College of Pharmacy Courses
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Pharmaceutical Science (PHPS)
Reviewed & Updated: 02-Nov-2009
PHPS 501 Biochemistry - Biomolecules (3) The course will lay the biochemical foundation for the understanding of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology and pathophysiology. The course will cover protein, DNA, and RNA function, in addition to their regulation and repair. The ultimate goal of this course is to present principles critical for understanding the biochemical basis for disease states and drug action.
PHPS 502 Biochemistry - Metabolism (3) "Biochemistry - Metabolism" will delve into metabolism and the interrelationships of metabolic processes. The biochemistry of metabolism focuses on glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation, gluconeogenesis, and the synthesis and breakdown of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids). Metabolic control and regulation of pathways will be emphasized, including a discussion on the fundamentals of signal transduction in relation to hormone action. Clinical correlates and metabolic diseases will be examined.
PHPS 503 Pharmaceutical Calculations (2) In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of pharmaceutical calculations, including use of the SI system of units, methods of measurement and expressions of concentration. In addition they will learn what constitutes an accurate, understandable and legal prescription or medication order. Through a series of lectures and exercises based on intensive problem solving, students will learn to perform the calculations required for the preparation of a range of pharmaceutical dosage forms as well as for their proper administration to the patient. Emphasis will be placed on accuracy and prevention of medication errors.
PHPS 504 Pharmaceutical Immunology (3) Basic concepts of immunology, including innate immunity, antigen recognition, lymphocyte development and adaptive immunity will lay the groundwork for understanding immunity in a clinical context. Students will learn the role of the immune system in allergy, auto-immune disease, graft rejection and tumor immunogenicity. Methods of manipulating the immune system pharmacologically will be discussed as well as biotechnology applications.
PHPS 505 Pharmaceutics I (3) (lec., lab) Students will be introduced to issues, theory, and practice involved in the rational choice of drugs, dosage forms, and drug delivery systems, and the legal and professional issues in drug compounding. Discussion of Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Compounding Practices will carry over into the lab portion of the class. Students will become comfortable with equipment, procedures, and records usen in the compounding of various dosage forms, and will practice clinical dispensing skills vital to shaping a truly professional pharmacist.
PHPS 506 Pharmaceutics II (3) (lec., lab) Students will be introduced to issues, theory and practice, involved in the rational choice of drugs, dosage forms and drug delivery systems, and the legal and professional issues in drug compounding. Discussions of Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Compounding Practices will carry over into the lab portion of class. Students will become comfortable with equipment, procedures and records used in the compounding of applications.
PHPS 507 Fnd of Int Therapeut/OTC drugs (3) This course serves as an introduction to the integrated therapeutics sequences of courses. The integrated therapeutics series is the core of the pharmacy curriculum. Material presented will emphasize topic areas that are foundational to the integrated therapeutics sequence of courses. Additionally, an in-depth review of over-the-counter medications will be presented.
PHPS 509 Pathophysiology (4) This course will begin with a review of basic physiological topics that are of special importance to pharmacy, e.g. the autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems. Following this will be an introduction to the discipline of pathology.
PHPS 511 Pharmacokinetics (3) Students will learn about the time course a drug occupies in the human body. Topics to be covered include drug bioavailability, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination, pharmacokinetics of various dosage forms, routes of administration and drug effects over time. The effects of patient weight, gender and age on drug pharmacokinetics will be discussed along with the therapeutic variation that occurs with these patient parameters. Students will use pharmacokinetic calculations to be able to solve problems in clinical pharmacokinetics. Emphasis will be placed on using pharmacokinetic principles to decrease the risk of toxicity and improve therapeutic outcomes using a variety of commonly used medications.
PHPS 512 Intro to the Pharm Sciences (3) This course is designed to introduce first year pharmacy students to the areas included in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Areas that will be presented are Introduction to Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy. This course will allow students to successfully transition into the integrated Therapeutics sequences of courses taught in years 2 and 3.
