PharmD Prerequisites
Before enrolling in the PharmD program, students must complete the following courses. However, they do not all have to be completed by the time of application. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. Prerequisite courses cannot be double counted (for example, one course can not count for two or more prerequisites). At least one year of the required prepharmacy courses must be completed in a U.S. or Canadian University.
General, Descriptive Categories
|
Subject |
Semesters/Quarters |
Additional information |
|---|---|---|
|
Biology |
2 semesters 3 quarters |
Introductory biology course sequence for pre health students.
Full year sequence is required. Lab is not required.
AP credit with a score of 4 or 5 will satisfy the prerequisite for biology. |
|
Biochemistry |
1 semester 1 quarter |
Introductory biochemistry course that covers the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms.
Does not require lab component. |
|
Calculus |
1 semester 1 quarter |
College level calculus course.
AP credit with a score of 4 or 5 will satisfy the prerequisite for calculus. |
|
General Chemistry, with lab |
2 semesters 3 quarters |
Introductory general/inorganic chemistry course sequence.
Full year sequence is required.
AP credit with a score of 3 or higher will satisfy the prerequisite for general chemistry. |
|
Organic Chemistry, with lab |
2 semesters 3 quarters |
Introductory organic chemistry course sequence.
Full year sequence is required.
AP credit for organic chemistry is not accepted. |
|
English composition |
1 semester 1 quarter |
Introductory composition course.
AP credit is not accepted.
Acceptable courses can fall under the category of humanities, social sciences, political science, etc. so long as the course is writing intensive with critical feedback. |
|
Genetics |
1 semester 1 quarter |
Introductory genetics course.
Acceptable courses must cover the science of genetics. Evolutionary and population genetics courses are not acceptable. |
|
Human anatomy |
1-2 semesters 1-3 quarters |
An anatomy course that covers the entire human body. May require two or more course sequences to cover the entire human body.
Animal/mammalian anatomy does not meet this prerequisite.
Physiology is not a substitute for Human Anatomy; however a combined Anatomy and Physiology course sequence that covers the entire human body is acceptable. |
|
Human physiology |
1-2 semesters 1-3 quarters |
Introductory physiology course that deals with functions and activities physical and chemical processes in humans.
Animal/mammalian physiology does not meet this prerequisite.
Human Anatomy is not a substitute for Physiology; however a combined Anatomy and Physiology course sequence that covers the entire human body is acceptable. |
|
Microbiology, with lab |
1 semester 1 quarter |
Introductory microbiology course with lab for pre health students.
A separate lab course is acceptable if a primary course does not have a lab component. |
|
Physics, with lab |
1 semester 1 quarter |
Introductory physics course with lab for pre health students
One course with lab is required. Can be algebra or calculus-based physics.
AP credit with a score of 4 or 5 will satisfy the prerequisite for physics. |
|
Statistics |
1 semester 1 quarter |
Introductory statistics course for pre health students. Biostatistics courses are accepted.
AP credit with a score of 4 or higher will satisfy the prerequisite for statistics.
A course that includes ANOVA, chi square tests and multiple regression/multiple comparisons is strongly recommended. |
|
Humanities or foreign language |
2 semesters 3 quarters |
Humanities courses are related to the study of human culture. The humanities include ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy, religion, and visual and performing arts such as music and theatre.
AP credit with a score of 4 or higher.will be accepted for one of the two courses required, |
|
Social science |
2 semesters 3 quarters |
Social science courses are concerned with society and the relationships among individuals within a society. They can include anthropology, economics, political science, psychology and sociology.
AP credit with a score of 4 or higher.will be accepted for one of the two courses required, |
University of Michigan Ann Arbor Course Equivalents
The following courses are offered at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus and satisfy the PharmD prerequisites for students enrolling at UM as undergraduate or guest students. All other applicants must satisfy the prerequisite courses using the table above as a guide.
| Subject | Semesters |
| Biology: 171, 172 | 2 |
| Biochemistry: Biolchem 415 or Chem 351 or MCDB 310 | 1 |
| Chemistry: 125/126/130, 210/211, 215/216, 260 or 230 | 4 |
| English composition: 124/125 or equivalent | 1 |
| Genetics: Biology 305 | 1 |
| Human anatomy: Anatomy 403 | 1 |
| Humanities or foreign language | 2 |
| Mathematics: One of the following: 115, 116, 156, 175, or 185 | 1 |
|
Microbiology: 405/350 (Microbio 301 was renumbered to 405 effective Fall 2016. Students that took Microbio 301 before this change have met the lecture portion of this prerequisite). |
1 |
| Physics: 150/151 or equivalent | 1 |
| Human physiology: Physiol 201 or 502 | 1 |
| Social Sciences | 2 |
| Statistics: 250 | 1 |
