College of Pharmacy

Glendale, AZ Campus

Midwestern University

Core Course Descriptions

College of Pharmacy-Glendale

Prerequisites are listed for those courses with such requirements. When no prerequisite is listed in a course description, it is implied that there is no prerequisite.

BIOC 1551

Biochemistry

This course instills basic principles in biochemistry with particular emphasis on pharmaceutical applications. Lectures address acid/base chemistry, structure and function relationships of proteins, enzymes in biochemistry, and major pathways for protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, and pertinent nutritional topics.

Credits: 3

BIOC 1552

Molecular Biology and Human Genetics

This course instills basic principles in molecular biology and human genetics. Lectures address nucleic acid structure, the flow of information from DNA to protein, current techniques in DNA technology including gene therapy and pharmacogenetics, the molecular basis of cancer and several topics in clinical genetics. Emphasis is placed on the pharmaceutical applications of all topics addressed.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: BIOC 1551 Biochemistry

CORE 1560, 1570, 1580

Interdisciplinary Healthcare

The Interdisciplinary Healthcare course involves the Colleges of Dental Medicine, Health Sciences, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, and Pharmacy. The course is designed to teach all clinically-based students about each other's clinical programs and how they interact together as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team: cardiovascular sciences, clinical psychology, dental medicine, nurse anesthesia, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy and podiatry students learn about the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to patient care. The class consists primarily of online presentations that are delivered by interdisciplinary team members from each of the clinical programs. Associated quizzes will also be completed online. Occasional lectures will also be given in the classroom in a seminar format or in conjunction with panel presentations.

Credits: 0.5 credits each course

MICR 1513

Microbiology

This survey course in basic and medical microbiology focuses on the more common pathogenic microorganisms that cause morbidity and mortality in humans. The pattern of discussion is uniform: etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and pathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and prevention.

Credits: 3

MICR 1553

Immunology

This course presents basic aspects of the body's defense system. Initial lectures address cells and organs of the immune system, complement activation, antigen processing and presentation, and cytokines. Introductory lectures are tied together later in the course with discussions of inflammation and the body's response to infectious disease. The role of the immune system in the rejection of organ transplants, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, cancer, and AIDS are also discussed in detail. Current advances in immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis are emphasized.

Credits: 3

PHID 1501-1503, 1604-1609

Integrated Sequence 1-9

The integrated sequence is a series of nine sequential modules of varying lengths. Each module incorporates the principles of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapeutics utilizing an organ systems approach.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for PHID 1501 Integrated Sequence 1, 4 credits: PHYS 1501 Human Physiology 1; PHYS 1502 Human Physiology 2; BIOC 1551 Biochemistry; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1503 Professional Skills Development 3
Prerequisites for PHID 1502 Integrated Sequence 2, 4 credits: PHID 1501 Integrated Sequence 1; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1503 Professional Skills Development 3
Prerequisites for PHID 1503 Integrated Sequence 3, 4 credits: PHID 1502 Integrated Sequence 2; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1504 Professional Skills Development 4
Prerequisites for PHID 1604 Integrated Sequence 4, 5 credits: PHID 1503 Integrated Sequence 3; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1605 Professional Skills Development 5
Prerequisites for PHID 1605 Integrated Sequence 5, 3.5 credits: PHID 1604 Integrated Sequence 4; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1605 Professional Skills Development 5
Prerequisites for PHID 1606 Integrated Sequence 6, 5.5 credits: PHID 1605 Integrated Sequence 5; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1606 Professional Skills Development 6
Prerequisites for PHID 1607 Integrated Sequence 7, 4 credits: PHID 1606 Integrated Sequence 6; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1606 Professional Skills Development 6
Prerequisites for PHID 1608 Integrated Sequence 8, 4.5 credits: PHID 1607 Integrated Sequence 7; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1607 Professional Skills Development 7
Prerequisites for PHID 1609 Integrated Sequence 9, 4 credits: PHID 1608 Integrated Sequence 8; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1607 Professional Skills Development 7

PHYS 1501

Human Physiology 1

This course provides the core knowledge of physiology required by students to understand normal body function and the ability to analyze and interpret the immediate and long-term compensatory responses to common disease states of excitable cells (muscle and nervous tissue), the sensory system, and the endocrine and reproductive systems. Basic and applied terms are defined. Essential relationships between structure and function are defined and discussed.

