University Of Southern Nevada

The curriculum of the PharmD Program can be divided into two major components: the didactic component and the experiential component. The didactic component consists primarily of classroom experiences in the first two professional years (P1 and P2 years). The didactic curricular content is delivered as a "modified block" system in which students concentrate on one subject area at a time. Each content area comprising a block varies in duration and is allotted as much time as necessary. The didactic portion of the P1 year consists of 14 sequential blocks and two courses which are distributed throughout the P1 year.

The experiential component begins in the P1 year and is integrated into all three professional years.

• 01. PHAR 410 Fundamentals of Drug Action and Metabolism

  A study of the composition and structure of proteins, classification of enzymes and coenzymes, enzyme kinetics and regulation, drug biotransformation, drug receptor properties, structural features of drugs, functional group properties and receptor interactions, fundamentals of pattern recognition that relate chemical structure to pharmacological action, drug dose response curves, membrane structure and transport, and mechanisms of signal transduction.

• 02. PHAR 411 Genetic Control of Cell Function, Cell Reproduction and Protein Synthesis
  A study of the basic concepts of mammalian biochemistry including the biosynthesis of proteins, nucleic acid structure and function in gene expression at the cellular level in both normal and disease states. Additionally, there is a review of nucleotide metabolism, an introduction to the pharmacology of antineoplastic agents and an introduction to pharmacogenomics
• 03. PHAR 412 Metabolism of Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Amino Acids
  A study of the basic concepts and principles of mammalian biochemistry including the digestion, absorption, biosynthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids at the cellular level in both the normal and disease states. The principles of energy transformations are also studied.
• 04. PHAR 413 Hematology and Immunology
  A study of basic hematology and immunology and the fundamental principles related to clinical immunology.
• 05. PHAR 414 Biostatistics and Clinical Trial Design
  A study of biostatistical concepts as they relate to the pharmacist’s role in evaluating drug literature and clinical trial design.
• 06. PHAR 420 Neuropharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
  This block introduces basic concepts of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry particularly as applied to the autonomic and central nervous system. In this block, a study of the basic principles of drug action is presented for specific drug classes including: the chemical properties, mechanisms of drug action, routes of administration, clinical uses, disposition, contraindications, adverse reactions, clinically significant drug interactions, and drug disease interaction.
• 07. PHAR 421 Cardiovascular, Renal, and Pulmonary Systems: Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
  This block introduces basic concepts of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry particularly as applied to the cardiovascular, renal and pulmonary systems. In this block, a study of the basic principles of drug action is presented for specific drug classes including: the chemical properties, mechanisms of drug action, routes of administration, clinical uses, disposition, contraindications, adverse reactions, clinically significant drug interactions, and drug disease interaction.
• 08. PHAR 422 Gastrointenstinal, Genitourinary and Skeletal Muscle: Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
  This block introduces basic concepts of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry particularly as applied to gastrointestinal, genitourinary and skeletal muscle systems. In this block, a study of the basic principles of drug action is presented for specific drug classes including: the chemical properties, mechanisms of drug action, routes of administration, clinical uses, disposition, contraindications, adverse reactions, clinically significant drug interactions, and drug disease interaction.
• 09. PHAR 423 Endocrine System: Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
  This block introduces basic concepts of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry as applied to the endocrine system. In this block, a study of the basic principles of drug action is presented for each specific drug class including: the chemical properties, mechanisms of drug action, routes of administration, clinical uses, disposition, contraindications, adverse reactions, clinically significant drug interactions, and drug disease interaction.
• 10. PHAR 424 Toxicology
  A study of the basic principles of toxicology along with an introduction to clinical toxicology.
• 11. PHAR 430 Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics
  A study of the application of physical and chemical principles to the development, preparation, and stabilization of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Also included is a study of biological and physicochemical factors that influence the availability of a drug from a dosage form and the subsequent disposition and response of the drug in the body.
• 12. PHAR 431 Pharmacokinetics
  The application of the concepts of biopharmaceutics and kinetics to the rational design of individualized drug dosage regimens, taking into consideration such factors as hepatic and renal impairment.
• 13. PHAR 440 Pharmacy Administration
  A study of the history of pharmacy, the role of pharmacy in the US health care system, and the laws that have shaped contemporary pharmacy practice.
• 14. PHAR 441 Pharmacy Law
  A study of the basic provisions of State and Federal pharmacy laws and regulations pertaining to pharmacy practice, licensure, controlled substances, poison, legal liabilities, laws and regulations of other health care providers, and pharmacy case law.
• 15. PHAR 442 Pharmaceutical Communications
  This course (held throughout the P1 year) emphasizes the vital role of communication in contemporary pharmacy practice. Students are evaluated in both oral and written formats. Course content includes: study of professional interpersonal communication, verbal and nonverbal communication strategies, effective interviewing techniques, patient counseling with an emphasis on over the counter (OTC) medications.
• 16. PHAR 450 Pharmaceutical Calculations
  This course (held throughout the P1 year) covers all aspects of pharmaceutical calculations including: fundamentals of measurement and calculation, measurement systems, dosage and concentration units, isotonic solutions, electrolyte solutions, and calculations related to compounding.

