Pre-Pharmacy at Augustana
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| Patrick Crawford, assistant professor of chemistry, works wtih students in the lab. Pharmacy students will take general and organic chemistry classes. |
About the program
- Pre-pharmacy students typically spend two or three years completing the pre-professional pharmacy curriculum, followed by four years at an accredited school of pharmacy leading to the doctor of pharmacy degree. Currently more than half of students entering professional pharmacy programs nationwide have three or more years of pre-professional study, and about one third have completed bachelor’s degrees.
- Augustana’s pre-pharmacy students take courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, along with other coursework to prepare them for the schools to which they intend to apply.
- The 114,000-square-foot Science Building houses the pre-health programs and the departments of biology, chemistry and physics. Special facilities include high-tech individual labs for biochemistry and physical chemistry, anatomy and physiology, cell biology, genetics and human cadaver dissection, among others.
- Class sizes are small, with highest numbers around 60 students, and no classes are taught by teaching assistants. Professors teach both the lecture and lab portions of their classes, ensuring continuity and connection between theory and practice.
- Augustana ranks among the top 60 U.S. liberal arts colleges in the sciences, based on the number of graduates earning Ph.D.s.
- liberal arts foundation helps students learn to analyze issues from more than one angle, communicate well and solve problems through critical and creative thinking. These skills empower their studies in their major field as undergraduates at Augustana, in their chosen professional and graduate programs, and later in their careers within a complex global market.
Pharmacy school
- Augustana's pharmacy school placement rates are excellent: 95% over the past five years. Once in pharmacy school, our graduates find they have been prepared extremely well for their professional training in the field.
- Because entrance requirements to pharmacy schools vary, each student should contact his or her pre-pharmacy advisor early in the first year at Augustana. This way both can plan together the most appropriate course schedule and academic path leading to successful enrollment in the student’s chosen pharmacy school.
What graduates say
Simi Narayan ’08, biology and pre-medicine majors, Spanish minor:
“The smartest decision I ever made was to earn my degree from Augustana. As a pre-pharmacy student I only had to attend undergrad for two years before moving onto a pharmacy school. Luckily, I realized early on how valuable my experiences at Augustana really were. In four years I managed to volunteer at a local elementary school as part of my first year AGES course, become a leader on the Biology Club executive board, play varsity sports, take part in an internship, travel abroad (I saw the Taj Mahal!), and complete my degree.
"My experiences at Augustana gave me an edge over other pharmacy school candidates and have proved helpful throughout my first year of pharmacy school as well. At Augustana I mastered more than just academics—I mastered the skills necessary to be a successful professional in a rapidly changing field.”
Adam Setter ’09, biology major, biochemistry minor, concentration in pharmacy:
“I chose Augustana because I felt it gave me the best opportunity to learn and grow over the next four years. Now, looking back, it far exceeded my expectations by helping create who and what I am today as a scholar, future professional, and individual. In my studies, the challenging curriculum and face-to-face interaction with my professors complemented each other to best prepare me for Pharmacy School. In addition, Augustana’s incredible track record helped me secure an internship at Walgreens to further supplement my education.
"Lastly, but most importantly, the wealth of activities within the Augustana community and the opportunity to study abroad allowed me to grow in a way most fitting for myself and to develop the friendships of a lifetime!”
