Pre-Pharmacy Requirements
Applicants to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program may complete their pre-pharmacy work at WSU, a community college, or any accredited four-year university.
Pre-Pharmacy Course List
All courses listed on the Pre-Pharmacy Course List below are considered prerequisites and may not be taken during the first professional year. Also, all prerequisites must be completed with a C- or higher.
The course information on this page is intended to serve as a guide and is not an official evaluation of transcripts. Applicants to the program will have their transcripts evaluated and will be notified during the admission process if the courses taken will meet the prerequisites for the program.
If you have any questions about pharmacy prerequisites or applying to the WSU doctor of pharmacy program you can also book an admissions advising appointment.
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Organic Chemistry*
Semester School 7-8 credits | Quarter School 15 credits
Must complete full series with labs for science majors. Two semesters (7-8 credits) or three quarters (15 credits) of an organic chemistry series is required including at least 1 lab Comprehensive organic course covers structure, bonding, molecular properties, an overview of organic reactions, and stereochemistry, with emphasis on the properties and chemical reactivity, mechanisms, nomenclature and spectroscopy (IR, UV, NMR, MS) of the following organic functional groups: alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes and alkylhalides, aromatic compounds (benzene), alcohols, thiols, ethers, epoxides, sulfides, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives (acid halides, acid anhydrides, esters, amides, and nitriles), carbonyl alpha-substitution reactions, carbonyl condensation reactions, aliphatic amines, arylamines and phenols, biomolecules (carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, lipids, heterocycles and nucleic acids).
The WSU series is Chemistry 345 and 348.
Biochemistry*
Semester School 4 credits | Quarter School 5 credits
One semester (4 credits) or one quarter (5 credits) biochemistry for undergraduate science majors: Structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and biological membranes; principles of enzymology; major metabolic pathways, DNA structure and repair, RNA structure and transcription, regulation of transcription, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, basic population genetics. Must be upper-division to fulfill the requirement, or evaluated to be equivalent.
The WSU course is MBioS 303.
Microbiology*
Semester School 3-5 credits | Quarter School 5 credits
One semester (3-5 credits) or one quarter (5 credits) of a general microbiology course. Introduction to the study of bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, spirochetes, fungi and protozoa with emphasis on structure, function, nutrition, physiology, and genetics of microbes and their application to immunology, pathology, microbial diversity, and environmental microbiology.
The WSU course equivalent is MBios 305.
Human Anatomy with lab*
Semester School 4 credits | Quarter School 5-10 credits
One semester course (4 credits) that includes gross and microscopic anatomy of the human body. Must include lab. May take integrated Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters, 8 credits or 3 quarters, 15 credits) with labs. See Physiology below. Upper division course is preferred.
The WSU course is Biol 315.
Physiology*
Semester School 4 credits | Quarter School 5-10 credits
One semester course ( 4 credits) examining function and control at the cell-tissue level, and at the organ-organismic level including each of the major organ systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, neural and gastrointestinal) as well as basic concepts of cellular physiology. Must include lab. Emphasis on mammalian/human physiology. May take integrated Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters, 8 credits or 3 quarters, 15 credits) with labs. See Anatomy above. Upper division course is preferred.
The WSU course is Biol 353 or Neuro 425 and Neuro 426.
Algebra, Pre-Calculus or higher*
Semester School 3-4 credits | Quarter School 5 credits
One semester (3-4 credits) or one quarter (5 credits) of Algebra, Pre-Calculus or higher level math class.
The WSU courses are Math 106, 140, 171 or 202.
Statistics*
Semester School 3-4 credits | Quarter School 5 credits
One semester (3-4 credits) or one quarter (5 credits) of a Statistics course. Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Interpretation of estimates, confidence intervals, and significance tests. Elementary concepts of probability and sampling; binomial and normal distributions. Basic concepts of hypothesis testing, estimation, and confidence intervals; t-tests and chi-square tests. Linear regression theory and the analysis of variance.
The WSU course is Stat 212.
Arts and Humanities Courses**
Semester School 12-15 credits | Quarter School 12-15 credits
At least one course must be an English Writing/Composition class. Other courses may be selected by choice.
*The science courses on this list must be completed by the end of the spring term before beginning the PharmD program.
**These courses may be completed by the end of the summer term before beginning the PharmD program.
What if I took a prerequisite course several years ago?
As a general rule, upper-division science coursework should be no more than seven years old at the time of application. However, each situation is reviewed on an individual basis. Please contact us at (509) 368-6605 for more information.
Transcript evaluations
Contact us for transcript evaluations, course equivalencies, or to arrange a campus visit at pharmacy.admissions@wsu.edu or 509-368-6605.