PHPS 550 Genetics in Medicine (2) This elective course will introduce the student to the basics of genetics and molecular mechanisms of inheritance as they apply to the treatment of disease and to the response of patients to drug therapy. Students will learn how genetics may lead to new strategies in drug development and treatment, how genetics may be used to predict patient response to specific treatments, and how responses are mediated. Emphasis will be placed on clinical and research applications.
PHPS 551 Substances of Abuse/Addiction (2) This elective course will provide an in-depth review of the neuropharmacology of substances of abuse including stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and anabolic steroids. Other types of addiction will be discussed including gambling addiction. Special emphasis will be given to basic pharmacokinetic and pharmocodynamic mechanisms as they relate to the effects of the individual substances of abuse. Current theories of addiction and tolerance will be discussed.
PHPS 552 Dietary Supplements (1) A wide range of products are used in the United States and other parts of the world as aids for better health rather than as therapeutics for the treatment of disease. These products range from vitamins and minerals to herbal supplements used for a variety of purposes. In this course, the rationale for the use of these products will be examined as well as their safety and efficacy.
PHPS 553 Radioactivity in Pharmacy (1) Radiopharmaceuticals are playing a more and more important role worldwide. Particularly, the development of radiolabeled compounds for in vivo biochemical imaging tools like PET (positron emission tomography) and SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) increased considerably.
PHPS 554 Herb Med & Hawaiian Med Plants (1) This elective course will cover the most popular herbal medicines, their chemistry (natural products), information resources, part(s) of plant origin, use, efficacy, safety, and potential drug interactions. A small student-centered research project is assigned with approval by the chair of the department.
PHPS 555 Geographic (Tropical) Medicine (1) This elective course will cover: policy makers and public health experts who have emphasized the growing need for global health literacy and global health capacity among U. S. healthcare professionals. The Institute of Medicine defines global health as health problems, issues, and concerns that transcend national boundaries, may be influenced by circumstances or experiences in other countries, and are best addressed by cooperative actions and solutions.
PHPS 556 Drugs from Natural Sources (1) This elective course will discuss original drugs used by man for the treatment of himself and his animals were all of natural origin and in some parts of the world the natural environment still provides the majority, if not all, of medications used on a day to day basis for the treatment of common and not so common ailments. Today the natural world is still the source of over 50% of pharmaceuticals either as direct products, derivatives thereof, or as lead structures.
PHPS 557 Recent Adv in Pharmacology (1) This elective course explores recent advances in pharmacodynamics published in the scientific literature. Emphasis is placed on topics related to new drug targets and the use of innovative research techniques to enhance the drug development process. The therapeutic implications of this research are discussed in relation to the pharmacotherapy of major disease states.
PHPS 558 Drug Development & Regulation (1) The mechanism by which drug products are developed and approved for use in a global market is an evolving process. Concepts of quality by design employed in other industries such as aerospace are being adapted for pharmaceuticals with the intense encouragement of major regulatory agencies.
PHPS 591 Basic & Applied Toxicology (1) This course provides a general foundation in the understanding of basic toxicological principles. The mechanisms of toxicity and contemporary treatment plans for the most common chemical, environmental and pharmaceutical agents are presented.
PHPS x94 Special Topics in Subject Matter (Arr.) (IO) Special topics chosen by the instructor. Course content will vary. May be repeated for credit, provided that a different topic is studied. Additional requirements may apply depending on subject and topic.
PHPS x99 Directed Studies (Arr.) (IO) Statement of planned reading or research required. Pre: instructor’s consent.
Pharmacy Practice (PHPP)
Reviewed & Updated: 02-Nov-2009
PHPP 501 Intr Pharm Prac Experiential I (1) First year pharmacy students will spend a semester in either the retail pharmacy setting or hospital pharmacy setting to observe pharmacy practice. Graded: P/NP.
PHPP 502 Int Pharm Prac Experiential II (1) The second course in the IPPE sequence will build on the skills and the knowledge of PHPP 501 to develop pharmaceutical care practice. Graded: P/NP.
PHPP 503 Intr Pharm Prac Experien III (1) Second year students will begin to develop their patient interview, chart gathering and case development and presentation skills. Students will spend one semester in community health care clinics and one semester in a long term care facility. Students will present actual patient care cases in a seminar format throughout the semester. Graded: P/NP.
