The University of Iowa Doctor of Pharmacy professional (PharmD) program serves the state and society by educating broadly-prepared pharmacy professionals who deliver patient-focused and population-based care.

First Professional Year (P1)

Course description course number semester hours
Engagement: Professional Skills and Values Develop as a professional prior to the beginning of classes, meet faculty, become acquainted with the college. PHAR:8131 2
Foundations of Health Services Foundation issues for pharmacist practice related to social, economic, organizational design, etc. PHAR:8134 3
Foundations of Pharmaceutical Sciences Introduction and overview of foundations of pharmaceutical sciences. PHAR:8136 6
Foundations of Pharmacy Practice I Introduction to contemporary pharmacy practice, small-group discussion, application of core concepts. PHAR:8130 4
Fundamentals of Compounding Introduction to personalized drug delivery systems through the art of compounding. PHAR:8152 1
Health Information Retrieval and Informatics Introduction and overview of health care information retrieval, organization and dissemination. PHAR:8135 3
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Career Exploration* Hands-on exposure to various pharmacist career opportunities in four different pharmacy practice patient care settings. 
*May be Fall or Spring
PHAR:8133 1

Total semester hours: 18-19

Course description course number semester hours
Discovery I:  Introduction and Background Creation and dissemination of new knowledge related to pharmacy or health care. PHAR:8131 3
Foundations of Health, Wellness, and Disease Overview of basic processes of good health and practices that promote wellness. PHAR:8150 2
Foundations of Pharmacology and Toxicology Principles of pharmacology and toxicology. PHAR:8149 3
Foundations of Pharmacy Practice II Introduction to contemporary pharmacy practice for first-year pharmacists. PHAR:8140 4
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Dermatology and Sensory Key elements of science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner, focused on organ systems or disease states. PHAR:8153 2
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Career Exploration* Hands-on exposure to various pharmacist career opportunities in four different pharmacy practice care settings.
*50% take in Fall and 50% take in Spring
PHAR:8133 1
Pharmacokinetics and Dose Optimization   PHAR:8148 2

Total semester hours: 15-17

Second Professional Year (P2)

Course description course number semester hours
Applications of Pharmacy Practice I Expands on skills and concepts taught in the foundations of pharmacy practice course series and includes skills relevant to the disease states in the specific aligned component courses. PHAR:8250 1
Discovery II: Design and Methods Create and disseminate new knowledge related to pharmacy or health care with emphasis on design methods and data collection. PHAR:8255 1
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Musculoskeletal Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on musculoskeletal and musculoskeletal-related conditions. PHAR:8252 4

Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Genitourinary & Reproductive

Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on genitourinary and reproductive health. PHAR:8253 3
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Endocrine Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on endocrine diseases. PHAR:8254 3
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences Community* Exposure to the provision of care in a community pharmacy setting; activities focus on those experiences related to the community pharmacy environment, medication distribution, special products and populations, and related professional activities.
*May be taken during a different session
PHAR:8207 3
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences Hospital* Exposure to the provision of care in a hospital pharmacy setting; activities focus on those experiences related to the hospital pharmacy environment, medication distribution, special products and populations, and related professional activities.
*May be taken during a different session
PHAR:8209 3

Total Semester Hours: 12-18

Course description course number semester hours
Applications of Pharmacy Practice II Expands on skills and concepts taught in the foundations of pharmacy practice course series and includes skills relevant to the disease states in the specific integrated pharmacotherapy courses. PHAR:8265 1
Discovery III: Data Collection and Results Create and disseminate new knowledge related to pharmacy or health care with emphasis on data collection and results. PHAR:8264 1
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Cardiovascular Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on cardiovascular diseases and conditions. PHAR:8260 4
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Infectious Diseases Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on infectious diseases. PHAR:8263 4
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Neurology and Psychiatry Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on neurological and psychiatric diseases and conditions. PHAR:8261 4
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences Community* Exposure to the provision of care in a community pharmacy setting; activities focus on those experiences related to the community pharmacy environment, medication distribution, special products and populations, and related professional activities.
*May be taken in a different session.
PHAR:8207 3
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences Hospital* Exposure to the provision of care in a hospital pharmacy setting; activities focus on those experiences related to the hospital pharmacy environment, medication distribution, special products and populations, and related professional activities.
*May be taken in a different session.
PHAR:8209 3

Total Semester Hours: 14-20

Third Professional Year (P3)

Course Description Course Number Semester Hours
Advanced Topics in Health Services Exploration of advanced topics in health service. PHAR:8375  
Applications of Pharmacy Practice III Expands on skills and concepts taught in the foundations of pharmacy practice course series and includes skills relevant to the disease states in the specific aligned component courses. PHAR:8374  
Discovery IV: Presentation of Results Dissemination and presentation of new knowledge related to pharmacy or health care with emphasis on design methods and data collection. PHAR:8376  
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Gastroenterology and Nutrition Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on particular organ systems or disease states. PHAR:8372  
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Oncology and Hematology Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on particular organ systems or disease states. PHAR:8371  
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on particular organ systems or disease states. PHAR:8373  
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Respiratory and Allergy Key elements of the science and practice of pharmacy presented in an integrated manner focused on particular organ systems or disease states. PHAR:8370  
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Clinical* This third IPPE clinical is completed as an introduction to the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) to which student pharmacists are exposed during their P4 year; the IPPE clinical involves a P3 student observing and participating with a P4 student currently on an APPE rotation.
*May be assigned during the Fall or Spring semester
PHAR:8301  

Total Semester Hours: 16-17

Course description course number semester hours
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences Preparation Guidance provided for advanced pharmacy practice experiences. PHAR:8379  
Continuing Professional Development* Engagement with profession of pharmacy and community through service and leadership activities and reflection. PHAR:8132  
Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Capstone Capstone serves as a culminating academic and research project for students and mentors, integrating all areas of professional discovery. PHAR:8377  
Pharmacy Law and Ethics Topics include ethical behavior for pharmacists and student of pharmacy law. PHAR:8378  

Total Semester Hours: 14-20

Fourth Professional Year (P4)

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. PHAR:94XX
Total semester hours: 12

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. PHAR:94XX
Total semester hours: 18

  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. PHAR:94XX
  • Learning Portfolio II. Students continue to demonstrate and document mastery of experiential and didactic coursework and assignments, as well as self-assessment of progression. PHAR:8402

Total semester hours: 19

Students in TBL

Real-Life Pharmacy Experiences

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Skills Lab Students

Hands-On Skills Labs

What is the Pharmacy Practice Learning Center?