Pre-Pharmacy

Associate of Science

This two-year program prepares the graduate for application to pharmacy school, a 4 year program leading to licensure as a pharmacist. The future of pharmacists is bright with growing demand and an increasing variety of practice settings. The individual selecting this program must be dedicated and self-motivated to excel at rigorous academic coursework for the two years of prerequisites at South Texas College and four years of pharmacy school.

Entering students, please note that the second year suggests MATH 2413 Calculus I. Students with a score of 980+ on the math portion of the TSIA2 Exam may test-out of MATH 2412 Pre-Calculus Math and enroll directly into MATH 2413 Calculus I after taking and passing the Calculus I Placement Exam provided by the Mathematics Department. Students who qualify and elect this option must contact and make arrangements with the Mathematics Department at 956-872-8327 no later than two (2) weeks prior to the start of the semester the students intends to enroll.

Students with an SAT score of 560+ (SAT II Math Level 1), 520+ (SAT II Math Level 2) or an ACT score of 28+ may also enroll directly into MATH 2413 Calculus I. Otherwise, it is recommended that students take the prerequisite MATH 2412 Pre-Calculus Math the summer prior to the start of the fall semester. Enrollment in MATH 2412 Pre-Calculus Math requires a prerequisite of MATH 1414 College Algebra or ACT scores of 25-27, SAT II Math Level I scores of 520-559, or SAT II Math Level 2 scores of 500-519.

Graduation from South Texas College does not guarantee acceptance into pharmacy school. South Texas College provides the opportunity for the student to develop a solid basic science knowledge base, complete prerequisites for pharmacy school, participate in essay and interview preparation sessions, review for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), and advisement in the pharmacy school application process. Pharmacy schools select entering classes by student merit.

Due to a state mandated limit on credit hours for an Associate of Science degree, the student will be expected to complete some prerequisite or additional pharmacy school course requirements on their own. There is time in the curriculum for the student to complete these courses during summer and second fall semesters.

Pre-Pharmacy Program Website: https://www.southtexascollege.edu/pre-pharmacy/

Program Learning Outcomes

1. The student will solve problems utilizing chemical concepts (stoichiometry, colligative properties, acid/base).
2. The student will describe the structure, bonding and reactivity of chemical compounds (acid/base, redox).
3. The student will describe reaction mechanisms and synthesis of organic compounds.
4. The student will safely perform laboratory experiments involving a variety of chemical techniques and will communicate analysis of results in writing.    
5. The student will describe microbial mechanisms of pathogenicity.
6. The student will describe the anatomy of physiology of tissues, organs, and organ systems.
7. The student will describe the fundamental principles of maintaining homeostasis in organisms.

TSI Liable

¹

For BIOL 2421 Microbiology for Science Majors, 2 credit hours are scheduled for field of study and 2 credit hours are scheduled to meet the general core education requirements (Component Area Option). 

²

In addition to the courses in the Field of Study, the student is required to take 42 credit hours from the STC Core Curriculum. These courses must not duplicate courses taken to fulfill field of study requirements.

³

For students to directly enroll in MATH 2413 Calculus I, they must earn 375+ on the TSI and successfully complete and exam administered by the MATH department or earn a 100 on the college-level Mathematics ACCUPLACER.

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence

¹

For BIOL 2421 Microbiology for Science Majors 2 credit hours are scheduled for field of study and 2 credit hours are scheduled to meet the general core education requirements (Component Area Option). 

Additional Courses Recommended to Satisfy Pharmacy School Prerequisites

Recommended by end of Fall Semester Second Year: