Hello,
I'll answer your second question first, using information from the
U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Outlook Handbook
(http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm):
"Colleges of pharmacy require at least 2 years of college-level
prepharmacy education. Entry requirements usually include mathematics
and natural sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, as well
as courses in the humanities and social sciences. Some colleges
require the applicant to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test."
The pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) program itself is four years, so you
need at least six years of postsecondary education to become a
pharmacist.
How much math do you need to enter pharmacy school? It depends on
where you go. I looked at the guide to entry to pharmaceutical
programs from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
(http://www.aacp.org/Docs/MainNavigation/ForStudents/4583_SchoolNarratives.doc?DocTypeID=4&TrackID=&VID=1&CID=130&DID=314).
Most of the schools require entrants to have taken calculus, and many
also require statistics. You may also need to pass other
math-intensive courses such as physics and economics.
How important is math on the job? The National Association of Chain
Drug Stores says "solid capabilities in math and science" is crucial
to the job (http://www.nacds.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=2055). The
Pharmacists Association of Alberta (Canada) notes that pharmacists
need math skills to make sure the amount of medication on a
prescription is correct
(http://www.altapharm.org/association/news/GeneralDetails.cfm?p_id=2692).
In addition to interpreting and checking prescriptions, pharmacists
also need to know how to convert values between several different
systems of measurement, according to a University of Florida page
(http://www.cop.ufl.edu/safezone/prokai/pha5110/phmcalc.htm)
A Perdue University page gives the following examples of calculations
pharmacists have to make:
"Find the molecular weight of a drug when given the molecular formula
and the appropriate atomic weights
Calculate the weight of drug needed to make a solution of a given
molarity, normality, or osmolarity.
Calculate the number of equivalent weights in a given number of moles
or weight in grams and vice versa, when provided with the molecular
weight and the molecular formula.
Calculate the grams of drug needed to make a given volume of solution
at a given percentage concentration. Be able to distinguish v/v
percent from w/w, w/v percent, etc.
Calculate the proper quantity of drug, in grams and/or milliliters as
appropriate for the dose form when given:
The weight of the animal in pounds or kilograms
The dose rate of the drug in g, mg, ug, etc/pound or kg of body weight
The concentration of the drug in percentage solutions or the mass of
drug in tablets in g and gr."
(http://www.vet.purdue.edu/bms/courses/bms513/sg_02.htm)"
I recommend the AACP's careers site at
(http://www.aacp.org/site/page.asp?TRACKID=&VID=1&CID=75&DID=3082) for
more information on becoming a pharmacist.
Good luck.
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