Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy Foundations

The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy Foundations. The B.S. in Pharmacy Foundations may be earned independent of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The B.S. in Pharmacy Foundations is open to first-year students or easily allows for transfer from the Pharm.D. program.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy Foundations does not meet the educational requirements for licensure as a pharmacist and eligibility for NAPLEX/MPJE.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy Foundations can be completed in four years with 120 credits.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge/Scientific Thinking: Seek, analyze, integrate, and apply foundational knowledge
  • Problem Solving: Use problem solving and critical thinking skills, along with an innovative mindset, to address challenges and promote positive change
  • Communication: Actively engage, listen, and communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in writing when interacting with or educating an individual, group, or organization

Years 1 & 2

Course Number Course Title Credits
BIOL 111 & 111L Biology I W/Lab 4
BIOL 203 & 204 Introductory Microbiology W/Lab 4
BIOL 207 & 209 Anatomy & Physiology I & II 6
CHEM 121, 122, 121L, 122L, 121R, & 122R General Chemistry I & II W/ Lab & Recitation 10
CHEM 211, 212, 211L, & 212L Organic Chemistry I & II W/ Lab 8
MATH 115 Calculus I 4
BRDG 101 Writing & Analysis 3
BRDG 102 Writing & Literature 3
THEO Theology-Based Course 3
BRDG 105 Intro to Ethical Reasoning 3
BRDG ### Essential Questions Seminar 3
BRDG ### Communication: Creative Expression* 3/0
BRDG ### Business/Critical Thinking 3
BRDG ### Cultural Fluency and Responsiveness* 3/0
PHIL ### Philosophy-Based Course 3
BRDG 103 IPE Health Research Statistics 1
MATH 225 Introduction to Biostatistics 3
PSYC 101 or
SOCI 101
Social and Historical Reasoning 3
PHAR 101 Pre-Professional Seminar (101) 0
PHAR 102 Pre-Professional Seminar (102) 0
PHAR 103 Pre-Professional Seminar (103) 0
PHAR 104 Pre-Professional Seminar (104) 0
Years 1 & 2 Total 67/70

Year 3 Fall

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 300 Pharmaceutical Calculations 1
PHBM 350 Biochemistry I: Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism 3
PHBM 330 Clinical Pathophysiology 4
PHCE 360/360R Pharmaceutics I/Recitation 3
PHBA 340W Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics 2
PHPR 341W Pharmacy Practice I: Patient Care Skills I 2
PHBA 310 The American Health Care System 2
PHIN 321 Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) I 0.5
PHEX 301 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) I 0.5
Year 3 Fall Total 18

Year 3 Spring

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 301 Biochemistry II: Metabolism, Protein Synthesis & Nucleic Acids 3
PHPR 444 Self-Care 2
PHBM 331 Basic and Applied Immunology 3
PHCE 361/361R Pharmaceutics II/Recitation 3
PHBM 352 Foundations in Pharmacology & Medicinal Chemistry 3
PHPR 342W Pharmacy Practice II: Patient Care Skills II 1
PHBA 311 Public Health and Epidemiology 2
PHIN 322 ABLE II 0.5
PHEX 302 CPD II 0.5
Year 3 Spring Total 18
Year 3 Total 36

Year 4 Fall/Spring

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 448 Pharmacy Practice IV: Drug Literature Evaluations 2
PHPR 400 Foundations Capstone Course 1
PHIN 469 Community Engaged Learning: Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Management 1
XXXX ### Electives 10-13
Year 4 Fall/Spring  Total 14-17

*Pre-Professional courses often meet more than one Bridges requirement at a time. If all Bridges requirements are not met in 67 credits, students are required to take additional coursework to meet those requirements and to progress to the Professional Phase. For more information about the Bridges curriculum, please refer to the Bridges curriculum guide.