Pharmacy

Of the various health professionals, pharmacists have the greatest interest in medicaments. In general, pharmacists focus on the identification, compounding, and dispersing of drugs (medicines). Pharmacists employ their knowledge of drug effectiveness, limitations, uses, and side effects to advise patients of the proper use of drugs.

There are four colleges of pharmacy in Texas: the University of Texas at Austin (UT), the University of Houston (UH), Texas Tech University, and Texas Southern University (TSU).

The following courses will meet the requirements of the four pharmacy schools:

Biol 1406, 1407, 2420*. Chem 1411, 1412, 3411, 3412. PEGA 2 semesters.

Eng1 1301, 1302 (or 1374), 2 soph lit. Math 2376 (or 2413), 1342. Hist 1301, 1302.

Pols 2301, 2302. Phys 1401. Comm 1315.

Fine art (3 hr as in LU core)**. Soc Sci (3 hr as in LU core).

* replace with Biol 3428 for TSU.

**replace with 6 hr from Phil 1370, Arts 1303/1304, Hist 1301/1302 for UH.

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). The PCAT is a test for applicants seeking admission to colleges of pharmacy. It is designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge. The extent to which the test results are used in deciding whether an applicant will be admitted to a college of pharmacy varies from school to school. PCAT results of are combined with other information in determining admission, such as college grades, evaluations and results of personal interviews. The PCAT is offered three times each year, usually in February, April and November. It is a four-hour test including verbal ability, quantitative ability, biology, chemistry, and reading comprehension. Applicants are encouraged to take the test in February of the year they plan to enter the school. Information regarding the PCAT may be obtained in the registration booklet available in Chemistry, Room 217 or by writing:

Pharmacy College Admission Test

The Psychological Corporation

555 Academic Court

San Antonio, TX 78204

More information on the pharmacy profession, the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), a list of accredited pharmacy programs, and a financial aid publication may be obtained from:

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Publications Department

1426 Prince Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Another free booklet with pharmacy information and addresses of all colleges of pharmacy in the United States is Opportunities in Pharmacy: Today and Tomorrow and may be obtained from:

Director of Trade Relations

Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation

P.O. Box 300, Route 202

Raritan, NJ 08869

For further information on pharmacy schools, a prospective applicant should contact the Preprofessional Office, Room 203-B, Carl Parker building.