The purpose of the curriculum is to prepare graduates to be competent, ethical, contemporary and compassionate entry-level pharmacists. They will be committed to active involvement in the advancement of the pharmacy profession and dedicated to fulfilling the public trust by assuming responsibility for optimizing patient care through provision of appropriate drug therapy and by assuring the safe, effective and efficient use of drug products and drug delivery systems.

   
PHRD 5010Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) Community (2 Credits)This is the first in a series of experiential-based courses, providing 80 hours of community pharmacy practice experience. Students will participate in all facets of community pharmacy practice, with a particular focus on the development of communication and professionalism skills.
PHRD 5025Applied biological chemistry (2 credits)Course builds upon student knowledge of biochemistry to explore applications of biochemistry to diseases, drug actions, and drug development. Knowledge gained from this course is used as a foundation for understanding the rationale for the therapeutic uses of drugs.
PHRD 5055Pharmacy Practice Fundamentals & Drug Information (4 Credits)Course provides students with tactics necessary to perform dispensing duties in most pharmacy settings. Fundamentals of the practice of drug information are introduced. Pharmacy practice and drug information fundamentals are presented with the context of the history of pharmacy and contemporary pharmacy practice.
PHRD 5075Pharmacotherapy Self-Care (4 Credits)Course prepares students to be able to 1) collect appropriate patient data to make an assessment for self-care (e.g. nonprescription products), 2) conduct a patient-centered assessment, and 3) design, implement, evaluate and adjust a patient-centered self-care plan.
PHRD 5920Medicinal Chemistry (3 Credits)This course explores medicinal chemistry concepts using clinically relevant case studies, designed to examine mechanism(s) of drug action, structure-activity relationships, drug metabolism, drug resistance and other concepts related to the pharmacology and clinical use of therapeutic drugs.
PHRD 5925Pharmaceutics (4 credits)Students introduced to biophysical and chemical considerations in development of pharmaceutics and products and compounding various dosage forms, principles of parenteral drug preparation and administrations. Knowledge gained allows students to understand formulation development and optimize dosage forms for individual patients.
PHRD 5935Pharmacology & Toxicology (4 Credits)This is an introductory course to pharmacology, the study of therapeutic drug effects, and toxicology, the study of adverse drug effects. Basic principles of these topics will be explored using several drugs and drug classes as examples.
PHRD 5965Patient-Centered Communication (4 Credits)Students develop skills to communicate effectively with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to facilitate optimal patient outcomes. These courses cover all aspects of professional communication, including gathering, organizing, conveying and documenting patient-related information.
PHRD 5985Pharmacotherapy 1 (4 Credits)This 7 course series includes pathophysiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics of a range of system based physiological conditions. Standards of care, controversial issues, pharmacotherapy advances, and patient management are covered. Areas covered in this course: pulmonology, dermatology, ophthalmology, otic diseases, OB/GYN, Urology, ED.
IPCP 5000Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (1 Credit)A one semester course required of health professions students from the, dental, medical, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistant programs on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

    Graduation Requirements for students graduating before 2027

    Students in the University of Colorado Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to complete a minimum of six elective credit hours, in three different courses, of which two credit hours must be "P3 only" electives offered in the spring of the P3 year.

    Graduation Requirements for Students Graduating In 2027 or Later

    Students in the University of Colorado Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to complete a minimum of eight elective credit hours, in four different courses, of which two credit hours must be "P3 only" electives offered in the spring of the P3 year.

    The intent of offering elective courses is to provide students with an opportunity to engage in learning experiences beyond those included in the required curriculum. Consistent with ACPE standards for professional programs leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree, multiple opportunities are provided throughout the curriculum for students to take elective courses that

    develop areas of personal interest, to expand understanding of professional opportunities, and to achieve the outcomes of the curriculum.

    The following policies apply to courses that can be taken for elective credit:

    1. A course for elective credit can be offered to and taken by any student in the first three years of the curriculum (P1-P3) provided: a) the student has satisfied the prerequisites for the course and b) the course does not conflict with other courses being taken by the student. NOTE: P1s are not allowed to take elective courses in the P1 fall semester.
    2. Independent study courses may be used to meet elective requirements of the curriculum provided that the course does not conflict with other courses being taken by the student Note: no more than 2 credit hours from any one Independent Study course may be applied toward fulfilling the 6 credit hour elective requirement.
    3. The content of an elective must outcomes and complement or enhance the core curriculum.
    4. Students are encouraged to take elective courses in more than one topic area. In addition, students may take more than the required number of credit hours of elective courses.
    5. For elective courses in which the number of students is limited, those students needing to fulfill their minimal elective requirements (i.e., have less than the required credit hours of elective courses) will be given highest priority and in the following order: P3s first, P2s second, P1s third and lastly any student who has already completed the required credit hours of elective courses. After these criteria have been met, allocation will be on order of registration. Extenuating academic circumstances may dictate a change in this order.
    6. Additional tuition expenses may be incurred for elective courses taken during the summer.
    7. All elective course requirements must be completed before a student is permitted to progress to the P4 year.

    Elective Course Offerings

    Not all elective courses are offered every academic year. The course director’s availability determines when/if the course will be offered. Courses with low enrollment may be canceled prior to the start of the semester.

    Independent study is a great way for students to gain additional experience in particular realms of pharmacy practice that interest them and suit their ultimate career goals.

    Students are welcome to work with an individual faculty member and propose any other independent study consistent with their career interests.

    Submissions for a proposed independent study must be made no later than May 1 (for summer semester), August 1 (for fall semester) or December 1 (for spring semester). Please see the guidelines document for more information.