Credits: 3

PHYS 1502

Human Physiology 2

This course provides core knowledge of physiology required by students of pharmacy in order to understand normal function and to acquire the ability to analyze and interpret the immediate and long-term compensatory responses to common disease states of the renal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. Basic and applied terms are defined. Essential relationships between structure and function are defined and discussed.

Credits: 3

PPRA 1501-1504, 1605-1607, 1708

Professional Skills Development 1-8

These courses integrate the skills needed to fulfill the professional responsibilities of pharmacy practice as they relate to patient-centered care and the patient care process. Principles taught in this course and the co-requisite courses will be utilized to provide the contextual framework for the skills considered.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for PPRA 1501 Professional Skills Development 1, 3.5 credits: None
Prerequisites for PPRA 1502 Professional Skills Development 2, 3.5 credits: PPRA 1501 Professional Skills Development 1
Prerequisites for PPRA 1503 Professional Skills Development 3, 2 credits: PPRA 1502 Professional Skills Development 2; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PHID 1501 Integrated Sequence 1, PHID 1502 Integrated Sequence 2
Prerequisites for PPRA 1504 Professional Skills Development 4, 2 credits: PPRA 1503 Professional Skills Development 3; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PHID 1503 Integrated Sequence 3
Prerequisites for PPRA 1605 Professional Skills Development 5, 1.5 credits: PPRA 1504 Professional Skills Development 4; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PHID 1604 Integrated Sequence 4, PHID 1605 Integrated Sequence 5
Prerequisites for PPRA 1606 Professional Skills Development 6, 1.5 credits: PPRA 1605 Professional Skills Development 5; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PHID 1606 Integrated Sequence 6, PHID 1607 Integrated Sequence 7
Prerequisites for PPRA 1607 Professional Skills Development 7, 1.5 credits: PPRA 1606 Professional Skills Development 6; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PHID 1608 Integrated Sequence 8, PHID 1609 Integrated Sequence 9
Prerequisites for PPRA 1708 Professional Skills Development 8, 1.5 credits: PPRA 1607 Professional Skills Development 7; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1701 Acute Care Management, PPRA 1737 Disease State Management

PPRA 1524

Pharmacy Law and Public Policy

This course presents principles of law and public policy as they relate to pharmacy practice under federal, state and local regulations. Topics include general rules and regulations governing pharmacy practice, controlled substances, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and public policy.

Credits: 2.5

PPRA 1533

Patient Decision Making

This course introduces health belief models and theories, including the patient's perspective of health, illness, and patient-provider interactions, educational assessment, and consultation related to medication use. The main goal of this course is to help students understand and empathize with patients. The course emphasizes the patient instead of focusing upon the disease. Sociological and psychological implications of living with disease are discussed. Students learn to consider how the patient feels and how they can impact patient outcomes as healthcare professionals.

Credits: 3

PPRA 1534

Public Health and Disease Prevention

This course focuses on key concepts pertaining to the health of populations, with an emphasis on roles that pharmacists play in disease prevention and health promotion. Particular attention is placed on practical interventions performed by pharmacists, including patient education and awareness activities, health screenings, medication safety practices, and disease prevention programs. Through this course students will also gain an understanding of the work of several social and public health agencies at the local and state levels.

Credits: 2

PPRA 1535

Community Partnership in Public Health

This course is a service-learning and population-based experience in which students participate in activities that connect individual and community needs by interacting with different community leaders, identifying individual/community needs and resources. This course places students in contact with social and public health agencies working within the community in order to address the needs of the population. This course consists of weekly community activities and several campus-based activities during the quarter.

