Pre-Pharmacy Requirements

The pre-pharmacy curriculum is similar to other health care professional beginnings, but is specially selected to give the student the best possible background to pharmacy. 

Pre-pharmacy requirements may be taken at any regionally-accredited college or university and must be completed prior to matriculation into Belmont University School of Pharmacy.  All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better or credited by receiving Advanced Placement (AP) high school credit.  Possible exemptions will be decided by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the University Registrar. 

Applicants are encouraged to work closely with their undergraduate academic advisor and map out their course of study accordingly. For students attending Belmont, Belmont University course equivalencies are listed on the  Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum for Belmont Students. Although our staff are happy to discuss specific prerequisites with applicants, they are unable to provide definitive counsel until all official transcripts have been processed by PharmCAS.

Pre-pharmacy course requirements necessitate at least two academic years study for completion:

*These prerequisites are based on semester hours.  Courses taken in quarter-based systems will be calculated at semester hour equivalents. In cases where quarter hours fall below the semester hours indicated, the school reserves the right to require additional coursework in the topic area to meet the minimum stated prerequisite.

The following course descriptions may be helpful in evaluating progress towards the completion of these requirements:

Literature (3):  A one semester course in literature required.  English and American literature satisfy this requirement, as do literature courses based on other cultures (such as French, African, classical, world, and continental) or specific modalities (such as poetry). Equivalent courses at Belmont University include ENL 2000 – ENL 4380.

English Composition (3): Belmont University’s GND 1015 or English Composition I at another institution is required.

Writing Emphasis (3):  One semester of a "writing emphasis" course such as English Composition II or any other writing courses denoted as such by a W  (i.e. BIOW ) on a transcript is required.

Biology (8): At least two courses in biology with labs are required. These courses may include general biology (equivalent to Belmont University’s BIO 1110), microbiology (equivalent to Belmont University’s BIO 3120), botany, zoology, genetics, and A&P.

Physics (4): A minimum of one course in physics with a lab is required.  Either algebra- or calculus-based is acceptable.

General Chemistry (8):  At least two courses in general chemistry equivalent to Belmont University’s CEM 1610 and 1620.  Note: in quarter-based institutions, this sequence is three courses. Each of these courses must be a standard college-level course for science majors with a lab.  General chemistry concepts include atomic structure, molecular structure and bonding, chemical reactions, periodic properties of the elements, thermochemistry, properties of gases, solid and liquid states of matter, chemistry of acids and bases, principles of chemical kinetics, precipitation reactions, elementary thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.

Organic Chemistry (8): At least two courses must be in organic chemistry equivalent to Belmont University’s CEM 3310 and 3320. Note: In the quarter-based institutions, this sequence is three courses. Each of these courses must be a standard college-level course for science majors with a lab utilizing full laboratory facilities. Organic chemistry concepts include types of carbon compounds, stereochemistry, substitution reactions, carbon compounds properties, aromatics, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and amines.

Calculus (3): A one semester calculus course is required.   Similar to Belmont University’s MTH 1210, the course should provide an introduction to analytical geometry, limits, integration, and differentiation.

Statistics (3):  A one semester course in probability and statistics such as Belmont University’s MTH 1151 is required.  Topics include descriptive measures, elementary probability distributions, sampling distributions, one and two sample inferences on means and proportions, simple linear regression, and correlation.   Business-based statistics will not fulfill this requirement.

Public Speaking (3): One semester of a public speaking course is required. Equivalent to Belmont University’s COM 1100, the course should focus on developing student skills in  presenting oral assignments to multiple audiences.

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