Undergraduate students interested in the pharmacy program at Iowa are classified as pharmacy interest.  They are assigned an academic advisor to assist them in planning their prerequisite courses.  Students spend two to four years completing a prescribed sequence of courses that prepare them for pharmacy school, which is a four-year professional program that awards the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Pharmacy Interest Guide

Pharmacy Interest accordion

Pharmacy programs do not all require the same courses.  Be sure to research the schools to which you plan to apply and learn what pre-requisites are required.

Below are the prerequisite courses for the UI’s Pharm. D. program:

  • Rhetoric: 4 sh
  • Calculus: 3-4 sh
  • General Biology with lab: 8 sh
  • General Chemistry with lab: 8 sh
  • Organic Chemistry: 6 sh
  • Microbiology with lab: 4 sh
  • Human Anatomy: 3 sh
  • Human Physiology: 3-4 sh
  • Biochemistry: 3 sh
  • Statistics: 3 sh
  • Physics: 1 year high school or 1 semester college with or without lab
  • General Education Courses: 16 sh
    • 6 sh should be in the social sciences (anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, or sociology)

Pharmacists dispense medication and provide pharmaceutical education to patients and other health care professionals.  Pharmacists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, retail businesses, long-term care facilities, internet pharmacies, and public health services.  Pharmacists may also work in research and in governmental agencies ensuring the strength and safety of medications.

Learn more about Pharmacy at these websites:

  • All prerequisite courses must be completed by time of matriculation.  The priority application deadline for the UI College of Pharmacy is November 1st. The final application deadline is March 1st. Accepted students begin in August the following year.  All applications for the UI College of Pharmacy are completed through PharmCAS, the online application portal.
  • Applicants must provide at least two letters of reference submitted through PharmCAS, and a personal statement.
  • Competitive applicants will be invited for a personal interview.
  • All accepted applicants must submit consent for a criminal background check.

The admissions profile of students admitted to the UI’s College of Pharmacy in 2024:

  • 116 students matriculated
  • approximately 32% earned Bachelor’s Degree before Admission
  • Average GPA of matriculated class: 3.4
  • Average science GPA of matriculated class: 3.2

How to get started:

  • Meet with your Pharmacy Interest academic advisor
  • Attend the UI’s Pre-Pharmacy Club (PHARM@UI)
  • Shadow a pharmacist or volunteer in a pharmacy setting
  • Gain work experience as a pharmacy technician
  • Meet with the PharmD Admissions Team