The didactic portion of the P2 year consists of 15 sequential blocks, 1 distributed block, Top 200 Drugs and the Scientific Writing assignment.

• 01. PHAR 511 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Fluids, Electrolytes and Nephrology

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical and laboratory assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to fluid homeostasis, electrolyte/mineral balance and major renal diseases.

• 02. PHAR 512 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Cardiology

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to major cardiovascular diseases.

• 03. PHAR 513 Clinical Immunology and Ophthalmology

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to major immune disorders and diseases involving the eye. Also included are concepts pertaining to immunization.

• 04. PHAR 514 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Pulmonology

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to major lung diseases.

• 05. PHAR 515 Therapeutic Disease State Management: GI Disorders

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to major gastrointestinal disorders.

• 06. PHAR 516 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Infectious Disease

  A study of the basic principles of antibiotic action including, for each specific antibiotic class, the mechanism of action, routes of administration, disposition, contraindications, adverse reactions, and clinically relevant drug interactions. Also included is an integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to major infectious diseases.

• 07. PHAR 517 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Hematology/Oncology

  A study of the pharmacological principles of chemotherapeutic agents. Also included is an integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to the major neoplastic and hematological diseases.

• 08. PHAR 518 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Endocrinology

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to endocrinology and endocrine disorders.

• 09. PHAR 519 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Psychiatry

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to major psychiatric disorders.

• 10. PHAR 520 Therapeutic Disease State Management: Neurology

  An integrated study of anatomy, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to major neurological disorders.

• 11. PHAR 521 Clinical Nutrition

  A study of the pathophysiology, administration, pharmacology, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, use in special populations, and review of pertinent literature as they relate to the practical applications of nutrition therapy. In addition, optimal nutrition for healthy adults and children will be reviewed.

• 12. PHAR 522 Women's and Men's Health

  An integrated study of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, patient care, alternative and complementary therapies, pharmacoeconomic issues, medication use in special populations, and review of pertinent drug literature as they relate to contraception, gender-specific disease states and/or conditions.

• 13. PHAR 523 Integration of Pharmacy Practice
  This block (held throughout the P2 year) is designed to integrate the material from the various Therapeutic Disease State Management blocks and prepare the students for management of patient care in a clinical setting prior to the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE). A study of the practical applications of pharmacy practice is presented with an emphasis on the use of patient charts, patient histories, physical and psychological assessments, diagnostics, assessment of pharmacotherapy and patient education. Additional emphasis is placed on literature evaluation and the practice of evidence-based medicine.
• 14. PHAR 540 Drug Information and Literature Evaluation
  A study of the practice of drug information, drug literature evaluation and searching, principles of evidence-based medicine, medical writing, medication safety, and pharmacovigilance.
• 15. PHAR 541 Pharmacy Administration
  A study of the economic, social, and political forces affecting the delivery of health care services. In addition, the effect of these forces on pharmacy practice and the impact of pharmacy on the health care system are explored. Also included are concepts related to people management skills.
• 16. PHAR 550 Top 200 Drugs
  This course is offered throughout the second academic (P2) year and focuses on familiarizing students with the 200 most frequently prescribed drugs. For each drug, students will: identify the trade and generic names, identify the dosage form and strengths available, describe the mechanism of action, identify drug interactions, contraindications and black box warnings associated with the use of the drug.
• 17. PHAR 560 Scientific Writing

  This assignment is designed to give students an opportunity to write a review article in scientific language in a format that would be suitable for publication. Students will apply skills learned in PHAR 540 pertaining to literature searching, evaluation, and referencing.

Elective courses are typically taken in the P3 year. Pharmacy practice experiences may also be taken as electives to fulfill the elective requirement. It is possible to take electives prior to the P3 year with approval of the instructor and the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.

