Introduction
The College of Health Professions offers a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree that articulates directly with the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Toxicology & Chemistry (ET&C) Emphasis. This 3-year/3-year pathway program outlines a path for students majoring in ET&C to pursue guaranteed admission interviews and consideration for early admission into the School of Pharmacy (SOP). For eligible students, this program aims to nurture career interests, provide enriching pre-professional development, and pave a way for success in receiving both a BS and a PharmD degree in 6 years instead of the 7 that would be the case if they took these two programs separately.
To utilize this route, all A&S core coursework requirements, PharmD prerequisites, specified ET&C classes, and a minimum of 105.5 total credits should be completed by the end of the 3rd academic year. Students are encouraged to apply to the PharmD by September of their third year in order to begin coursework in the SOP for the 4th academic year. Specific coursework completed during the first year in the PharmD program (the 4th academic year) will satisfy the remaining requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
These students also are required to deliver a formal public presentation overview of their research work in the SOP to complete the A&S Capstone requirement. The undergraduate diploma will be conferred at the traditional spring commencement ceremony of the student’s 4th year. If a student is not accepted into the SOP program, s/he will have the opportunity to complete the ET&C emphasis during the traditional time-frame with little to no complications.
Undergraduate students may apply to the program after completing the first year of the BS in Environmental Science, ET&C. This timing allows students to complete sufficient coursework to assess their interest in pharmacy and whether they meet initial qualifications for entering the cooperative program.
Students can be admitted to the program after completing the first year of courses, if they complete all courses with a grade of C or better including:
- HUM 100
- BIOL 200 & 201
- CHEM 220 & 230
- MATH 226
Students completing these courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will be granted a formal interview in the SOP (fall of sophomore year), which is a contributing factor in the admissions decision. If students have a successful interview, they will be admitted conditionally to the SOP PharmD program (students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and earn a grade of C or higher in all courses). Students who do not have a successful interview will continue in the cooperative program and will be guaranteed an interview when applying to the SOP during their junior year.
Students participating in the cooperative program must complete the following requirements, in addition to the College of Arts and Sciences core requirements, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and earn a grade of C or higher in all courses. Students whose GPAs fall below a cumulative 3.0 in College of Arts and Sciences core requirements may be granted permission to continue participation in the cooperative program, on a case-by-case basis.
The 45 credits distinctive to the ET&C Core are preserved, with three substitutions allowed:
- ENV 200 is replaced with PHRM 524 Pharmaceutics & Biopharmaceutics, 5.5 credits
- ENV 490 is replaced with PHRM 500 Pharmacy Foundations, 10 credits
The ET&C Group I courses involves the following substitutions:
- CHEM 380 waived, the content is in PHRM 500 Pharmacy Foundations
The ET&C Group II courses involves the following substitutions:
- CHEM 360 is replaced with PHRM 523 Pharmacokinetics, 3 credits
Complete the following SOP prerequisites:
- BIOL 308 Microbiology, 4 credits
- MEDA 110 Introduction to Communication, 4 credits
- PSY 150 Introduction to Psychology, 4 credits
- HBIO 230/230L & 231/231L Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Lab, 8 credits
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (courses from ANTH, POLS, SOC, or PSY), 4 credits
- ECON 101 Economics of Social Issues, 4 credits
or
- ECON 102 Economics of Markets & Governments, 4 credits
- Humanities/Fine Arts courses (HIST, REL, PHIL, ENGL, THEA, ARTST, DANC, MUS), 4 credits
Program Length
Four years for a complete BS degree. Two years for students transferring in with an AAOT degree. Program length may vary depending upon the student’s course load and academic progress.
Program Learning Outcomes
A student completing a major in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology shall demonstrate the ability to:
- Synthesize and apply concepts from multiple sub-disciplines in environmental chemistry and toxicology.
- Use technical and analytical skills to quantify the level and effects of xenobiotics in environmental compartments (air, water, soil, biota).
- Identify relationships between chemical exposure and effects on physiological systems and design strategies for study of dose-response relationships.
- Effectively understand and convey scientific material from peer-reviewed sources.
- Conduct an individual research project within the university of other appropriate settings.