decision-making and plan development skills relevant for a pharmacy practitioner in community practice.  Elements of microbiology, immunology, chemistry, pharmacology and therapeutics will be interwoven throughout the course to provide students with structured and organized learning.

Pharm 5233 – Professional & Career Development 2
This course, part of a longitudinal sequence, provides a thoughtful, sequential progression of themes of self-development, career development and professional development, incorporating skills for success and documentation of outcome-focused progress.

PROFESSIONAL YEAR 3

Pharm 5311 – Safe Medication Use & Pharmacoeconomics 
Supports students’ development of competence in four major areas: clinical skills, the psychosocial dimensions of pharmacy practice, managing as a professional pharmacist, and professional inquiry. Students learn about the legal regulation of pharmacy practice, the principles of pharmacoeconomics, drug use and disease state management, and institutional pharmacy systems and practice.

*Pharm 5312 & 5313 – Health System Pharmacy 1 & 2
Field-based experiences that provide students with opportunities to observe and participate in institutional practice activities such as drug distribution and preparation, evaluating and monitoring patient-specific therapies, pharmacy systems, quality assessment, and formulary control.

Pharm 5315 – Oncology/Hematology
Students demonstrate and apply concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics in the evaluation and treatment of various types of cancer and diseases of the blood. Students develop the ability to design, monitor, and refine safe and cost-effective treatment plans and provide appropriate information to patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

Pharm 5318 – Endocrinology
Students demonstrate and apply concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics in the evaluation and treatment of selected disorders of the endocrine system. Students develop the ability to design, monitor and refine safe and cost-effective treatment plans and provide appropriate information to patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

Pharm 5319 – Neurology/Psychiatry
Students demonstrate and apply concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics in the evaluation and treatment of selected neurological and psychiatric disorders. Students develop the ability to design, monitor, and refine safe and cost-effective treatment plans and provide appropriate information to patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

Pharm 5320 – Population Health and Management
The course focuses on the United States health system and its connection to pharmacist, principles of management and business for the pharmacist, and public health pharmacy.  more concepts addressed will include: health disparities, program development and evaluation, health literacy, health behavior change, access to essential medicines, health care reform, payment structures, business planning, personal and professional management, human resources advocacy, emergency preparedness, safety nets, cultural competency, and global health.

Pharm 5321 – Critical Care & Nephrology
Students demonstrate and apply concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics in the evaluation and treatment of selected neurological and psychiatric disorders. Students develop the ability to design, monitor, and refine safe and cost-effective treatment plans and provide appropriate information to patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

Pharm 5322 – Pharmacy Law
This course is focused on pharmacy law, with a focus on general concepts of constitutional law and an overview of the legal process in the United States.  Students will learn by analyzing statutes, regulations, and case laws examples.  The areas covered will include laws and regulations relevant to pharmacy practice, civil liability including malpractice, and some business-related legal material.

Pharm 5323 & 5324 – Case Conference Series 6 & 5
Developed in collaboration with term courses to provide additional opportunities for each student to develop and enhance a cohesive, consistent and comprehensive approach to the patient care process.  Knowledge & skills for emphasis include, but not limited to, retrieval & critical evaluation of quality healthcare information, patient assessment, clinical decision making, development of pharmaceutical care plans, verbal & written communication with patients & other health care providers, & professional behaviors.  Patient case activities reinforce the knowledge & skills introduced in concurrent courses within the term, as well as reinforcing previously-learned scientific & patient care principles, skills, and knowledge.

Pharm 5326 – Pharmacotherapy of Infectious Disease 2: Health-Systems Based
The second in a 2 course sequence which uses an integrated approach to the assessment and management of health system-based infectious diseases.  Using large group instruction, case-based practica and other instructional methods, students have the opportunity to acquire scientific knowledge and develop patient care decision-making and plan development skills relevant for a pharmacy practitioner in health systems practice.  Elements of microbiology, immunology, chemistry, pharmacology and therapeutics will be interwoven throughout the course to provide students with structured and organized learning.

Pharm 5328 – Advanced Therapeutics: Immunology
The purpose of this course is to reinforce previously-learned fundamental immunology concepts through application to immune-mediated disease states.  Elements of immunology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics are illustrated, reinforced, and applied through case-oriented discussion sessions and assignments designed to enhance skills in problem-solving, patient assessment, drug selection, and monitoring.

Pharm 5333 – Professional & Career Development 3
This course, part of a longitudinal sequence, provides a thoughtful, sequential progression of themes of self-development, career development and professional development, incorporating skills for success and documentation of outcome-focused progress.

PROFESSIONAL YEAR 4

*Pharm 5401 – 5408 – Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience 1-8
Field-based experiences that provide students with opportunities to develop mastery of the pharmaceutical care process in patient-care settings. Students are required to register for 1 acute care, 1 ambulatory care, an additional acute or ambulatory care, 1 advanced institutional practice, 1 advanced community pharmacy practice, and 2 elective rotations.

*Please note that these courses require that you complete rotations at facilities external to the University, and such facilities will or may require a criminal background check, a child abuse history clearance, a drug screen, and other criteria as outlined on the school web page.  If you are unable to satisfy these requirements, the University may be unable to place you in a rotation setting and as a result you may be unable to complete the graduation requirements of the pharmacy program and obtain professional licensure.