• 01. PHAR 611 Advanced Pharmacotherapy
  This course is designed to give students a chance to apply the appropriate literature source to case scenarios in the following situations: for discussing diseases that were only briefly introduced in therapeutics, for treating patients with the most commonly overlapping disease states, and for selecting appropriate therapy when clear recommendations or guidelines are lacking. The course is team-taught by seasoned clinical practitioners from the local area. Students complete a take-home midterm and final assessment and participate in case discussions in class. Coordinator: Smith; Cr. Hr.:4.
• 02. PHAR 680 Complementary Medicine: Drug and Non-drug Therapies

  This course is designed to survey and analyze the alternative therapies to traditional Western medicine currently available to patients and clients in the United States with emphasis on identifying the impact and compatibility of these non-drug options with that of FDA approved medications. The areas to be covered include the following: Evidence-based approaches to therapy, Pharmacognosy, Herbal medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, prolotherapy, drug-herb interactions, phytohormone replacement, nutritional therapy, detoxification therapies, manipulative therapies, mind-body medicine, magnetic field therapies, flower essence and aromatherapy, longevity medicine, precautions and recommendations. Instructor: Lacy; Cr.Hr.: 4.

• 03. PHAR 681 Exercise Pharmacology and Toxicology
  This course is designed to provide the student with knowledge of the potential interactions of physical activity and pharmacological agents in everyday lifestyles. The course will specifically compare the mechanisms of exercise training and drug administration in maintaining healthy lifestyles. In addition, the effects of exercise on drug actions, the effects of drugs on exercise and athletic performance, and drug abuse in individuals who exercise and/or compete in athletic competition will be discussed. Instructor: Welder; Cr. Hr.: 4.
• 04. PHAR 682 Pharmacovigilance

  Pharmacovigilance is a broad-based science that involves identification and evaluation of adverse drug reactions (ADR) in order to determine appropriate actions to reduce or prevent drug-induced harm to patients. Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) confront community and hospital and institutional pharmacists on a regular basis, e.g., a patient with a possible drug reaction, analysis of a recently reported ADR, review of a recent journal article dealing with pharmacotherapy, a new drug being considered for addition to the hospital formulary, setting up a drug study with a pharmaceutical company or a group of research colleagues, or evaluating a drug data base for a government or institutional department. This important 4 credit elective course requires application of knowledge and skills obtained during the Pharm.D. program. The PVG elective enhances his/her knowledge and skills regarding discovery, evaluation, documentation plus treatment and prevention of ADRs from the patient care level to strategic planning at the program level. Students will also obtain a unique perspective of FDA regulations which govern the practice of pharmacovigilance by pharmaceutical companies. Students will also discuss methods to enhance the role of pharmacists in pharmacovigilance activities. The course directors will present didactic knowledge and skills, assessments will document the accrual of learning, and student presentations on timely issues and topics will demonstrate the students’ enhanced abilities. Instructor: Ziance; Cr. Hr.: 4.

• 05. PHAR 683 Teaching to Learn-Learning to Teach
  Block participants will learn some of the fundamentals of good teaching; e.g., writing clear outcome statements, designing learning experiences, and assessment essentials (using Bloom’s taxonomy for test development, how to write good multiple choice questions, formative vs. summative assessment). Block participants will also observe faculty teaching (with consent) and write about their observations in reports. Block participants will apply what they have learned by designing and implementing at least one learning session and assessment on their own under the supervision of the instructor. Instructors: Coffman, Smith; Cr. Hr.: 4.
• 06. PHAR 684 University of Utah School on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies
  To serve as an introductory or refresher course and a networking opportunity and to provide information, motivation and guidance for pharmacists and pharmacy students who currently participate in or wish to become involved in the planning, implementation, or strengthening of state-level and campus-level programs to help pharmacists or pharmacy students whose competence to perform their responsibilities has become impaired due to chemical dependency or other causes by assisting them in finding treatment, ongoing recovery and reentry into the practice of pharmacy or their pharmacy education. Instructor: Welder; Cr. Hr.: 2.
• 07. PHAR 685 Drug and Alcohol Addiction Education in the Health Professions
  This course is designed for the pharmacy student to increase awareness of the health and social problems of alcoholism and other drugs dependencies in the profession of pharmacy. The course will specifically address the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Alanon programs as well as familiarize the student with the local treatment programs. In addition, the student will become familiar with Nevada Pharmacists Recovery Program. Attending the University of Utah School on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies is a pre-requisite for enrolling in this course. Instructor: Welder; Cr. Hr.:2.
• 08. PHAR 686 (MBA 610) Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  This course focuses on how to become an effective leader by understanding and influencing human behavior. Instructor: Mundy; Cr. Hr.: 3.
• 09. PHAR 687 (MBA 620) Marketing
  This course focuses on how to create and communicate value to customers. Instructor: Jones; Cr. Hr.:3.
• 10. PHAR 688 Comprehensive Diabetes Management

  This is an internet-based self-directed course developed by the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, in partnership with Novo Nordisk, to provide pharmacy students with a multidisciplinary foundation in the principles of diabetes management. The student will develop their knowledge and ability to assess, manage, educate and monitor patients with diabetes. The contributing faculty members are outstanding educators and practitioners from the fields of pharmacy, nursing, medicine, behavioral psychology, medical nutrition therapy, and exercise physiology. Instructor: Coffman, Fan; Cr. Hr.:3.

