Year 1 Curriculum

Pharmacy Practice and Self-Care Therapeutics I

An introductory foundation to the profession of pharmacy based on OTC medications, alternative therapies, patient assessment and counseling skills, point-of-care testing, pharmaceutical calculations, and prescription practice.

Pharmacy Law and Ethics

Law and ethics of pharmacy practice, including key drug and pharmacy laws; the nature and scope of pharmacist practice, drug manufacturing, compounding, preparation, dispensing, and record-keeping; the role of various government agencies; potential bases for discipline or other liability; and licensure requirements.

Pharmaceutical Sciences I 

First of a two-part series that introduces foundational concepts in drug design, structure, and interaction at the molecular level. Students explore key principles, including drug-target binding, kinetics, physiochemical properties, and structure-activity relationships. The course also examines different classes of therapeutic molecules, including natural products, nucleic acids, antibodies, and antibiotics, as well as drug metabolism and prodrug strategies.

Principles of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Anatomy I 

This foundational course for first-year pharmacy students introduces principles of physiology, pharmacology, and anatomy across all major organ systems, emphasizing molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate normal function and drug action as preparation for later studies in therapeutics. Topics include the cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, and gastrointestinal system.

Cardiovascular System 

This course provides insight into the physiology of the heart and vascular system and its related pharmacology. A basic understanding of this fascinating organ system is crucial for all those with medical and pharmacy/pharmacology careers, regardless of the ultimate field of study. This four-week block of lectures, small groups, team-based learning, and laboratory sessions is designed to provide the student with a fundamental knowledge of the workings of the cardiovascular system and its underlying mechanisms, and how its normal state is affected by physiologic and pharmacologic alterations.

Pulmonary System 

This course provides the anatomical and structural basis for the mechanics of moving air into and out of the lungs. Interpretation of pulmonary function tests provides insight into the conditions or disorders that modify lung mechanics. The lectures then describe the elements of gas exchange, including partial pressures and concentrations from air to alveoli to arterial blood, and the arterial blood gas measurements used clinically. Changes in gas exchange caused by anemia, carbon monoxide, and exercise are explored, and these lectures culminate in the causes of hypoxemia and distinguishing between them. The final lectures cover removal of particulates, pharmacology, and extreme altitude.

Gastrointestinal System

The overall course goal is to provide the physiologic basis for understanding the functions of the GI tract, liver, pancreas, and salivary glands, and to introduce the pharmacologic principles that guide treatments targeting these systems. 

Pharmacy Practice and Self-Care Therapeutics II

Second of a two-part series continuing the introduction to the profession of pharmacy.

Principles of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Anatomy II

This foundational course for first-year pharmacy students introduces principles of physiology, pharmacology, and anatomy across all major organ systems, emphasizing molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate normal function and drug action as preparation for later studies in therapeutics. Topics include the renal system and neurology.

Study Design and Biostatistics I

Students learn critical appraisal skills and statistical concepts for biomedical literature necessary for clinical decision-making. Elements of hypothesis, p-values, power, significance, populations, procedures, methods, validity, ethics, execution, analysis, and reporting are presented.

Renal System

This course provides a physiologic framework for understanding how the kidney maintains homeostasis despite widely variable physical demands and dietary intake. The regulation of blood chemistry depends on the kidney's ability to generate a highly variable urinary output rather than fixed "normal values" for urine composition. In addition to regulating water balance, electrolytes, nitrogenous waste excretion, and acid-base status, the kidney also performs essential endocrine functions by producing erythropoietin and activating vitamin D. Together, these functions highlight the kidney's central role as a regulator of both exocrine and endocrine physiology.

Principles of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Anatomy III

This foundational course for first-year pharmacy students introduces principles of physiology, pharmacology, and anatomy across all major organ systems, emphasizing molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate normal function and drug action as preparation for later studies in therapeutics. Topics include endocrinology, reproduction, metabolism, immunology, hematology, oncology, and microbiology. 