Credits: 1.5

Prerequisites: PPRA 1534 Public Health and Disease Prevention

PPRA 1571

Healthcare Systems

An overview of the organization, delivery and financing of medical and pharmaceutical care in the U.S. Particular emphasis is placed on the interdependent roles of pharmacists with other healthcare providers, and the key organizations and institutions that are involved in delivering pharmaceutical care to patients. Historical perspective is provided where it contributes to an understanding of contemporary practice.

Credits: 3

PPRA 1591

Introduction to Pharmacy Practice

This course provides the student with a brief history and evolution of the profession of pharmacy, with a focus on career opportunities for the present and future as the role of the pharmacist continues to change in the 21st century. Students complete a self-evaluation to help determine their primary interests in practice and interact with a number of practitioners from varied practice settings.

Credits: 1

PPRA 1665

Ethical Decision Making

This course provides students with a guide to a lifelong pursuit of ethics in the practice of pharmacy. The course begins with a historical discussion of ethical concepts from Aristotle through modern writers and thinkers on the subject. Students are introduced to the process of ethical decision making through the use of tools, algorithms and decision trees. Students discuss questions confronting pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in today's environment.

Credits: 2

PPRA 1667

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

This course is designed as a survey of complementary and alternative medicine. Students will be introduced to the theory and practice of some of the more popular complementary/alternative therapies (such as dietary supplements, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, herbal medicine, etc). The course will include the use of complementary/alternative medicine associated with common disease states. Students will have the opportunity to research and present a complementary/alternative treatment to the class.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: PPRA 1504 Professional Skills Development 4; PPRA 1676 Evidence-Based Healthcare

PPRA 1672

Research Methods & Epidemiology for Healthcare Professionals

This course introduces students to statistics and research design. The course covers basic statistical concepts, techniques, notations and computations including descriptive and inferential statistics with an emphasis on statistical methods, computerized data analysis and data assessments most commonly associated with pharmaceutical and medical research. Basic descriptive and inferential statistical processes and procedures are presented as well as topics on the development of research protocols, survey research, and clinical drug investigations.

Credits: 3

PPRA 1675

Pharmacy Practice Management

An introduction to management concepts, principles and techniques that are applied in contemporary pharmacy practice and healthcare administration. The course is organized into four broad areas of managerial activity and responsibility: financial management, marketing management, operations management with an emphasis on medication safety, and an introduction to pharmacoeconomics.

Credits: 3

PPRA 1676

Evidence-Based Healthcare

In this course, students will learn and apply skills that will improve their ability to practice evidence-based healthcare (EBHC). Students were introduced to the steps of practicing EBHC and learned about Step 1 (identify a clinical question) and Step 2 (find relevant literature) of practicing EBHC in previous courses. The course focuses on Step 3 (critically evaluate literature) and Step 4 (apply information to patients).

Credits: 2

Prerequisites: PPRA 1672 Research Methods & Epidemiology for Healthcare Professionals

PPRA 1694

Introductory Community Experience

This experience provides an opportunity for students to participate in basic patient care and distribution services in a community or ambulatory care pharmacy practice setting. Pharmacy students, under the supervision of adjunct clinical faculty, gain experience in community pharmacy practice including the areas of professional communications, drug information retrieval, patient counseling on prescription, and OTC medications, medication distribution, extemporaneous products, and application of federal and state pharmacy laws.

Credits: 6

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-1 year didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PPRA 1695

Introductory Institutional Experience

This experience provides an opportunity for students to participate in basic patient care and distribution services in an institutional pharmacy practice setting. Pharmacy students, under the supervision of adjunct clinical faculty, gain experience in institutional pharmacy practice including the areas of professional and patient communications, drug information retrieval, medication distribution systems, sterile product preparation, interprofessional activities, and application of federal and state pharmacy laws.

