University of Kentucky Undergraduate Bulletin
2001-2002
Kenneth B. Roberts, Ph.D., is Dean of the College of Pharmacy.
The College of Pharmacy offers a four year curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.), training for postdoctoral and research fellows, residency programs in conjunction with University Hospital and graduate training (Ph.D.) in all areas of the pharmaceutical sciences through The Graduate School. The professional program is fully accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education and satisfies all educational requirements for licensure. The residency programs are fully accredited by the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists.
The major goal of the College of Pharmacy is the education of competent and contemporary pharmacy practitioners who assume responsibility for achieving optimum therapeutic outcomes through the provision of rational drug therapy and who, in cooperation with other health care professionals, can favorably influence both overall health care and the individual patient's quality of life.
ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE
The number of students admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program depends upon the availability of resources - such as faculty, clinical facilities, and space - for implementation of a quality educational program. Consideration for admission will be based on the applicant's previous academic record; potential for academic achievement; standardized admission test scores; and an assessment of the applicant's communicative skills, integrity, commitment, dedication, motivation, character, maturity and emotional stability. Each applicant must have the physical, mental and emotional ability to learn and accomplish those competencies required of a pharmacy practitioner, and the character and thought processes necessary to make professional judgments that benefit the patient. The minimum grade-point average in required prepharmacy course work is 2.5, but the average grade-point of admitted students is substantially higher. More information on admission criteria and procedures can be found at the College of Pharmacy Web site.
Any student may be denied admission or permission to continue enrollment in the College of Pharmacy if, in the opinion of the faculty, the moral or ethical character of the student casts grave doubts upon his or her potential capabilities as a pharmacist. Any type of involvement in the illegal use of drugs, or other illegal or unethical acts relating to the practice of pharmacy are examples of incidents which would provide cause for considering dismissal of a student from the College.
All application materials must be received by February 1 to ensure consideration for admission in the fall of the same year. In addition, the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) score must be included in the completed application packet submitted to the College of Pharmacy Admissions Office. For this reason, all applicants must take the PCAT the fall prior to application, at the latest.
The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is designed to measure the general abilities and scientific knowledge of applicants seeking admission to the College of Pharmacy. The PCAT is developed and administered by the Psychological Corporation three times a year. Applicants must have taken the PCAT no later than the fall semester in the year prior to the fall in which they are seeking enrollment. Applicants may take the PCAT two times with the best score considered during the admission process.
Registration questions concerning the PCAT and registration information booklets can be requested from: Pharmacy College Admission Test, The Psychological Corporation, 555 Academic Court, San Antonio, TX 78204, (512) 554-8198. PCAT registration booklets and information on PCAT workshops are also available through the Student Services Office in the College of Pharmacy, Room 215.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
The College of Pharmacy recommends that applicants gain a strong foundation in the social, behavioral, chemical, mathematical and biological sciences. Minimal requirements are satisfied with the equivalent of one semester of mathematics (analytics and calculus), one semester of microbiology or bacteriology with lab, one semester of microeconomics, one semester of animal biology with lab or the second semester of principles of biology with lab, one semester of human anatomy, two semesters of physics, two semesters of general chemistry with lab, two semesters of organic chemistry with labs, two semesters of English composition and sufficient electives to develop a reasonably well-rounded individual. The college also recommends students complete one semester of introductory statistics prior to fall admission. A significant number of applicants to the program have a baccalaureate degree, although a prior degree is not required for admission. Not all courses in the areas above satisfy admission requirements; the level at which a course is offered also may be consequential. For more information about actual course work, contact the Office of Academic Affairs in the College of Pharmacy. Prospective pharmacy students should contact the College early in their prepharmacy career for guidance.
STUDENT PROGRESS
The Academic Performance Committee (APC) of the College is charged with monitoring student progress through the curriculum and promoting students from one professional year to the next. Promotion is not automatic and must be earned on the basis of performance. The APC regularly reviews each student's performance and makes recommendations on such actions as promotion, probation, remediation, dismissal, graduation and leaves of absence. Graduation requires successful completion of all course work and faculty approval.
Students are responsible for conforming to all rules and regulations specified by the Behavioral Standards in Patient Care, the Health Science Student Professional Behavior Code, the "Technical Standards" related to applicant admission and student performance and the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities for all University of Kentucky Students.
PART TIME STUDY
Because the curriculum of the College of Pharmacy integrates material from a variety of courses in which the student is enrolled, part time study is extraordinarily difficult and is allowed only in unusual cases. Students allowed such an option must plan a course of study through the Academic Affairs office and with the approval of the Academic Performance Committee. Alteration of such a plan may not occur without prior approval of the APC. The College reserves the right to alter such a plan unilaterally should curricular changes or significant changes in course content occur while a student in part time study is enrolled.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Direct questions about admission, prepharmacy course work or a visit to the college to:
Academic Affairs
College of Pharmacy
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40536-0082
(859) 323-6163
http://www.uky.edu/Pharmacy
