Year 2 Curriculum

Pharmaceutical Sciences II

Second of a two-part series providing a systematic review of different classes of drug targets.

Introduction to Pharmacotherapy

Preparation for the integrated pharmacotherapy blocks by introducing core concepts such as the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP), pharmacogenomics, and principles of advanced pharmacy practice. Students will begin to apply foundational knowledge to clinical processes.

Cardiopulmonary I

Focused on therapeutic drug management across a range of disease states. Students will apply principles of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacotherapy, patient assessment, clinical pharmacokinetics, and the social and behavioral aspects of medical management. Emphasis is placed on the integration of laboratory medicine, interpretation of clinical data, therapeutic drug monitoring, and recognition and management of drug interactions and adverse effects. The course also supports the development of clinical reasoning, communication, and patient care skills related to the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders.

Study Design and Biostatistics II

Second of a two-part series continuing critical appraisal skills and statistical concepts.

Pharmaceutics I

First in a three-part series presenting an understanding of the fundamentals of biopharmaceutics and clinical pharmacokinetics, including the major physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence systemic availability of drugs from their dosage forms and rates of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in humans. Topics include rates and extent of absorption, gastrointestinal transit and physiologic considerations, membrane transport, first pass effects, parenteral and oral absorption, dissolution, bioequivalence, immediate and modified release, drug clearance, volume of distribution, and elimination of half-life. Emphasis will be placed on understanding pharmacokinetics in the normal state and will also use examples of change in pharmacokinetic parameters due to drug interactions, concurrent diseases and genetic differences.

Endocrinology, Reproduction, Metabolism, and Men's and Women's Health

Focused on therapeutic drug management across a range of disease states. Students will apply principles of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacotherapy, patient assessment, clinical pharmacokinetics, and the social and behavioral aspects of medical management. Emphasis is placed on the integration of laboratory medicine, interpretation of clinical data, therapeutic drug monitoring, and recognition and management of drug interactions and adverse effects. The course also supports the development of clinical reasoning, communication, and patient care skills related to the treatment of endocrine, reproductive, metabolomic, and men's and women's health disorders.

Gastrointestinal and Liver

Focused on therapeutic drug management across a range of disease states. Students will apply principles of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacotherapy, patient assessment, clinical pharmacokinetics, and the social and behavioral aspects of medical management. Emphasis is placed on the integration of laboratory medicine, interpretation of clinical data, therapeutic drug monitoring, and recognition and management of drug interactions and adverse effects. The course also supports the development of clinical reasoning, communication, and patient care skills related to the treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disorders.

Renal and Genitourinary

Focused on therapeutic drug management across a range of disease states. Students will apply principles of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacotherapy, patient assessment, clinical pharmacokinetics, and the social and behavioral aspects of medical management. Emphasis is placed on the integration of laboratory medicine, interpretation of clinical data, therapeutic drug monitoring, and recognition and management of drug interactions and adverse effects. The course also supports the development of clinical reasoning, communication, and patient care skills related to the treatment of renal and genitourinary disorders.

Pharmacy Informatics

Students will learn fundamental skills in pharmacy information technologies and their impact on the practice of pharmacy.

Pharmaceutics II

Second in a three-part series building on foundational principles by integrating scientific, clinical, and commercial perspectives on drug formulation and delivery. Emphasis is placed on evaluating and optimizing drug delivery systems, preparing students to address real-world challenges in developing and administering therapeutic agents.

Pharmaceutics III

Third in a three-part series. This course complements biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics and presents a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles necessary to administer therapeutic agents. This includes review of the chemical, physical chemical, and physiologic barriers necessary for drug delivery; the vehicle for drug delivery; systems used for drug delivery; routes of administration; standards for formulation; FDA regulations; testing standards; expiration standards; and labeling.

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases I

Focused on therapeutic drug management across a range of disease states. Students will apply principles of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacotherapy, patient assessment, clinical pharmacokinetics, and the social and behavioral aspects of medical management. Emphasis is placed on the integration of laboratory medicine, interpretation of clinical data, therapeutic drug monitoring, and recognition and management of drug interactions and adverse effects. The course also supports the development of clinical reasoning, communication, and patient care skills related to the treatment of microbial disorders and infectious diseases.

Hospital/Health-System IPPE

Concentrated 2-Week Rotation

Preceptors within hospital/health system pharmacy settings provide supervised experiences, where students will:

• Describe the roles of pharmacists in the delivery of health care services in health-system/hospital settings
• Provide patient-oriented medication delivery and health care to a diverse patient population
• Practice effective communication with members of the health care team
• Apply concepts from clinical didactic course work to health-systems settings
• Gain proficiency in roles related to assessing patient data and reviewing and evaluating medication orders
• Experience product delivery and operations management

Institutional Pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE)

Student pharmacists will learn the various roles of pharmacists in the delivery of health care services in the institutional health systems setting. Students will have the opportunity to provide direct patient-oriented medication delivery and health care to a diverse patient population, and practice effective communication with members of the health care team. Through this supervised experience, the student will be able to apply concepts from clinical didactic course work to situations to ensure competencies in patient care, management and use of resources, and efficiency within institutional health-system settings. In addition to gaining proficiency in roles related to assessing patient data and reviewing and evaluating medications orders, students will also experience product delivery and operations management.

Thriving for Success in Pharmacy through Continuous Professional Development II

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 II

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 PharmD/PhD program students, completion of the Ph.D. thesis project will satisfy this graduation project requirement.