Most pharmacy schools require both general chemistry and organic chemistry. Both of these courses must contain a lab component. General chemistry introduces basic chemistry concepts on molecular structure, inorganic chemistry, chemical bonding and the properties of gas, solids and liquids. Organic chemistry introduces concepts on organic carbon compounds. It is important for pharmacy students to have a good understanding of chemistry to understand how different chemicals elements react when combined.
Math is an important part of the pre-pharmacology curriculum. It assists individuals in the pharmacy profession with making appropriate calculations. The pre-pharmacy curriculum requires two semesters of math, which includes calculus and probability and statistics. Calculus covers concepts on derivatives, logarithmic and exponential functions and various other topics. Probability and statistics covers topics on variance, statistical inference, regression analysis and data measurement and analysis. These math courses prepare pre-pharmacy students for handling the extensive mathematical computations required in pharmacy programs.
A pre-pharmacy student needs two semesters of general biology before entering pharmacy school. Each course needs to have a lab component. These biology classes must concentrate on human processes and disease. The courses should cover topics such as energy metabolism, genetics, reproduction, cell cycles and cell synthesis. This introduction to biology assists pre-pharmacy students with gaining a basic understanding of how human disease and human functions work in the body.
In a pre-pharmacology curriculum, at least one semester of physics is needed. Physics introduces the basic principles of momentum, fundamentals of motion, mechanics of heat and thermodynamics. In addition, the physics course covers classic physic theories, Newtonian mechanics and various other physic topics. It is necessary to apply mathematical fundamentals from algebra, trigonometry and geometry to succeed in the course. Understanding physics is essential to pre-pharmacological students, so they understand how the introduction of physics principles affects the composition of medicine.