PHPP 504 Intr Pharm Prac Experien IV (1) Second year pharmacy students will begin to develop patient interview, chart gathering and case development and presentation skills. Students will spend the semester either in a community health care clinic or in a long term care facility. Student will present actual patient care cases in a seminar format throughout the semester. Graded P/NP.
PHPP 505 Intr Pharm Prac Experiential V (1) Second and Third Year Pharmacy students will spend time within a hospital setting mentored by a hospital pharmacist in a clinical setting or hospital inpatient setting. Continued skill development for patient interview, patient case development, presentation skills and observing inter-disciplinary medical teams. This course is graded P/NP. (Spring 2009 Section 1 and 2) (Fall 2009 1 section)
PHPP 507 Adv Pharm Prac Exp: Ambul Care (5) This six week rotation focuses on pharmaceutical care in the ambulatory care environment where students will interface with their pharmacist preceptor, physicians, nurses and other health professional to provide services to ambulatory care patients. Some examples of ambulatory care practices will include hypertension clinics, anti-coagulation clinics, hyperlipidemia clinic, medication therapy management (MTM) services and disease state management.
PHPP 508 Intro to Biostatistics (3) This course serves as the structural framework for a career that relies heavily on the ability to understand, evaluate and communicate medical information. The student will learn basic statistical and epidemiologic skills critical for the evaluation of medical literature and for conceptualizing what constitutes truly evidence-based medicine.
PHPP 509 Adv Pharm Pract Exp: Medicine (5) This six week rotation will place students in a hospital or other acute care facility to learn about pharmaceutical care in an inpatient environment. Students will work closely with physicians and clinical pharmacists to provide services to acutely ill patients and provide clinical pharmacy services. Students may round with medical teams or be partnered with other physicians to learn more about the interface between medicine and pharmacy.
PHPP 511 Culture & Inter-Prof Hlth Care (2) The concept of health care teamwork is not new but also not well-understood. The purpose of this course is to provide a framework for optimizing teamwork in health care. Examples of how team conflicts can be minimized or avoided will be discussed. In addition, the impact of culture on pharmaceutical care and teamwork will also be discussed, stressing the importance of recognizing potential differences between individuals.
PHPP 514 Evidence-Based Medicine (4) In this course, students will learn about research methods and biostatistics necessary for the critical evaluation of medical literature. Students will be exposed to descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, probability, Type I and Type II errors, bias and confounding, sample size and statistical power, absolute and relative risk, intention-to-treat analyses, number needed to treat and confidence intervals. Students will learn how to critically evaluate medical literature and recognize errors in study design or statistical methodology and determine the internal and external validity of published research trials.
PHPP 515 Integrated Therapeutics I (7) This is the first course in a sequence of four courses. Pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and therapeutics will be integrated into one discipline in this course that will examine pharmacotherapy based on organ systems of the body. Students will learn to blend their factual knowledge of basic sciences and apply this knowledge to drug treatment of specific disorders in disparate patients. Beginning in this course the pharmacotherapy of all major diseases states covered by organ system.
PHPP 516 Integrated Therapeutics II (7) Continuation of the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pathophysiology and therapeutic use of drugs which was started in Integrated Therapeutics I. An integrated approach to the following topics will be covered: gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, renal, and pulmonary diseases.
PHPP 517 Integrated Therapeutics III (7) Continuation of pharmacotherapy of disease states by organ systems which was started in PHPP 515, Integrated Therapeutics I, and continues in PHPP 516, Integrated Therapeutics II. An integrated approach to the following topics will be covered: disease states associated with the endocrine and central nervous systems.
PHPP 518 Integrated Therapeutics IV (7) This course is a continuation of PHPP 515, 516, and 517. It will cover the topics of infectious disease and oncology in an integrated fashion.
