Required Didactic Courses

Catalog

PHAR 510—Biochemistry (3)
A course of study which builds on the principles of cell biology and genetics with a systematic consideration of the chemical components and requirements of living systems from the molecular to the cellular level. These fundamentals of biochemical structure, function, and energetics provide a platform for comprehension of pharmaceutical biotechnology, and for understanding determinants of disease, the pathobiochemistry of organ systems, mechanisms of drug action and adverse reactions, and novel drug delivery systems.

PHAR 513—Drug Chemistry (2)
A study of the principles of organic chemistry that comprise basic elements of pharmaceutical science. The emphasis is on the relationship between molecular structure and chemical, physical, and biophysical properties of systems that arise from molecular interactions. The course provides a platform for comprehension of pharmaceutical concerns, such as the stability of drugs and drug products, the conformation of bioactive proteins, the basis for drug-receptor interactions, the structure of biological membranes, and major drug classes.

PHAR 514—Human Biology I (3)
A consideration of the human body as an integrated, functioning organism with emphasis on how organs work individually and in harmony during the regulation of complex body functions necessary to establish and maintain homeostasis, and mechanisms underlying disordered organ functions and homeostasis. The anatomy, histology, and physiology of the human body is organized by organ systems to include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

PHAR 516—Pharmacy Practice and Education (2)
This prefatory course introduces the new Doctor of Pharmacy student to the science and profession of pharmacy. The evolution and implications of pharmaceutical care and the philosophical basis for the pharmacy curriculum are discussed. Students are introduced to skills necessary for success during the four-year curriculum through the opportunity to critically evaluate problems, discuss ethical dilemmas, develop and apply computer and literature-retrieval skills, and practice verbal and written communication skills. The importance of independent and cooperative learning activities is emphasized.

PHAR 517—Study Design and Analysis (2)
This course is an overview of the study designs and analyses used in medical research. Students will be introduced to the vocabulary of medical research and develop an understanding of the “how and why” of clinical study design, analysis, and the interpretation of study data. This knowledge is critical to be able to evaluate, interpret, and apply medical research to pharmaceutical care of the individual patient and the health of the community (public health).

PHAR 520—Molecular Biology (3)
This course is an integrated cell and molecular biology course. It is designed to thoroughly introduce the student to the mechanisms of DNA replication, recombination, repair, transcription, protein synthesis, and gene regulation and signal transduction. The course focuses on the relationship of these processes to current pharmaceutical interventions and those of the future. At the conclusion of this course, the student will also be able to describe, in detail, the mechanisms of DNA metabolism, protein synthesis, gene regulation, and signal transduction. The student will also be able to describe and indicate the basis for current diagnostic tests that incorporate modern cell and molecular biology techniques.

PHAR 522—Context of Health Care (3)
Students actively develop a contemporary definition of health care and critically examine the health care system with special emphasis on relevant legislation, traditional and nontraditional providers of health care, the organization and financing of health care delivery, and the dynamics of pharmaceutical care within the system. The social, legal, and professional implications of informatics and computer proliferation in our society are discussed with special emphasis on pharmacy practice.

PHAR 523—Ethics in Pharmacy Practice (1)
Introduction to the principles of ethical thinking. The philosophy of ethics and role of formal codes of professional conduct are discussed in the context of resolving ethical issues in pharmacy practice.

PHAR 524—Human Biology II (3)
A consideration of the human body as an integrated, functioning organism with emphasis on how organs work individually and in harmony during the regulation of complex body functions necessary to establish and maintain homeostasis, and mechanisms underlying disordered organ functions and homeostasis. The anatomy, histology, and physiology of the human body is organized by organ systems to include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

PHAR 525—Immunology (2)
The natural and acquired protective mechanisms of the immune system are discussed with topics ranging from the structure, function, and speciﬁcity of antibodies; B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte functions; initiation and control of immune responses; histocompatibility; and immune-mediated disease. The course is designed to provide the student with sufficient knowledge of humoral and cellular immunity to understand the role of the immune system in disease, the production and use of vaccines and related biologicals, and the rapidly growing areas of transfusion, transplant, and tumor immunology.

PHAR 526—Physical Chemistry (2)
A study of selected principles of physical chemistry that comprise basic elements of pharmaceutical science. The emphasis is placed on the relationship between molecular structure and the physical and biophysical properties of systems that arise from molecular interactions. The goal of the course is to apply the principles of physical chemistry to the practice of pharmacy.

PHAR 530—Microbiology/Antibiotics I (2)
A study of the major classes of pathogenic bacteria, bacterial infectious diseases and antibacterial agents. This course surveys pertinent features of bacterial structure and virulence factors, host response and disease manifestations and antibacterial drug design, mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity proﬁle. This course will provide the framework for consideration of the therapeutic principles involved in treating bacterial diseases.

PHAR 531—Pharmaceutical Chemistry (2)
A presentation of the basic chemical principles underlying the activity, absorption, metabolism, excretion, physico-chemical properties, and design of drug molecules, culminating in a discussion of drug classes.

PHAR 532—Patient-Centered Pharmacy Practice and Management I (2)
This course provides pharmacy students an opportunity to learn important pharmacy practice and patient management skills that facilitate the development of a patient-centered pharmacy. The students learn practice management concepts that involve the development, implementation, and management of contemporary pharmacy services including patient assessment skills. Patient assessment principals and skills will be taught including the essential clinical skills of history taking and physical examination.
Management principles are provided to construct a practical framework for the operational management of a business. Elements addressed in this course include regulatory, economic, environmental variables that affect pharmacy practice and workﬂow analysis, accounting, purchasing and inventory control, quality assurance, summarizing and interpreting of ﬁnancial data for service and merchandising entities, and third-party reimbursement issues. The course also examines the current practical developments related to human resources management through integration of information on organizational behavior, psychology, economics, and law. Prerequisites: PHAR 514 and PHAR 524 Human Biology I and II, PHAR 516 Pharmacy Practice and Education, PHPC 510 and PHPC 520 Introduction to Professional Practice I and II, PHAR 522 Context of Health Care, and PHAR 523 Ethics in Pharmacy Practice.

PHAR 533—Medicinal Chemistry I (1)
A comprehensive study of the chemistry of drug products. The course outline will follow the pharmacological classiﬁcation of drug molecules, and will include discussion of chemical properties (physical and organic), stability, solubility, mechanisms of action where appropriate, and structure-activity relationships. Where possible, quantitative computer-designed studies of drug development will be mentioned.

PHAR 534—Human Biology III (3)
A consideration of the human body as an integrated, functioning organism with emphasis on how organs work individually and in harmony during the regulation of complex body functions necessary to establish and maintain homeostasis, and mechanisms underlying disordered organ functions and homeostasis. The anatomy, histology, and physiology of the human body is organized by organ systems to include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

PHAR 535—Pharmaceutics (3)
The application of fundamental principles and basic science knowledge to the multidimensional problems of the formulation, development, testing, production, distribution, and administration of safe, effective, stable, and reliable drug delivery systems. These systems, ranging in sophistication from tablets and capsules to biodegradable implants, are discussed using a problem-based approach that focuses on the critical determinants for traditional and less-traditional routes of drug administration.

PHAR 536—Pharmacology I (3)
A systematic consideration of the molecular, cellular, and organismic mechanisms of drug action, organized by major drug classes. This course of study provides knowledge of the mechanisms of drug action underlying their use in the treatment of speciﬁc and general disease processes.

PHAR 537—Principles of Drug Action (2)
A study of the chemical and biological concepts which apply to the characterization, evaluation, and comparison of all drugs. Topics such as dose-response and receptor theory, receptor transduction mechanisms, pharmacologic selectivity, pharmacogenetic drug tolerance and dependence, drug allergy, drug resistance and chemical mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and teratogenesis are discussed at the molecular and cellular level. The physical, biological, and chemical principles underlying drug absorption, distribution, biotransformation, and excretion are discussed from the molecular to the organ level.

PHAR 540—Microbiology/Antibiotics II (2)
A study of the major classes of pathogenic fungi and viruses, the diseases that they cause and antifungal and antiviral agents. This course surveys pertinent features of fungal and viral structure, virulence factors, life-cycle, disease manifestations and antifungal/antiviral drug design, mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity proﬁle. This course will provide the framework for consideration of the therapeutic principles involved in treating fungal and viral diseases.

PHAR 541—Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics (3)
This course provides the student with a basic understanding of biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics that can be applied to drug product development and drug therapy. Biopharmaceutics involves the study of the effects of dosage formulation on drug absorption and distribution. Pharmacokinetics is the study of “what the body does to the drug,” encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. The mathematical relationship between drug concentrations and time will be examined as well as the rational design of drug regimens based on patient-specific factors, pharmacokinetic parameters, and pharmacodynamics. Pharmacodynamics represents the study of the relationship between drug concentrations and the resultant pharmacologic action.

PHAR 542—Clinical Chemistry (1)
The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the medical record. Didactic presentations will emphasize the scientific basis for a variety of laboratory tests while the illustrative case discussions will emphasize the clinical importance and interpretation of these tests in a patient care environment. Students will be exposed to real data, emphasizing the understanding and application of the basic and clinical sciences for the purpose of interpreting pertinent physical findings and clinical laboratory data.

PHAR 543—Medicinal Chemistry II (2)
A comprehensive study of the chemistry of drug products. The course outline will follow the pharmacological classiﬁcation of drug molecules, and will include discussion of chemical properties (physical and organic), stability, solubility, mechanisms of action where appropriate, and structure-activity relationships. Where possible, quantitative computer-designed studies of drug development will be mentioned.

PHAR 544—Patient-Centered Pharmacy Practice and Management II (2)
This course provides pharmacy students an opportunity to learn important pharmacy practice and patient management skills that facilitate the development of a patient-centered pharmacy. The students learn practice management concepts that involve the development, implementation, and management of contemporary pharmacy services including patient assessment skills. Patient assessment principals and skills will be taught including the essential clinical skills of history taking and physical examination.
Management principles are provided to construct a practical framework for the operational management of a business. Elements addressed in this course include regulatory, economic, and environmental variables that affect pharmacy practice and workﬂow analysis, accounting, purchasing and inventory control, quality assurance, summarizing, and interpreting of ﬁnancial data for service and merchandising entities, and third-party reimbursement issues. The course also examines the current practical developments related to human resources management through integration of information on organizational behavior, psychology, economics, and law. Prerequisites: PHAR 532 Patient-Centered Pharmacy Practice and Management I, PHAR 514 and PHAR 524 Human Biology I and II, PHAR 516 Pharmacy Practice and Education, PHPC 510 and PHPC 520 Introduction to Professional Practice I and II, PHAR 522 Context of Health Care, and PHAR 523 Ethics in Pharmacy Practice.

PHAR 546—Pharmacology II (3)
A systematic consideration of the molecular, cellular, and organismic mechanisms of drug action, organized by major drug classes. This course of study provides knowledge of the mechanisms of drug action underlying their use in the treatment of speciﬁc and general disease processes.

PHAR 552—Principles of Human Nutrition (1)
This required course builds on materials in earlier coursework including Fundamentals, Basic Science, and Pharmaceutical Science. The course focuses on the preparation of pharmacists to deliver pharmaceutical care services related to patients’ nutritional needs. The course prepares the student to understand principles of nutrition in relation to contemporary public health issues and to treatment of diseases and physiologic processes. The materials taught in this course are applied and further developed in subsequent modules in the Integrated Science and Therapeutics course sequence and in Longitudinal Pharmaceutical Care II.

PHAR 553—Population-Based Medical Information Analysis (2)
This course is designed to enhance a student’s skills in the areas of information collection, retrieval, analysis, and interpretation. A variety of topics surrounding the aspects of drug information practice will be presented, including the role of informational services in health care. Students will enhance both their written and verbal communication skills as they not only are asked to retrieve pertinent clinical information, but also then to interpret, document, and integrate this information into the development of clinical practice guidelines and subsequent outcome measures.

PHAR 554—Integrated Science and Therapeutics I (4)
PHAR 555—Integrated Science and Therapeutics II (4)
PHAR 564—Integrated Science and Therapeutics III (4)
PHAR 565—Integrated Science and Therapeutics IV (4)
Basic and clinical science faculty interact with students during a variety of didactic and laboratory experiences as students learn to design, implement, and monitor pharmaceutical care plans for speciﬁc patients with speciﬁc diseases. Methods for the choice of drug product, deﬁnitions of the speciﬁc goals of therapy, including the means to assess whether these goals are being achieved, and active intervention steps at the patient, prescriber, health care system, and population levels to ensure successful outcomes of drug therapy are developed. The courses are organized according to the major physiological systems of the human body, and the disease states commonly associated with them and encountered and observed by the pharmacy practitioner in a variety of community and institutional practice settings. A goal of these courses is to prepare students to be able to better integrate new scientiﬁc knowledge into the successful pharmaceutical care of patients with the goal of reducing the health care costs to patients and society. The knowledge and behaviors acquired during these courses prepare the student for the community and institutional pharmaceutical care rotations of the experiential learning program of the curriculum.

PHAR 580—Pharmacy Law (2)
An examination of the legal and regulatory issues pertaining to drugs and devices and the practice of pharmacy. Students learn the various laws and regulations which would govern their usual daily activities in a variety of practice sites. This course seeks to prepare students for the Maryland State Board law exam.

PHAR 581—Senior Colloquium (1)
Students deliver oral presentations to share some aspect of their educational experience, practice aspirations, or career goals with their student peers and the faculty. This forum fosters a critical examination of each student’s formal education in the context of the practice of pharmaceutical care.