Year 1 Course Descriptions (3 Year PharmD)

Foundations 1 is the first of a two-course series centered on developing the core knowledge in the basic, pharmaceutical, clinical and social sciences required for their roles as future health care professionals. Students will learn and apply the course content in the context of their professional roles of scientist, professional, care provider, communicator, collaborator, advocate, scholar, and leader. This course provides the foundation for understanding the pharmacist role in the health care system and explores professional identity. 

Prerequisites: None                 

Co-requisites: None

This is the first in a series of courses which will provide students with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage patients’ drug therapy. Throughout this series of courses, students will learn to integrate evidence-based research, collaborate with other disciplines, and prioritize patient centered care in their future practice.

In the first half of this block, students will explore the critical role of vaccines in reducing infectious diseases, examining the biological mechanisms behind immunity and addressing ethical considerations like equitable access and informed consent. Students will also explore musculoskeletal disorders, GERD, peptic ulcer disease, diarrhea, and constipation, emphasizing the importance of drug formulation, bioavailability, and drug interactions within the gastrointestinal tract. Students will learn how to develop individualized treatment plans, evaluate complementary and alternative medicines, and manage medication adverse effects to ensure safe, effective patient care.

The second half of the block will provide students with an introduction to dermatology (skin and mucous membrane) and eye, ear, nose and throat systems including a focus on the role of self-care and minor ailment prescribing in Ontario. The course will teach the pathophysiology of dermatological and EENT conditions, and related mechanisms of immunity, the importance of drug formulation and vehicles, bioavailability, and drug interactions within the skin and EENT systems.

Prerequisites: PHM 100           

Co-requisites: PHM 171, PHM 191

This is the second in a series of courses which will provide students with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage patients’ drug therapy. Throughout this series of courses, students will learn to integrate evidence-based research, collaborate with other disciplines, and prioritize patient centered care in their future practice.

This course will cover the most common conditions associated with the respiratory and cardiovascular system along with diabetes mellitus. An understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology will allow students to select the appropriate pharmacotherapy for an individual patient. The students will be able to integrate knowledge of foundational sciences (e.g, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry and pharmacokinetics) and social sciences (adherence, health advocacy and social determinants of health) into the care of patients.

Prerequisites: PHM 100, PHM 161, PHM 171                

Co-requisites: PHM 172, PHM 191

This is the third in a series of courses which will provide students with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage patients’ drug therapy. Throughout this series of courses, students will learn to integrate evidence-based research, collaborate with other disciplines, and prioritize patient centered care in their future practice.

This course will cover People Centred Care Across the Lifespan. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage patient cases effectively and safely in topics including thyroid disorders, gender affirming hormone therapy, contraception, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, pregnancy & lactation, osteoporosis and falls and frailty in older adults. Students will learn and apply expertise in physiology, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy to meet diverse patient needs, ensuring effective and safe clinical decisions. Students will also critically evaluate and apply evidence-based practices. By the end of this course, you will be well-prepared to deliver respectful, individualized, and comprehensive healthcare that supports patient autonomy and fosters a collaborative approach to health across the lifespan. We look forward to helping you become compassionate, knowledgeable, and effective pharmacists.

Prerequisites: PHM 100, PHM 161, PHM 162, PHM 171, PHM 172                     

Co-requisites: PHM 173, PHM 191

This is the first of a series of six pharmacy skills and simulation focused courses where students will apply knowledge and develop skills needed to provide patient centred pharmacy care. Students will engage in guided, independent and collaborative learning experiences such as conducting patient interviews, gathering and interpreting health and medication histories, participating in prescription processing, responding to drug information queries, performing physical assessments, and evaluating appropriateness of drug therapy. Students will explore the ethical and legal dimensions of pharmacy practice, including responsible prescribing and decision making that prioritizes patient safety and fosters culturally competent care. Topics covered in this course will align with Applied Therapeutics 1.

Prerequisites: PHM 100           

Co-requisites: PHM 161, PHM 191

This is the second of a series of six pharmacy skills and simulation focused courses where students will apply knowledge and develop skills using standardized patients needed to provide patient centred pharmacy care. Students will engage in guided, independent and collaborative learning experiences such as conducting patient interviews, gathering and interpreting health and medication histories, participating in prescription processing, responding to drug information queries, performing physical assessments, and evaluating appropriateness of drug therapy. Students will explore the ethical and legal dimensions of pharmacy practice, including responsible prescribing and decision making that prioritizes patient safety and fosters culturally competent care. Topics covered in this course will align with Applied Therapeutics 2.

Prerequisites: PHM 100, PHM 161, PHM 171                

Co-requisites: PHM 162, PHM 191

This is the third of a series of six pharmacy skills and simulation focused courses where students will apply knowledge and develop skills using standardized patients needed to provide patient centred pharmacy care. Students will engage in guided, independent and collaborative learning experiences such as conducting patient interviews, gathering and interpreting health and medication histories, participating in prescription processing, responding to drug information queries, performing physical assessments, and evaluating appropriateness of drug therapy. Students will explore the ethical and legal dimensions of pharmacy practice, including responsible prescribing and decision making that prioritizes patient safety and fosters culturally competent care. Topics covered in this course will align with Applied Therapeutics 3.

Prerequisites: PHM 100, PHM 161, PHM 162, PHM 171, PHM 172                     

Co-requisites: PHM 163, PHM 191

Experiential Learning 1 is the first of two early experiential courses and consists of 160 hours in a community pharmacy practice site completed longitudinally one day per week during Year 1. Students will actively participate in day-to-day activities within a direct patient care community pharmacy practice setting, thus enabling application of knowledge, skills and values learned in faculty-based courses and simulated practice environments (Pharmacy Practice Skills & Simulation laboratories). Students will also participate in a debrief in in-class workshops after Applied Therapeutics courses to discuss their experiences and consolidate their learning with their peers.

Prerequisites: PHM 100

Co-requisites: PHM 161, PHM 162, PHM 161, PHM 171, PHM 172, PHM 173