University Of Southern Nevada
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
Pharmacy Curriculum
The University utilizes the block system of curricular design, which provides students with the opportunity to study one content area intensely. Faculty, using a variety of educational strategies, help students achieve the learning objectives for each block. The program does not award students traditional letter grades (e.g., A, B, C, D or F). However, faculty require students to demonstrate competency by successfully passing every assessment (examination) that is associated with each block. The program also offers a unique experiential training program that places students in a community pharmacy practice setting within the first two weeks after beginning classes in the University.
The curriculum of the University of Southern Nevada College of Pharmacy PharmD program can be divided into two major components: the didactic component and the experiential component.
01. PHAR 470 & 570 IPPE-Community - Years 1 & 2
When: During the first two didactic years of the curriculum
Number of Hours: 320 (40 eight-hour experiences)
Outcomes:
The overarching objective of IPPE is to emphasize the relevance of the didactic curriculum in relationship to contemporary pharmacy practice. Students complete activities/assignments in experiential settings derived by instructors, based on what is being taught in the classroom. These opportunities allow students to observe first-hand the drugs, patients and disease states discussed in class, thus reinforcing didactic learning experiences.
The practice-related objectives for IPPE include an array of outcomes that increase in level and intensity with student knowledge, skills, and abilities. The proscribed outcomes begin with becoming familiar with the practice site, the role and responsibilities of pharmacists and other site personnel, and culminate with the student performing rudimentary aspects of pharmaceutical care.
Student achievement of outcomes, both classroom- and practice-related, is documented in a checklist, which preceptors complete and forward to the College following each IPPE. Completed activities/assignments are discussed at the College with block faculty during the IPPE seminar.