Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science Pre-Professional

Program Information
Credential: 
Pre-Professional Study
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 4 years at U of A

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
University Transfer Program

Two Year Pre-Professional Program:

Please note that course work for pre-professional programs varies as per university. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they are taking correct pre-professional coursework when applying the a University other than specified in the Calendar.

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

International Students and Students applying outside of their home province are advised to consult the calendar of the institution to which you will be applying regarding its policy on admitting international and out-of-province students. This may vary between institutions.

Related Careers
  • retail pharmacies
  • hospital pharmacies
  • non-hospital health care services
  • government agencies
  • pharmaceutical industry including drug inspection and research, pharmaceutical marketing and sales, and administration.
The Program

The Pre-Pharmacy program is the first two years of a Bachelor of Science program tailored to meet the admission requirements to BSc Pharmacy in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Alberta.

Program Admission Features

Admission to the BSc Pharmacy program requires completion of a minimum of two full years of pre-professional course work and a high grade point average. Admission to the pre-professional program at RDC does not guarantee admission to the professional program. You should check with the university to be aware of specific admission requirements.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

1. Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. Chemistry 30
  3. ELA 30-1
  4. Mathematics 30-1
  5. Subject from Group A, B, or C (Physics 30 recommended)

OR

2. Mature Student:

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school for at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. Chemistry 30
  3. ELA 30-1
  4. Mathematics 30-1

Note: Physics 30 recommended

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass 20 term university transfer courses or a minimum of 60 credit hours, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to receive a Diploma in University Transfer Studies.

Program Content
University of Alberta

You must make sure you meet admission and minimum course load requirements for the professional program as well as your alternate BSc program.

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217 (3 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 (or MATH 203)/STAT 251 (6 credits)
  • Three Arts or Science options (9 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

Examines the major lineage of life on Earth. Overview of evolutionary principles and classification; the history of life; and the key adaptations of prokaryotes; protists; fungi; plants; and animals. Laboratories survey the diversity of biological form and function; and introduce the students to data collection and scientific writing. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 is not a pre-requisite for BIOL 218. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry; reactions and titrations; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; chemical equilibrium; and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers; titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; thermodynamics and thermochemistry; chemical kinetics; and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

CHEM 351

An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. The molecular structure; nomenclature; reactions; reaction mechanisms; structure determination and stereochemistry of alkanes; alkenes; alkynes and alkyl halides is discussed. Important organic compounds related to industry; agriculture and everyday use (polymers; fats; soaps; pesticides; medicinals; etc) are introduced. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 Note: You can only get credit for one of CHEM 241; CHEM 251 and CHEM 351.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

STAT 251

Data collection and presentation; descriptive statistics. Probability distributions; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Point estimation and hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression analysis. Goodness-of- fit and contingency table. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in any of STAT 241; PSYC 309; SOCI 311; or BUS 306.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

  • BIOC 393 or BIOC 301 (3 credits)
  • CHEM 351/CHEM 352 (6 credits)
  • 7 Options (21 credits)

For transfer and course selection specifics it is strongly recommended that students see an Academic Advisor.

Note: The University of Alberta is proposing changes to entrance requirements for the Doctor of Pharmacy Program for Fall 2018. If any program changes are approved, we will update our information accordingly.
 

 

Year 2 Course Descriptions

BIOC 301

An introduction to the fundamental principles of biochemistry. Protein structure and function; lipids and the structure of biological membranes; nucleotides and the structure of nucleic acids; bioenergetics and the metabolism of carbohydrates; lipids; and nitrogen; the integration and regularion of cellular metabolism. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 and 251 or 351 Restrictions: Students may only transfer BIOC 301 or BIOC 393 for credit.

BIOC 393

This is essentially the same course as BIOC 301 but has a laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 and 251 or 351 Restrictions: Students may only transfer BIOC 301 or 393 for credit.

CHEM 351

An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. The molecular structure; nomenclature; reactions; reaction mechanisms; structure determination and stereochemistry of alkanes; alkenes; alkynes and alkyl halides is discussed. Important organic compounds related to industry; agriculture and everyday use (polymers; fats; soaps; pesticides; medicinals; etc) are introduced. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 Note: You can only get credit for one of CHEM 241; CHEM 251 and CHEM 351.

CHEM 352

This course is a continuation of CHEM 251 or CHEM 351. Nomenclature; physical properties; stereochemistry; synthesis and reaction of aldehydes; ketones; carboxylic acids and derivatives; carbohydrates; amino acids; proteins and amines. Chemistry of biomolecules. Use of spectroscopic tools. Industrial; environmental and biological implications. Prerequisite: CHEM 251 or CHEM 351