Endocrinology, Reproduction, and Metabolism

This course offers an integrated introduction to the physiology of the human endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic systems. Major course objectives are to impart an understanding of the biochemical principles underlying metabolism, the mechanisms of hormone action, and the endocrine system's role in regulating homeostasis and reproduction. The last week of the course will explore the basic function and physiology of male and female reproduction. Finally, you will learn about the female reproductive lifespan from the menstrual cycle to pregnancy and menopause.

Immunology

This course combines basic immunology and immunology case studies. The combined course will juxtapose the basic principles of immunology with the clinically correlated immune disorder. Because the content includes basic and clinical immunology, the course is taught by basic scientists, physician scientists, and clinicians who are experts in their fields of immunology.

Hematology

This course introduces the fundamental principles of hematology, including the biology and physiology of blood, blood-forming tissues, and disorders of the hematologic system. Because blood perfuses and sustains every organ and tissue in the body, hematologic function and dysfunction have broad relevance across all areas of medicine. Building upon concepts introduced in Immunology, the course expands the study of normal and abnormal function to include red blood cells, platelets, and the hemostatic system. Emphasis is placed on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and laboratory evaluation of common hematologic disorders. As a key transition point in the pre-clinical curriculum, this course shifts focus from normal physiology to disease mechanisms and clinical correlations.

Microbiology

In this course, students will learn the basic biology of microbial pathogens, the mechanisms by which they cause disease, the host's defenses against microbial infection, and the principles of antimicrobial therapy. Our objective is to help you establish a useful body of knowledge relevant to treating and preventing infectious diseases and to provide a basic framework to add to throughout your career.

Community Pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE)

Concentrated 3-Week Rotations

Preceptors within pharmacy settings (i.e., independent, chain or health-system community) provide a supervised experience, where students will:

• Gain experience with the various roles of pharmacists in the delivery of health care services in community pharmacy practice
• Provide direct patient-oriented medication delivery and health care to a diverse patient population
• Practice appropriate communications with patients
• Apply introductory concepts from clinical didactic course work
• Gain experience in direct patient care, promotion of wellness, and disease prevention

Community Pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE)

Longitudinal Rotations (Fall, Winter or Spring Quarter)

Students gain experience with the various roles of pharmacists in the delivery of health care services in community pharmacy practice settings. Students are assigned to a once-weekly IPPE at a community pharmacy in either the fall, winter or spring quarter.

Preceptors within pharmacy settings (i.e., independent, chain or health-system community) provide a supervised experience, where students will:

• Gain experience with the various roles of pharmacists in the delivery of health care services in community pharmacy practice
• Provide direct patient-oriented medication delivery and health care to a diverse patient population
• Practice appropriate communications with patients
• Apply introductory concepts from clinical didactic course work
• Gain experience in direct patient care, promotion of wellness, and disease prevention

Service Learning IPPE

Longitudinal Rotations

All of our students are required to complete 30 hours of service learning IPPEs by the end of the winter in P3 year. Examples of types of activities for which students can receive service-learning hours include:

• Conducting health screenings at health fairs
• Educating patients at health fairs
• Volunteering at the UC San Diego Student-Run Free Clinic Project

Thriving for Success in Pharmacy through Continuous Professional Development I

This longitudinal course introduces pharmacy students to the principles of continuous professional development essential for success in their pharmacy careers. Students will build knowledge and skills in professionalism, leadership, career development, and personal wellness.

Scientific Inquiry and Clinical Practice I

In this course, students will interpret and critically analyze primary peer-reviewed literature to strengthen scientific proficiency and critical thinking skills, and to apply current best evidence in the clinical decision-making process. 

Pharm.D. Required Student Research Project

Completing a research project is required of all students and is a prerequisite for graduation. Students are encouraged to consider potential projects beginning in their first year. Students may complete their research project in any academic year. For Pharm.D./Ph.D. program students, completion of the Ph.D. thesis project will satisfy this graduation project requirement.