Pre-requisite courses
Before you apply to the School of Pharmacy at Memorial University, you must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours including the following and/or their equivalencies at a recognized university or college: (click on the subject for detailed course descriptions)
- Biology 1001 and 1002 – Principles of Biology (6.0 credit hrs)
- Chemistry 1050 and 1051 or equivalent – General Chemistry (6.0 credit hrs). (The first-year chemistry program consists of a two-course option for those who are well prepared from high school, Chemistry 1050/1051, or a three course stream for those less prepared, Chemistry 1010/1011/1031.)
- English – any 6.0 credit hours at the 1000-level
- Mathematics 1000 and 1001 – Calculus I and II (6.0 credits hrs) (Click here for important information regarding pre-requisite high school courses and the math placement test.)
- Physics 1020 and 1021 - Introductory Physics I and II or Physics 1050 and 1051 - General Physics I & II (6.0 credit hrs)
Attention transfer students: the above course listings relate to courses taught at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's campus.
It is your responsibility to make sure you have met the pre-requisite requirements before applying to the school of pharmacy.
Contact the Registrar's Office at mdonovan@mun.ca to see if courses taken at another university or college can be transferred to Memorial University for credit.
For those attending Memorial University's Grenfell Campus, the following courses are acceptable for admission to the School of Pharmacy:
- Biology 1001 and 1002
- Chemistry 1200 and 1001
- English - any 6.0 credit hours at the 1000 level
- Mathematics 1000 and 1001
- Physics 1020 and 1021 or Physics 1050 and 1051
Any Questions? First, check out our Frequently Asked Questions section below. If you still need help, feel free to email pharminfo@mun.ca or call (709) 777- 8300.
FAQ
How do I know if a course taken at another university/college is equivalent to the pre-requisite courses at Memorial University?
If you haven't submitted an application for admission but want to know if the courses you've taken are equivalent, contact the University Registrar at mdonovan@mun.ca. Make sure to provide the course description and outline for the course that you think is equivalent to the Memorial University course.
If you have submitted an application for admission, the University Registrar will automatically assess courses on your transcript for pre-admission purposes. If you're accepted into the program, your entire transcript will then be assessed.
Is there a minimum grade requirement for the pre-admission courses?
A passing grade (i.e. 50%) is required for all pre-admission courses but you should keep in mind that it is important to have a strong background in sciences to be successful. Click here for more information on successful grade benchmarks for the pharmacy program.
Can I take pre-admission courses in the spring/summer semester and be considered for admission in September that same year?
Unfortunately no. Spring and summer grades are issued too late to be considered for September admission of the same year.
Applicants should complete the required pre-admission courses by the end of the winter session (April) for the year in which admission is being sought. This allows official transcripts to be received and reviewed in our office by June 1.
Do I have to take a full course load (i.e. five courses per semester) during the pre-Pharmacy year(s) to be considered for admission?
The Pharmacy program is academically challenging requiring students to take 6 sometimes 7 courses per semester so you must demonstrate your ability to handle that.
We prefer to admit students who have evidence of their ability to manage a full course load (i.e. five courses per semester).
If a student takes two years to complete the pre-admission courses, he/she is encouraged to carry a full course load in at least two semesters.
Given the competitive nature for admission, the Admissions Committee may consider factors such as the course load taken throughout university, the number and/or frequency of repeat course attempts that are required for admission.
Are applicants who complete the pre-admission requirements at Memorial University given preference over those who attend another post-secondary institution?
No. As long as you have completed courses that are equivalent to those at Memorial University you will be eligible for admission.
Please note that a number of seats are reserved for bona fide residents of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, therefore out-of-province applicants should expect a more challenging admissions process. Click here for more information on how we review applications.