Credits: 6

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-1 year didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PPRA 1701

Acute Care Management

This course will integrate both the practice and patient care management of patients in the acute care (hospital and health-system) setting. Students will enhance their acute care knowledge through case-based lecture and clinical application in the corresponding Professional Skills Development course.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites: PHID 1609 Integrated Sequence 9; PPRA 1607 Professional Skills Development 7; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1708 Professional Skills Development 8; PPRA 1737 Disease State Management

PPRA 1737

Disease State Management

This course focuses on the skills necessary for pharmacist-directed management of common ambulatory medical conditions involving the cardiac, pulmonary, and endocrine systems. The course builds upon the fundamental information provided in the Integrated Sequence through the incorporation of disease prevention strategies and medication therapy management principles into complex patient casework.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites: PHID 1609 Integrated Sequence 9; PPRA 1607 Professional Skills Development 7; completion of or concurrent enrollment in PPRA 1701 Acute Care Management; PPRA 1708 Professional Skills Development 8

PPRA 1776

Human Resource Management

This course prepares students to engage in the classic functions of a human resource manager in the pharmacy practice setting including planning, organizing, decision making, staffing, leading or directing, communicating, motivating and evaluating.

Credits: 3

PPRA 1791

Advanced Community Pharmacy Practice Experience

This course will build upon the foundation of the introductory pharmacy practice experiences provided in the PS-2 year and the didactic curriculum. Under preceptor supervision, the student participates in the required APPE community course.

Credits: 9

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-3 summer quarter didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PPRA 1792

Advanced Acute Care Pharmacy Practice Experience

Credits: 9

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-3 summer quarter didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PPRA 1793

Advanced Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice Experience

Credits: 9

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-3 summer quarter didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PPRA 1794

Advanced Health System Pharmacy Practice Experience

Credits: 9

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-3 summer quarter didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PPRA 1795

Patient Care Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

Credits: 9

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-3 summer quarter didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PPRA 1796

Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

Credits: 9

Prerequisites: Passing grades in all PS-3 summer quarter didactic courses and an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above

PSCI 1540

Pharmaceutical Calculations

This course introduces the student to the mathematical skills needed for drug product dispensing and compounding of dosage forms essential to the practice of pharmacy. Topics covered include systems of measurement, units of strength, density, dosage calculations, aliquoting, isotonicity, milliequivalents, and osmolarity. Calculations for the preparation of specific dosage forms such as capsules, suppositories, and parenterals will also be covered.

Credits: 2

PSCI 1541

Pharmaceutics 1

Pharmaceutics 1 & 2 are an integration of physical pharmacy, dosage forms, pharmacy calculations, and pharmaceutical compounding presented by dosage form classification. The course presents the principles important for the administration, preparation, stability, and performance of drug products. Pharmaceutics 1 is the first of two required courses in pharmaceutics for pharmacy students; specific dosage forms covered in this course include powders, capsules, tablets, suppositories, ointments, and transdermal patches.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites: PSCI 1540 Pharmaceutical Calculations

PSCI 1542

Pharmaceutics 2

Pharmaceutics 1 & 2 are an integration of physical pharmacy, dosage forms, pharmacy calculations, and pharmaceutical compounding presented by dosage form classification. The course presents the principles important for the administration, preparation, stability, and performance of drug products. Pharmaceutics 2 is the second of two required courses in pharmaceutics for pharmacy students; specific dosage forms covered in this course include solutions, suspensions, emulsions, aerosols, ophthalmics, and parenterals.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites: PSCI 1541 Pharmaceutics 1

PSCI 1564

Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics

This course introduces pharmacy students to the principles of biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics by exploring the relationships between physiology, mathematics, and pharmacokinetic theory and their clinical application. Students will learn how to calculate and interpret pharmacokinetic parameters, discuss and explain pharmacokinetic principles, assess factors that affect drug disposition, design and adjust drug dosage regimens, and predict and explain mechanisms involved in drug interactions.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites: PSCI 1542 Pharmaceutics 2

College of Pharmacy

Glendale, AZ Campus

Midwestern University

Core Course Descriptions

College of Pharmacy-Glendale

Abbreviation/Number

Course Name