PHPP 519 Healthcare Systems (1) The American healthcare payment system is comprised of a variety of payers and participants. Payers for healthcare services are private insurers, employer groups, Medicare and Medicaid. Other participants in the system are hospitals, government hospitals such as the VA system, staff model HMO's, and individual/corporate healthcare providers. This course will examine the unique roll of each participant as well as the current dynamics of these inter-relationships, and the sustainability of such a system in the current financial/healthcare crisis.
PHPP 520 Pharmacy Law and Ethics (3) The evolution of the practice of pharmacy has led to pharmacists facing an overwhelming number of legal issues. In addition to the standard coverage of the FD&C Act, the Controlled Substances Act and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission, this course will help student understand legal issues such as HIPAA privacy issues in the pharmacy, electronic prescribing, medication error reporting, professional liability insurance and Medicaid/Medicare issues. Current and past cases in the law will be used as practical examples of these concepts. In addition, students will participate in discussions and debates of ethical issues facing pharmacists in today's health care environment.
PHPP 521 Applied Pharmaceutical Care (3) This course will consist of workshop and case presentations to incorporate physical assessement skills and multi-disease state cases. Students will work in large and small sized groups to review patient cases and present in the SOAP format. This course will be the capstone course for the Pharmacy Practice curriculum before the Advanced Pharmacy Experiential rotations and will emphasize critical thinking and evaluation for multi-disease state patient cases as well as patient education.
PHPP 522 Pharm Practice Mgmt & Mktng (3) Regardless of the practice setting, pharmacists are called upon to be managers of people, finances and business. Most of the didactic education focuses on the basic sciences and clinical practice. The goal of this course is to teach students management principles and skills universal to all management scenarios. Students will practice skills necessary for time management organization, business planning, operations management, people management, and quality control. The course section on finance will include financial statements and analysis budgeting, 3rd party payer considerations, inventory management and labor costs. Discussion of marketing theory and application will be included.
PHPP 523 Wellness & Disease Prevention (2) This course provides students with an overview of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and how it contributes to the prevention of chronic disease. Pharmacists are key providers in helping to educate patients about wellness and disease prevention. Disease State Management (DSM) is an organized, coordinated process to manage specific disease states over the entire course of the disease to improve clinical and economic outcomes for the patient. Students will be exposed to important DSM models such as the Asheville Project in North Carolina and utilize this information in creating a disease management program.
PHPP 525 Complementary Medicine (3) This course is designed as an overview of complementary medicine. Students will be presented a balanced unbiased view of the theory and practice of some of the more popular complementary therapies such as acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and other dietary supplements.
PHPP 526 Adv Pharm Prac Exp: Comm Pract (6) Six-week rotation focuses on pharmaceutical care in the community pharmacy setting where students will work with pharmacy preceptors to learn about dispensing techniques, pharmacy databases, community pharmacy management, patient counseling, over the counter (OTC) medications, medication therapy management (MTM) and disease state management.
PHPP 543 Adv Pharm Pract Exp: Hospital (6) Six week rotation will place students in a hospital pharmacy where they will learn about unit dose systems, automated dispensing units, parenteral drugs, intravenous mixture systems, sterile produce preparation, hospital pharmacy computer systems, physician order entry, crash cart systems and DRG/ICD-9 systems used in tracking patient diagnoses and reimbursement for services.
PHPP 544 Adv Pharm Pract Exp: Elect I (6) Six-week rotation will place students in the many different areas of pharmacy practice including: adult medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, infectious disease, critical care, oncology, cardiology, psychiatry, ambulatory care, community practice, drug information, pharmacy compounding, home health care, clinical or basic sciences, research and pharmacy administration.
PHPP 550 History of Pharmacy (2) This elective is of value to appreciate the origin of pharmacy and the manner in which ancestors of the field practiced their art. These historical aspects will be discussed as well as techniques, tools, symbols, and art in pharmacy.
PHPP x94 Special Topics in Subject Matter (Arr.) (IO) Special topics chosen by the instructor. Course content will vary. May be repeated for credit, provided that a different topic is studied. Additional requirements may apply depending on subject and topic.
PHPP x99 Directed Studies (Arr.) (IO) Statement of planned reading or research required. Pre: instructor’s consent.