Concentration in Biology: Pre-pharmacy program
Career Options
If students do well in this program of study, they will be competitive with students from other universities applying for entry into professional Pharmacy programs. The "2+4" program enables a student to complete the Pharm.D. degree.
A two-year program of study prepares students to apply to a four-year doctoral program in pharmacy (a 2+4 program). Most schools and colleges of pharmacy require 60-75 credits in their two-year pre-pharmacy phase, depending on the number of general education credits required. Individual programs vary in the general education courses they require, e.g., economics, social science, humanities, and fine arts, so students should consult those programs accordingly. This two-year nondegree program is a time-intensive program that students will need to commit to upon entering the university. Students are encouraged to take summer courses to reduce the number of credits taken each semester. If students choose not to take summer courses, they should consider extending the program to three years. The pre-pharmacy program is not a degree program, but if students decide not to transfer after two years, they will be well along the path toward earning a B.S. in biology. For further information, consult Dr. Patricia O'Mahoney-Damon (pato "at" usm.maine.edu, 780.4263).
Courses & Requirements
The minimum number of credits, including general education courses, required for the emphasis in pre-pharmacy: 79. A grade of C- or higher is required for all courses listed below, which includes biology as well as additional courses in other departments. Complete descriptions of biology courses may be found under Course List.
Download requirement checklists for the following academic years:
Required Biology Courses
| BIO 105 | Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 106 | Biological Principles: Laboratory Biology | 1.5 Credits |
| BIO 107 | Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology | 4.5 Credits |
| BIO 111 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 112 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory | 1.5 Credits |
| BIO 211 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3.0 Credits |
| BIO 212 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | 1.5 Credits |
The following courses are also required:
Chemistry
| CHY 113 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3.0 Credits |
| CHY 114 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1.0 Credits |
| CHY 115 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3.0 Credits |
| CHY 116 | Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory | 1.0 Credits |
| CHY 251 | Organic Chemistry I | 3.0 Credits |
| CHY 252 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2.0 Credits |
| CHY 253 | Organic Chemistry II | 3.0 Credits |
| CHY 254 | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 2.0 Credits |
Physics
| PHY 111 | Elements of Physics I | 4.0 Credits |
| PHY 114 | Elements of Physics I Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
| PHY 112 | Elements of Physics II | 4.0 Credits |
| PHY 116 | Elements of Physics II Laboratory | 1.0 Credit |
Mathematics
| MAT 152 | Calculus A | 4.0 Credits |
| MAT 220 | Statistics for the Biological Sciences | 4.0 Credits |
Other required courses
| ENG 100 | College Writing | 3.0 Credits |
| ENG 120 | Introduction to Literature | 3.0 Credits |
| PSY101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 Credits |
| SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 Credits |
| THE 170 | Public Speaking | 3.0 Credits |
In addition, students must fulfill an additional 6-9 credits of general education electives, and some programs recommend three credits of Economics. Students should consult entrance requirements for specific programs.
|
| |
Year 1 |
|
|
Fall semester |
|
|
BIO 105 | Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology | 3 |
BIO 106 | Laboratory Biology | 1.5 |
CHY 113 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
CHY 114 | Laboratory Techniques I | 1 |
ENG 100 | College Writing | 3 |
EYE | Entry Year Experience | 4 |
| Total credits | 15.5 |
Spring semester |
|
|
BIO 107 | Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity and Evolution | 4.5 |
CHY 115 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
CHY 116 | Laboratory Techniques II | 1 |
ENG 120 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
THE 170 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Total credits | 14.5 |
Summer session |
|
|
PHY 111 | Elements of Physics I | 4 |
PHY 114 | Introductory Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
PHY 112 | Elements of Physics II | 4 |
PHY 116 | Introductory Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| 10 | |
Year 2 |
|
|
Fall semester |
|
|
BIO 111 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
BIO 112 | Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 1.5 |
CHY 251 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CHY 252 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
MAT 152 | Calculus A | 4 |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3 |
| Total credits | 16.5 |
Spring semester |
|
|
BIO 211 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
BIO 212 | Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 1.5 |
CHY 253 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
CHY 254 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
MAT 220 | Statistics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Total credits | 17 |
Summer session* |
|
|
Economics | Introduction to Macroeconomics or Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
General Education electives | e.g., ART, PHI, HTY | 6 – 9 |
| Total credits | 9 – 12 |
|
|
* general education requirements vary by program so check individual program requirements
USM Social Dashboard »
Check out our new Social Dashboard to see other ways to stay connected across the USM community.