• 11. PHAR 689 Introduction to Laboratory Research

  This elective is an introduction to drug development laboratory research. Students are assigned a research project to complete in the six-week timeframe. Students will learn laboratory skills, research methods and instrumentation use related to their research topics. Sample topics can include drug design and synthesis; drug delivery; drug stability and biological assay development among others. Instructor: Dey, Jorvig; Cr. Hr.:6.

The second major component of the PharmD program is its experiential curriculum. During this phase of the curriculum, students are placed in different pharmacy practice settings to learn contemporary pharmacy practice from pharmacist preceptors. The College makes every attempt to place students in sites convenient to them; however, because of the number of students and available rotations, students may be required to complete a rotation in a site that is not their first choice.

The University of Southern Nevada College of Pharmacy Experiential Program is divided into three main categories: Early Pharmacy Practice Experiences (EPPE), Core Pharmacy Practice Experiences (CPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE). The following provides a short description of student experiences and practice-related outcomes.

• 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.

• 02. PHAR 473 IPPE-Institutional - Year 1

  When: During the first six months of the didactic curriculum
  Number of Hours: 8

  Outcomes:
  The primary goal of the IPPE institutional experience is to provide students with exposure to hospital practice. The student will spend one 8-hour day in a hospital pharmacy with a pharmacist-preceptor who will provide an overview of daily practice. Similar to the first IPPE community assignment, students will complete a written assignment providing an overview of their experience, which will be submitted to faculty for review and discussion.

• 03. PHAR 472 CPPE-Community - Summer after Year 1

  When: Summer between the first and second academic year
  Number of Hours: 240 (six weeks at 40 hours per week, minimum)

  Outcomes:
  The outcome expectations for the CPPE-Community experience build on those from IPPE, culminating with the student being able to perform all duties expected of an entry-level community pharmacist. Each preceptor is supplied with a checklist of abilities that the student is expected to demonstrate by the end of the experience. A copy of the checklist is submitted for review by the College after the third week and at the end of the rotation.

• 04. PHAR 600 APPE - Year 3

  When: Third academic year
  Number of Hours: 1,440 (six, six-week rotations; minimum of 40 hrs/week)

  Outcomes:
  In general, the outcome expectations for APPE represent further advancement of student abilities to include the provision of pharmaceutical care and disease state management. Each preceptor is supplied with a checklist of abilities that the student is expected to demonstrate by the end of the six-week experience. A copy of the checklist is submitted for review by the College after the third week and at the end of the rotation.

  Required APPE
  Each student must complete each of the following rotations:

  • Ambulatory Care
    The purpose of this rotation is for students to gain professional skills in an ambulatory care practice environment. The Ambulatory Care rotation affords students the opportunity to effectively participate in the patient care decision-making process. Students will participate in a variety of clinical activities, functioning as an integral member of the healthcare team. Emphasis will be placed on the student’s ability to demonstrate their understanding of common disease states and treatment modalities as well as their ability to provide pharmaceutical care.
     
  • Adult Acute Care
    The overall goals of the Adult Acute Care experience are to promote student knowledge, skills and abilities and to effectively participate in the patient care, decision-making process in the inpatient institutional setting. During these experiences the student will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing clinical activities. The student will function as an integral part of the health care team and will gain experience with patient interviewing techniques, patient monitoring, clinical use of drugs, chemical concentrations in biological fluids, and manual and computerized methods for planning dosing regimens. Emphasis will be placed on student’s demonstration and understanding of common disease states and treatment modalities.
     
  • Advanced Community
    The overall goals of the Advanced Community experience are to promote student knowledge, skills and abilities and effectively participate in the patient care, decision-making process in the community pharmacy setting. Emphasis will be placed on disease state management, the development of professional attitudes and judgment needed to function in this practice setting.
     
  • Institutional Practice
    The purpose of this rotation is for students to gain professional skills in the distributive functions of pharmaceutical care in the inpatient setting (e.g., prescription orders and order entry, dispensing, record-keeping, patient interviewing and counseling, patient profiles, charts, third-party billing, legal requirements, compounding, sterile products, communication with other health care professionals, inventory control and etc.).
     
  • Selectives
    Selective experiences include all specialty pharmacy practice experiences. Students are required to complete two Selectives. The areas of specialty for these experiences include but are not limited to: ambulatory care, drug information, cardiology, critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, infectious disease, hematology and oncology, surgery, nutrition, and pain management.
    
    The number of the different selective experiences may vary annually based on site and preceptor availability.