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Pre-Pharmacy Program

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College of Pharmacy and College of Arts & Sciences
Director: Susan I. Jarvi, Ph.D.
Advising Specialist: Donna Ohora, PB14-7
prepharm@hawaii.edu, (808) 933-3162, http://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu/prepharmacy/

Pacific Pre-pharmacy Program

College of Pharmacy
34 Rainbow Drive
Co-Directors: Susan Jarvi, Ph.D. and Anthony Wright, Ph.D.
pacpharm@hawaii.edu, http://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu/prepharmpac/

The UH Hilo Pre-pharmacy Program, offered by the College of Pharmacy and the College of Arts & Sciences, is a minimum two-year comprehensive preparatory program of study toward admittance into the professional curriculum leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (Pharm.D.). The Pre-pharmacy Program is not a major at UH Hilo. Completion of the curriculum, however, provides students with the necessary background toward successful application to and completion of the four-year Pharm.D. curriculum.

The UH Hilo Pre-pharmacy Program is a statewide program; students completing their coursework at any accredited College or University in the state of Hawaiʻi have the opportunity to participate in the UH Hilo Pre-pharmacy Program. The Pacific Pre-pharmacy program, launched in 2008 through the College of Pharmacy, extends the option for participation to US-affiliated Pacific region students. All participating students receive specialized advising toward the development of an academic plan and guidance on the application process to Pharmacy schools. Admission into and completion of the Pre-pharmacy Program does not guarantee admission into the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy.

Curricula

Curriculum requirements include a total of 68–69 credit hours (30–31 general education, 36 core science credit hours, and 2 credit hours Pre-pharmacy Orientation). The coursework is structurally aligned with the curriculum requirements toward a BA or BS degree in Biology or Chemistry at UH Hilo. Details of course listings and transfer tables are available at: http://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu/prepharmacy/ for the UH Hilo Pre-pharmacy Program and http://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu/prepharmpac/ for the Pacific Pre-pharmacy Program.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Pre-pharmacy Program is to develop and expand academic options, advising, mentorship, and community service opportunities for students from Hawai’i and US-affiliated Pacific regions for fulfillment of pre-pharmacy academic requirements and other pre-professional preparatory experiences toward successful application to the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy, or other institutions. Enrollment in the Pre-pharmacy Orientation course IS 201 is required of all participating students. This course provides students with background regarding the role of pharmacists in the community and in clinical settings, and familiarizes students with research opportunities and faculty at the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy.

IS 201 Course Description: This course is a hybrid on-campus/distance-learning course and is requisite for the Pre-pharmacy Program at UH Hilo. It familiarizes students with the academic requirements of the Pre-pharmacy Program and Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. Lectures cover clinical, technical, and ethical responsibilities of a pharmacist in the 21st century, allow students to become familiar with job opportunities for pharmacists, and assist students in the application process for admission into a College of Pharmacy.

The Community Partnership Program strives to advance partnerships between participating community organizations and Pre-pharmacy students. Students can reach out to the community and impart their knowledge and skills toward the betterment of the community. In turn they gain understanding, insight, and awareness of how they may better serve their community. Students will be required to log a minimum of 20 hours at sponsoring community sites.

Prospects and suggestions for students

This program prepares students toward successful application to colleges of Pharmacy. Students also have the option to complete a four year undergraduate degree program during and after completion of their pre-pharmacy requirements, thereby expanding their career options after graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to start their freshman year with CHEM 124/L and CHEM 125/L which are prerequisites for Organic Chemistry (CHEM 241/L and CHEM 242/L). Students also are encouraged to take the math placement exam during their freshman year. All prerequisite coursework must have a letter grade of C or better.

Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the University and their individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once a semester to decide on courses, check progress towards graduation, and discuss career options and other educational opportunities provided by UH Hilo. Advising is a shared responsibility, but students have final responsibility for meeting degree requirements.

GROUP 1. General Education Requirements (and Assigned Semester Hours)

  • English composition (3)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (Math 205) (4)
  • World Cultures (6)
  • Humanities (6)
  • Social Sciences (6)
  • Speech (3)
  • Economics (3)

GROUP 1 Total: 31 semester hours

GROUP 2. Natural Science Requirements

  • BIOL 175-175L Introduction to Biology I (4)
  • BIOL 176-176L Introduction to Biology II (4)
  • CHEM 124-124L General Chemistry I (4)
  • CHEM 125-125L General Chemistry II (4)
  • CHEM 241-241L Organic Chemistry I (4)
  • CHEM 242-242L Organic Chemistry II (4)
  • BIOL 243-243L Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
  • BIOL 244-244L Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4)
  • BIOL 275-275L or 375-375L Microbiology (4)

GROUP 2 Total: 36 semester hours

GROUP 3. Courses from Related Fields

  • IS 201 Pre-Pharmacy Orientation* 2

* Please note: IS 201 is highly recommended, but not required, for admission to the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy.