Pharmacy

Degree: Doctor of Pharmacy

College: Pharmacy

Department: Pharmacy

Contact: Please call: 1-800-477-4UNE or 207-221-4500 for further information. Applications are available online from PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service)  www.pharmcas.org.

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Pharmacy Program Information

Overview
The College offers the Doctor of Pharmacy as the professional degree that prepares students for careers as pharmacists in a variety of practice settings. A minimum of two years of undergraduate pre-professional education is required for admission. The two-year, undergraduate pre-professional program (Pre-Pharmacy) is offered on UNE’s Biddeford Campus and at other institutions. The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree is awarded after successful completion of four years of professional study in the College of Pharmacy located on UNE’s Portland Campus. To apply or to learn more about this exciting program, please call (800) 477-4UNE, or email gradadmissions@une.edu

Pharmacy is one of the most highly respected healthcare professions in the United States.  The vast majority of states are currently doing their best to address a crisis in our health care delivery system due to a shortage of pharmacists.  Maine ranks quite high in its need for pharmacists and although we recognize that not all of our graduates will remain in our state, we believe that our program will definitely make a difference in providing competent practitioners to serve the health needs of our citizens. Admission to pharmacy programs is very competitive and at UNE and there is a high demand for entrance into our four-year professional degree program. 

Graduate Professional Mission Statement
The mission of the College is to provide a suitable environment for the teaching-learning process to effectively deliver a contemporary pharmacy curriculum designed to graduate competent practitioners for the state of Maine and the nation. Additionally, the College will establish and maintain an active and productive research enterprise for the discovery of new knowledge in the laboratory and in the patient care setting. The College cultivates and nurtures in its students the value and need for a commitment to life-long learning.

Research Objectives
The College of Pharmacy will strive to achieve balance in its research efforts between discovery of clinically relevant drugs or drug delivery systems and pre-clinical and clinical development of these entities. Our primary area of focus will be the discovery and development of new drug molecules. Other areas of research activity will include therapeutic biomarkers, drug delivery methods, nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, and strategies for assessing individual variations in drug response, nutritional status or inborn errors of metabolism. All pre-clinical and clinical work will be performed in analytical facilities that are fully compliant with good laboratory practice. Such facilities will allow for translation of basic research discoveries into clinical development. In addition to bridging the gap between basic academic research and clinical development, we plan to educate our pharmacy students about the drug discovery process and the necessary regulatory compliance required for drug development. Our students will understand the basic science, thought process, and strategies for the generation of new drug discoveries. They will also be familiar with the safety, the formulation, and the delivery of new drug entities. They will have instruction on the principles of proper clinical trial design and the process by which a new drug product is introduced into commercial use.

Core Values 

The College operates guided by a set of values that:

• Foster Pride in pharmacy’s contributions to society.
• Maintain a Student-Centered approach in its teaching.
• Promote Leadership in its students to further develop the profession.
• Provide Diverse Pathways for its students to continue their formal education.
• Embrace and learn from the Diversity of its students and faculty. 
• Instill in its students the value of Lifelong Learning.
• Conduct all of its programs in an atmosphere of Collegiality and Mutual Respect.
• Develop a spirit of Community Service and Social Responsibility.
• Deliver its programs guided by a spirit of Integrity and Accountability.
• Maintain a program of on-going faculty and staff Development.
• Strive to achieve Academic Excellence by adhering to its standards for quality.
• Pursue Discovery with a passion for improving quality of life.

The College initiative is clearly consistent with UNE’s mission, which is to “provide a highly integrated learning experience that promotes excellence through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in education, research, and service.”  
 
Admissions

Pre-Pharmacy Admissions
Application for the two-year undergraduate pre-professional (Pre-Pharmacy) program is made through Undergraduate Admissions. Visit the Undergraduate Admissions website and find details on admissions criteria in the Catalog.

Doctor of Pharmacy Admissions
To be eligible for consideration as a doctor of pharmacy student, UNE pre-pharmacy students and transfer applicants must:

• Complete the 72 credit hours of specific undergraduate level pre-pharmacy courses in the Pre-Pharmacy program. All pre-pharmacy coursework must be completed by the end of the summer session of the year of matriculation into the College of Pharmacy.
• Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 for pre-pharmacy coursework with grades of "C" or better in each course.
• Demonstrate participation in community/campus activities.
• Complete the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) no later than January of the year of anticipated enrollment.
• Complete the online application for admission into the College of Pharmacy through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) www.pharmcas.org.  The application deadline is February 1st, 2010 to be consideration for acceptance in the fall of 2010.
• Submit two letters of recommendation. One letter will be from a pharmacist and the other from a professor familiar with the student’s work.
• Undergo a criminal background check.
• Successfully interview with the College of Pharmacy faculty.

For further details regarding transfer admission, contact the UNE graduate admissions office at: 800-477-4UNE or (207) 221-4225 or via email at gradadmissions@une.edu.

Specific Course Requirements
All math and science courses must have been completed within five years of matriculation into the College of Pharmacy.

• At least 72 acceptable undergraduate credits from an accredited institution(s).
• At least eight credit hours in general biology with labs, equivalent to two semester courses.
• At least eight credit hours of general chemistry, equivalent to two semester courses consisting of lecture and laboratory.
• At least eight credit hours of anatomy and physiology consisting of lecture and laboratory.
• At least eight credit hours of organic chemistry, equivalent to two semester courses consisting of lecture and laboratory.
• At least eight credit hours of physics, equivalent to two semester courses consisting of lecture and laboratory.
• Completion of three credits in college calculus.
• Completion of three credits in statistics for life sciences or an equivalent statistics course.
• Completion of six credits in English, including at least three credits in English composition.
• Completion of three credits in psychology.
• Completion of three credits in public speaking.
• Completion of three credits in the humanities.
• Completion of three credits in a social/global awareness course.
• Completion of six credits in liberal arts electives.
• Completion of a Red Cross certified Professional Rescuer Training course that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator training.

The College of Pharmacy reserves the right to make exceptions to the above when it deems such a decision is appropriate.

Note: Before matriculation, accepted applicants will need to obtain a physical exam with proof of up-to-date immunization status. This information must be presented upon registration.
 
Procedures and Policies

• Applications for admissions are accepted through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) www.pharmcas.org. All admission decisions are completed in the early spring prior to the start of the fall semester.
• On-campus interviews are granted to qualified applicants upon invitation by the College of Pharmacy Admissions Committee, and are required for admission to the program.
• All admission policies and procedures are subject to continuous review by the College of Pharmacy Admissions Committee and may be changed without notice. 
• Deadline for submission of a completed application with all supporting documents is February 1st, 2010 to be considered for acceptance in the fall of 2010.

Transfer Credit
Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Doctor of Pharmacy program. The Associate Dean of the College of Pharmacy will award transfer credits on a case-by-case basis.

Experiential Learning
No credit will be awarded to transfer students from another Doctor of Pharmacy program for experiential learning.

Curriculum Requirements

Ist Year
Fall Semester
PHP100   Introduction to Pharmacy Practice		3
PHS101   Pharmacy Calculations		2
PHS102   Pharmaceutics I with Laboratory		4
PHS106   Biochemistry & Drug Analysis		4
PHP108   Introduction to Drug Information & Biostatistics		2
PHS111   Pathophysiology		3
Total		18
Spring Semester
PHS104   Pharmaceutics II with Laboratory		4
PHA107   Pharmacy Practice Management		2
PHS109   Medical Immunology		3
PHS110   Microbiology		3
PHS112   Pharmacogenomics		3
PHA113   Health Care Delivery & Finance		3
Total		18
Summer
PHP115  Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience I		4
2nd Year
Fall Semester
PHS200   Biopharmaceutics/Pharmacokinetics		3
PHS202   Medicinal Chemistry I		3
PHS204   Pharmacology I		3
PHP206   Patient Assessment		3
PHS208   Biostatistics		3
Elective		2
Total		17
Spring Semester
PHP201   Clinical Pharmacokinetics		3
PHS203   Medicinal Chemistry II		3
PHS205   Pharmacology II		3
PHP207   Self Care Therapeutics		3
PHP209   Advanced Drug Information		3
Elective		2
Total		17
Summer
PHP215  Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience II		4
3rd Year
Fall Semester
PHP300   Therapeutics I		8
PHP303   Advanced Pharmacy Practice Laboratory		3
PHA304   Pharmacy Law & Ethics		3
PHS306   Pharmacy Seminar Series		1
Elective		2
Total		17
Spring Semester
PHP301   Therapeutics II		6
PHP302   Therapeutics III		6
PHP305   Outcomes Research		3
Elective		2
Total		17
4th Year
Summer, Fall, Spring
PHP400   Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (6 x 6 weeks)		36
Total Credit Hours		148

PHA- Pharmacy Administration
PHP- Pharmacy Practice
PHS- Pharmaceutical Science

Pharmacy Practice Experiences

The process of experiential education allows students to learn through action in real-world settings, putting to use the skills learned in didactic coursework.

Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE)
The Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) will consist of two, one-month assignments which, when completed, will provide 320 contact hours of experience in a community pharmacy and a hospital pharmacy. Introductory pharmacy practice experiences in community and institutional pharmacy settings begin early in the professional curriculum and are interfaced with didactic course instruction. This provides an introduction to the profession and continues in a progressive manner preparing the pharmacy student for the advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE)
The Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) will be scheduled in the fourth and final year and will consist of six, six-week experiences.  Each experience will provide 6 semester hours of credit for a total of 36 credit hours.  Each student will be required to successfully complete four required experiences in the following patient care settings:  inpatient acute care medicine (including the medical specialties); outpatient or ambulatory care such as primary care clinics, family medicine clinics, and other sites providing care to ambulatory patients; community pharmacy services as provided by independent or chain store pharmacies to include prescription dispensing, patient counseling and other patient focused services;  and hospital pharmacy services to include drug distribution, therapeutic drug monitoring, patient discharge counseling and other patient focused services that might be available. Experiential pharmacy education at this level is conducted under direct pharmacist-preceptor supervision and monitoring.

Program Standards

Academic Program Standards
Pharmacy students must complete all Doctor of Pharmacy Program requirements and receive a passing grade in all courses and clinical rotations to be eligible for graduation. The graduating student must have a cumulative grade point average of a 2.0 or better and be recommended for graduation by the faculty.

Technical Standards
All students must be able to meet the following University of New England Doctor of Pharmacy Program technical standards.  A candidate for the Doctor of Pharmacy Program must have abilities and skills in five categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. The following skills are required, with or without accommodation:

Observation:  Candidates must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient's bedside.

Communication:  Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and health care settings. Candidates must show evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills.

Motor:  Candidates must have sufficient motor function to execute movements required to provide care to patients, counsel patients, demonstrate medical devices and compound prescriptions (measure ingredients and prepare creams, ointments, intravenous solutions etc.). Candidates must be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom building, and hospital.

Intellectual:  Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize. Candidates must be able to read and understand clinical and basic science literature.

Behavioral and Social: Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities.

For more information on disabilities and accommodation, please contact the UNE Office of Students With Disabilities at (207) 602-2815.

Academic Policy

Grading Policy
Upon completion of a course of study, the faculty member in charge of that course submits the number of hours taught and a grade for each student to the the Associate Dean of the College of Pharmacy. The Doctor of Pharmacy Program uses a standard letter grade format with the exception that below average work (below a grade of C) will result in a failing grade. (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and F)

Incomplete Policy
An incomplete grade (I) is given to a student who is doing passing work in a course, but who, for reasons beyond their control, is not able to complete the work on time. The incomplete grade must be changed within the time limit determined by the instructor and may not extend beyond six weeks following the end of the semester. The incomplete grade defers computation of credits for the course to which it is assigned. Failure to complete the work before the limitation date, or within the time imposed by the instructor, results in the assignment of a failing grade (F) for the course.

Course Add/Drop or Withdrawal Policy
Due to the standard curriculum sequence within the Doctor of Pharmacy Program, students are not allowed to add or drop Doctor of Pharmacy Program core courses. Students may not withdraw from a Doctor of Pharmacy Program core course; to do so indicates a complete withdrawal from the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. A pharmacy student may withdraw from an elective course within the first week of classes.

Repeat Course Policy
Courses in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program are offered once per year. If a course is failed the student is allowed to repeat it; however, the student must wait until the next time that course is offered or come to an agreement with the course instructor and the Scholastic Standing Committee in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

Upon completion of a repeated course, a new listing and assigned grade are placed on the student's transcript. The original course listing and grade remain on the student's transcript. All courses are listed chronologically on the transcript by semester or academic period in which they are enrolled.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Books and Computers
Students in the didactic phase can plan on spending approximately $1,200 to $1,500 on required textbooks. Course syllabi and the program book list also include recommended books which students are not required to purchase, but may wish to have as important reference materials. A laptop computer is required for all students entering the Doctor of Pharmacy program. At least one copy of all required textbooks will be available for use within the Portland Campus library.

Other Expenses
Students are responsible for expenses involved with travel, parking, living expenses and meals at clinical sites.

Financial Aid
Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office at the Biddeford Campus. Call 207-602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid Office website.

Student Employment
The program discourages students from having outside employment while attending the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. If a student feels that it is necessary to work while in the program, it is advisable that the student informs their academic advisor.

Housing
For information on on-campus and off-campus housing visit the Housing and Residence Life web pages.

Student Health Care
UNE has Student Health Care Centers on both the Biddeford Campus and the Portland Campus. For more information visit the Student Health Care website.

Accreditation
The College of Pharmacy at the University of New England is currently seeking Precandidate Status through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Such status must be granted prior to enrolling any students in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. For more information see: Accreditation status.

 

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Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2009-2010 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2009.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.