Pharmacists require a thorough knowledge of how the human body works and how it is affected by various drugs. For this reason, biology makes up a large portion of pharmacy school prerequisites . Most pharmacy schools require one year of biology, one year of human anatomy and physiology and one semester of microbiology, each with accompanying labs. Many students choose to major in biology, according to My College Options.org, because a biology major encompasses the prerequisite courses required by most pharmacy colleges.
To understand how drugs are made and their effects on the body, pharmacy students require a strong foundation in chemistry and physics. Pharmacy colleges require a full year of chemistry and a full year of organic chemistry, with labs, according to Kaplan Test Prep. Most pharmacy colleges also require one year of physics with a lab.
Pharmacists require strong math skills to calculate the dosages of medications and verify their accuracy for patients, according to Kaplan. Math skills are also essential for pharmacists who plan to own their own pharmacy. Pharmacy schools require a minimum of one semester of calculus and statistics, reports My College Options.org.
Courses in English composition and public speaking may not be specifically required by all pharmacy colleges, but skills in these areas are necessary for pharmacists, who must be able to communicate clearly with patients, doctors and other medical professionals. Social science courses, such as psychology or sociology, may also be useful in helping pharmacists better understand and relate to their patients and coworkers, suggests Kaplan.