Pharmacy and Pharmacology Schools
Pharmacy
OPTION I: Attend Furman for 2 years, taking a course scheduled as shown. Transfer to a school of pharmacy after the sophomore year. Following an additional 3 years of study, the latter institution would grant the BS degree.
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Freshman |
Mth 10 or 11 Chm 11 Eng 11 |
Chm 12 Eng 12 |
Bgy 11 Mth 11 or 12 Ecn 21 |
| Sophomore | Chm 21 Hst 11 PS 21 |
Phy 11 Bgy |
Chm 22 Phy 12 Sph 20 |
OPTION II: Attend Furman for 3 years, taking a course scheduled as shown. Transfer to a school of pharmacy after the junior year. Courses taken the first year at the Pharmacy School would count toward competition of the BS program at Furman. After 3 years of Pharmacy, a degree from that school would be obtained also.
| Year | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| Freshman | Mth 11 Chm 11 Eng 11 |
Chm 12 Eng 12 |
Bgy 11 Chm 21 Mus 20 |
| Sophomore | Chm 22 Bgy 30 Lang 12 |
Bgy 31 Ecn 21 |
Bgy 33 Lang 21 Hst 11 |
| Junior | Phy 11 Bgy 26 Rel 11 |
Bgy 32 PS 21 |
Phy 12 Hum A_ HES 10 |
OPTION III: Attend Furman for 4 years, majoring in biology or chemistry. During the senior year apply to a graduate program in Pharmacology at a Medical School. It would then take usually 2 years to earn the MS and 3 to 5 years to earn the Ph.D.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the medical science which involves all aspects of the action of drugs on
living systems and their constituent parts. This includes everything from the
intermolecular reactions of chemical compounds in a cell with drugs, to the evaluation of
the effectiveness of a drug in the treatment of human disease, to the effects of chemicals
in our environment on entire populations. A closely related field is that of toxicology,
concentrating on poisonous substances called toxins. Toxicologists study the human effects
of environmental chemicals and help develop new industrial chemicals beneficial to man,
yet nontoxic to his environment. Pharmacologists are needed for basic investigations of
the reciprocal interactions between drugs and living systems. They are needed at the
interface of basic and applied research to create new therapeutic agents to cure and
alleviate disease and to improve life. Specialists must be developed to engage in clinical
studies that assess the therapeutic effectiveness of drugs in humans.
Approximately 75% of pharmacologists hold
positions in universities, government, or in other non-profit institutions. The remaining
25% are in key positions in pharmaceutical and related industries. Private pharmaceuticals
companies are actively recruiting pharmacologists to help in the development of new and
better drugs for the treatment of human and animal diseases. Other private companies which
develop new substances for use in foodstuffs or items likely to be ingested accidentally,
need pharmacologists to ensure the safety and utility of their products. Pharmacologists
are also in demand in the laboratories and offices of government agencies concerned with
basic research, with the regulation of commerce, and with the protection of the public
health and safety. Hospitals, medial centers, and foundations offer research opportunities
in every pharmacology specialty.
Finally, there are many opportunities for
pharmacologists to make joint research and teaching careers in the academic world,
providing instruction to medical and graduate students, as well as pharmacy, veterinary,
dental, and nursing students. The principal pathway to a career in pharmacology is through
a course of study leading to the PhD degree as offered within almost every school of
medicine (usually through a graduate school) and by many schools of pharmacy. Fields of
specialization include clinical pharmacology, molecular pharmacology, biochemical
pharmacology, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular autonomic pharmacology, chemotherapy,
behavioral pharmacology, toxicology, and endocrine pharmacology.
Pharmacy Career Opportunities
Academia |
Community Group / HMO - clinical* Independent - long term care consultation - franchise - medical builiding - home health - pharmacy office - apothecary Chain - long term care consultation - franchise - medical building - home health care center - pharmacy office |
Institution Long term care Gov't facility Med/dent etc Hospital - nuclear - chain pharm. - administration - distribution / control - outpatient - clinical* |
Industry Business - sales - marketing - management Technology / Scientific Manufacturing - product / quality - drug information - marketing surveilance - regulatory affairs - R&D - pharmaceutics - basic research - clinical research |
| Regulatory Federal - FDA - DEA - VA - Dept. of Health - Armed Services State - Dept. of Health - Dept. of Consumer Affairs |
Consulting Long term care Home health care Hospital - clinical* |
Other Legal Mail Order U.S. Pharmacopeia 3rd party insurance Computer technology Trade journal Wholesaling Pharm. associations |
Pharmacy schools all require completion of specific courses for entrance into their programs. In general these requirements include 8 semester hours of Biology, 4 semester hours in Microbiology, 8 semester hours in General Chemistry, 8 semester hours in Organic Chemistry, 4 to 8 semester hours of Physics, 4 semester hours of calculus, courses in Speech, Microeconomics, English, Statistics, and Accounting are common. Refer to the specific school requirements, most of which can be found on web pages from the links listed below.
Pharmacy Schools are listed according to state: