Medical College of Wisconsin Pharmacy School Curriculum Schedule and Catalog

Students will learn about basic principles in biochemistry with a particular emphasis on pharmaceutical applications. Students will engage in lectures and interactive discussion regarding the integration of therapeutic agents into the body’s natural pathways to manage and treat disease states. This course introduces topics such as 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 to build a foundation in the understanding of basic sciences with an application to pharmacy. 

Students will learn about individual differences in metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and other biochemicals impacting drug disposition and action that underpin the practice of personalized medicine. Students will engage in topics addressing 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. This course serves as a foundational basis and introduces pharmaceutical applications to the topics addressed. In the Immunology section of the course, students will learn basic clinical immunology relevant for future practice. Students will engage in topics addressing non-specific host defense mechanisms, specific immunity, and products that impart active and passive immunity to both host and microorganisms. The course emphasizes mechanisms of vaccination, hypersensitivity, autoimmune disorders, immunity to influenza virus and the application of that knowledge for the treatment of related human diseases.

Students will learn about the physicochemical properties of drugs and drug delivery systems. Students will engage in a pharmaceutical laboratory experience demonstrating compounding, preparation, dispensing, and the administration of prescription drugs. This course introduces topics pertaining to drug stability, delivery, release, disposition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic effectiveness, and the development of quality standards for drug products with an emphasis on calculations applicable to compounding and patient dosing. 

Students will learn the foundational legal and safety regulations necessary to be successful participants during their IPPEs. Students will engage in activities to prepare them for an ethical and role in their professional careers.

In this 8-quarter laboratory sequence, students will learn and practice professional skills needed for contemporary and future practice of pharmacy. In each course, students will engage in skills-based learning which aligns with material in concurrent coursework, learn new skills which prepare them for future experiential activities, and reinforce and integrate skills learned earlier in the curriculum. The course sequence will involve frequent use of simulation, group work, and interprofessional teamwork. 

This course prepares students to be professionally competent for Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs). Students will learn the foundational legal and safety regulations necessary to be a successful participant during the IPPEs. Students will engage in activities to prepare them for a proactive and professional role in their careers.

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

Students will learn about the structure, function, and abnormalities of the human body. Students will engage in instructional and hands-on exploring of the body in a systematic fashion. This course introduces each of the major body systems to form a foundational understanding of health care delivery.

Students will continue to build on topics learned in Pharmaceutical Drug Delivery I with a larger focus on sterile and parenteral products. Students will engage in a hands-on laboratory experience utilizing the techniques and devices necessary for compounding safe and sterile products. This course reinforces calculations utilized for proper drug compounding, dosing, and administration with a focus on patient safety. 

In this 8-quarter laboratory sequence, students will learn and practice professional skills needed for contemporary and future practice of pharmacy. In each course, students will engage in skills-based learning which aligns with material in concurrent coursework, learn new skills which prepare them for future experiential activities, and reinforce and integrate skills learned earlier in the curriculum. The course sequence will involve frequent use of simulation, group work, and interprofessional teamwork.

Students will learn the structure and organization of the various health care systems and how they impact professionals today. Students will engage in projects examining critical issues surrounding patient safety and the modern delivery of medication and health services. This course introduces concepts of drug development, medication use principles, the importance of safety in patient care systems and practices, and the role that informatics and automation play in enhancing a safe and effective medication use process. 

In this course students will learn about the use of over-the-counter (OTC) and self-care medications. Students will engage in lectures and case studies examining commonly encountered self-managed disease states. This course reinforces patient assessment and communication skills needed in the delivery of health care and patient counseling.

This course is composed of two related experiences – an introductory pharmacy practice rotation and seminar – and provides foundational activities that integrate knowledge and skills. Students will apply to professional practice the facts, information, and concepts gained in didactic coursework. Students will learn about the profession of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in advancing pharmacy practice, as well as principles of professionalism, change management, interprofessional collaborative practice, law, and ethics. Students will engage in activities designed to facilitate career planning, continuous professional development, and the development of personal and professional leadership skills. 

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

Students will learn concepts and general principles underlying drug action and therapeutics, including enzyme and receptor pharmacology, structure-activity relationship and concepts in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics as they relate to drug action. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner.

Students will learn about the microbiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of infectious diseases in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

In this 8-quarter laboratory sequence, students will learn and practice professional skills needed for contemporary and future practice of pharmacy. In each course, students will engage in skills-based learning which aligns with material in concurrent coursework, learn new skills which prepare them for future experiential activities, and reinforce and integrate skills learned earlier in the curriculum. The course sequence will involve frequent use of simulation, group work, and interprofessional teamwork. 

Students will learn principles in research methods and study design, biostatistics, and literature evaluation as it relates to evidence based practice. Students will critically evaluate and interpret scientific literature to utilize the best evidence available in making patient-care decisions. 

This course is composed of two related experiences – an introductory pharmacy practice rotation and seminar – and provides foundational activities that integrate knowledge and skills. Students will apply to professional practice the facts, information, and concepts gained in didactic coursework. Students will learn about the profession of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in advancing pharmacy practice, as well as principles of professionalism, change management, interprofessional collaborative practice, law, and ethics. Students will engage in activities designed to facilitate career planning, continuous professional development, and the development of personal and professional leadership skills. 

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of renal and cardiovascular disorders in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

In this second course of a two-part series, students will continue exploring the microbiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of infectious diseases in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course. 

In this 8-quarter laboratory sequence, students will learn and practice professional skills needed for contemporary and future practice of pharmacy. In each course, students will engage in skills-based learning which aligns with material in concurrent coursework, learn new skills which prepare them for future experiential activities, and reinforce and integrate skills learned earlier in the curriculum. The course sequence will involve frequent use of simulation, group work, and interprofessional teamwork.

Students will develop a broad understanding of health and its determinants, the major issues affecting population health, and management strategies for global, national, and community-based public health programs. Students will engage in the implementation of activities that advance public health and wellness. This course introduces the application of economic principles and theories to the provision of cost-effective pharmacy products and services that optimize patient-care outcomes, particularly in situations where healthcare resources are limited.

This course is composed of two related experiences – an introductory pharmacy practice rotation and seminar – and provides foundational activities that integrate knowledge and skills. Students will apply to professional practice the facts, information, and concepts gained in didactic coursework. Students will learn about the profession of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in advancing pharmacy practice, as well as principles of professionalism, change management, interprofessional collaborative practice, law, and ethics. Students will engage in activities designed to facilitate career planning, continuous professional development, and the development of personal and professional leadership skills.

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and other acute cardiovascular conditions in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of endocrine disorders in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

In this 8-quarter laboratory sequence, students will learn and practice professional skills needed for contemporary and future practice of pharmacy. In each course, students will engage in skills-based learning which aligns with material in concurrent coursework, learn new skills which prepare them for future experiential activities, and reinforce and integrate skills learned earlier in the curriculum. The course sequence will involve frequent use of simulation, group work, and interprofessional teamwork.

Students will learn about a broad spectrum of business practices and methods vital to establishing and maintaining a successful innovative pharmacy practice. Students will engage in case discussions and various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to apply skills to successfully operate a clinical practice. The course includes management theories, motivational theories, employment issues, methods of negotiation, strategic planning, SWOT analysis, and continuous quality improvement.

This course is composed of two related experiences – an introductory pharmacy practice rotation and seminar – and provides foundational activities that integrate knowledge and skills. Students will apply to professional practice the facts, information, and concepts gained in didactic coursework. Students will learn about the profession of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in advancing pharmacy practice, as well as principles of professionalism, change management, interprofessional collaborative practice, law, and ethics. Students will engage in activities designed to facilitate career planning, continuous professional development, and the development of personal and professional leadership skills. 

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of respiratory, pain, and inflammatory disorders in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of psychiatric and neurologic disorders in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

In this 8-quarter laboratory sequence, students will learn and practice professional skills needed for contemporary and future practice of pharmacy. In each course, students will engage in skills-based learning which aligns with material in concurrent coursework, learn new skills which prepare them for future experiential activities, and reinforce and integrate skills learned earlier in the curriculum. The course sequence will involve frequent use of simulation, group work, and interprofessional teamwork.

This course is composed of two related experiences – an introductory pharmacy practice rotation and seminar – and provides foundational activities that integrate knowledge and skills. Students will apply to professional practice the facts, information, and concepts gained in didactic coursework. Students will learn about the profession of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in advancing pharmacy practice, as well as principles of professionalism, change management, interprofessional collaborative practice, law, and ethics. Students will engage in activities designed to facilitate career planning, continuous professional development, and the development of personal and professional leadership skills.

 

View the elective courses offered

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of immunological and gastrointestinal disorders in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner.  This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics of hematologic and oncologic disorders in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

In this 8-quarter laboratory sequence, students will learn and practice professional skills needed for contemporary and future practice of pharmacy. In each course, students will engage in skills-based learning which aligns with material in concurrent coursework, learn new skills which prepare them for future experiential activities, and reinforce and integrate skills learned earlier in the curriculum. The course sequence will involve frequent use of simulation, group work, and interprofessional teamwork.

This course is composed of two related experiences – an introductory pharmacy practice rotation and seminar – and provides foundational activities that integrate knowledge and skills. Students will apply to professional practice the facts, information, and concepts gained in didactic coursework. Students will learn about the profession of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in advancing pharmacy practice, as well as principles of professionalism, change management, interprofessional collaborative practice, law, and ethics. Students will engage in activities designed to facilitate career planning, continuous professional development, and the development of personal and professional leadership skills.  

View the elective courses offered

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

Students will learn about applying didactic knowledge of the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutics, and pharmacogenomics to tailoring treatment to focused populations in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Special populations will include Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, and select Vulnerable Populations. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course.

Students will learn about the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapeutics, and pharmaceutics of critical care disorders, toxicology, and substance use in an integrated, interdisciplinary course structure. Students will engage in various interactive and didactic teaching modalities to explore these concepts and use the knowledge gained to critically approach and solve patient care problems in an evidence-based manner. This course will integrate material from previous courses in a progressive manner and align with learning activities in the concurrent skills laboratory course. The final portion of this course will serve as a capstone in which material from all previous IS courses will be integrated into a series of patient cases.

During the last Patient Care Lab VIII, students will learn through a clinical symptom-based process integrating basic science courses, history, and physical findings through patient presentation and pharmacotherapeutics. The signs and symptoms topics will facilitate the transition of a student pharmacist as they prepare for clinical rotations.

Students will learn federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies that govern the practice of pharmacy, including the mitigation of prescription drug abuse and diversion. As law is best learned when applying it to specific situations and cases, students will engage in case discussions and problem-solving activities to apply law to current and future pharmacy practice problems.

This course is composed of two related experiences – an introductory pharmacy practice rotation and seminar – and provides foundational activities that integrate knowledge and skills. Students will apply to professional practice the facts, information, and concepts gained in didactic coursework. Students will learn about the profession of pharmacy and the role pharmacists play in advancing pharmacy practice, as well as principles of professionalism, change management, interprofessional collaborative practice, law, and ethics. Students will engage in activities designed to facilitate career planning, continuous professional development, and the development of personal and professional leadership skills.

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.

The student gains experience in community pharmacy practice including, but not limited to, dispensing procedures, pharmacy law, practice management, and over-the-counter and prescription pharmacotherapy assessment. The student performs medication list retrieval, patient education, clinical documentation, and other patient care skills as appropriate for the rotation site. The student may be exposed to a variety of health care conditions, including but not limited to infectious diseases, disorders of coagulation, cardiopulmonary disorders, endocrine disorders, respiratory conditions, men and women’s health, and self-care pharmacotherapy.

This rotation provides the opportunity for the student to build on knowledge and skills acquired through didactic education and prior rotation experiences to apply to the care of patients within a hospital or health-system setting. The student is exposed to daily pharmacy operations as well as acute care of patients. The student may participate in a variety of activities, including but not limited to: medication list retrieval; providing education to patients and other health care providers; medication monitoring and dosing; clinical documentation; verifying the accuracy of prepared medications; and ensuring maintenance of operational procedures. The student also participates in activities related to medication safety, quality, administration, and drug policy.

This rotation occurs in a variety of practice settings including, but not limited to, community retail pharmacies, hospital outpatient pharmacies, clinics, and physician offices. The student is an active participant on the interdisciplinary team and engages in activities involving the delivery of quality, comprehensive pharmaceutical care. These activities may include clinical care conferences, patient education and interviewing, drug therapy monitoring, developing and presenting care recommendations, physical assessments, point-of-care testing, and drug information questions. The student actively participates in in the health care decision-making process, especially as it pertains to drug therapy. The student may be exposed to a variety of health care conditions, including but not limited to infectious diseases, disorders of coagulation, cardiac disorders, diabetes mellitus, respiratory conditions, and self-care pharmacotherapy.

This rotation occurs in an inpatient, acute care setting. The student develops and explores their roles in an interdisciplinary health care team and refines skills in pharmacotherapy, pharmacokinetics, drug information retrieval and evaluation, verbal and written communication, patient monitoring, and case presentation. The student applies didactic clinical coursework to the care of the hospitalized patient and actively participates in the health care decision-making process. The student encounters a variety of patient populations, including but not limited to, renal failure, infectious diseases, disorders of coagulation, cardiac disorders, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory conditions.

These experiences allow the student to choose from additional available learning experiences to customize their education. Students may choose clinical, advanced distributive, or non-patient care rotations that enhance their professional understanding and broaden their capabilities. Rotation options include:

     - Critical Care/ICU
     - Emergency Medicine
     - Infectious Diseases
     - Compounding
     - Admin/Leadership
     - Pediatrics
     - Academia/Research
     - Nuclear Pharmacy
     - Regulatory & Drug Policy
     - Informatics
     - Medication Qlty/Safety
     - Managed Care/Insurance
     - Drug Information
     - Hospice/Palliative Care
     - Investigational Drugs
     - Long-Term Care
     - Specialty Pharmacy
     - Pharmacy Associations
     - Prison
     - Industry
     - Psychiatry
     - Veterinary Medicine
     - International Pharmacy
     - Cardiology
     - Diabetes Management
     - Geriatrics
     - Neurology
     - Oncology
     - Surgery
     - Infusion Therapy
     - Advanced Pediatrics
     - Indian Health Services
     - Underserved Populations
     - Rural Health
     - Solid Organ Transplant
     - Rehabilitation
     - Medical Toxicology
     - Disaster Management
     - Transitions of Care
     - Pain Stewardship
     - Telehealth
     - Population Health

 

 

This year-long course focuses on the application and re-enforcement of principles taught previously in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program and emphasizes lifelong learning as students prepare to move from the classroom into practice.

Activities and experiences that are purposely developed and implemented to ensure an array of opportunities for students to document competency in the affective domain-related expectations of approaches to patient care and personal and professional development. Co-curricular activities complement and advance the learning that occurs within the formal didactic and experiential curriculum.