AspiringPA21 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Has anyone taken an online pharmacology course (distance learning) that counted towards the sGPA and was accepted by most schools? I live in NYC and I can't find any school in a close proximity that gives this course. One school did but they stopped since no one would register for the class. I have heard pharmacology has been a tough course for all students so I rather take that to boost my GPA and have the background when starting PA school (one day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kettle Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 I took one online through the University of MN (I live here too) and I found it to be very easy however I had extensive exposure to pharmacology from paramedic school and being on the ambulance for ten years. It counted as a prerequisite at every school I applied to that needed pharmacology as a prerequisite however it was not figured into my Biology/Chemistry/Physics GPA on CASPA because it is not one of those classes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringPA21 Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 32 minutes ago, kettle said: I took one online through the University of MN (I live here too) and I found it to be very easy however I had extensive exposure to pharmacology from paramedic school and being on the ambulance for ten years. It counted as a prerequisite at every school I applied to that needed pharmacology as a prerequisite however it was not figured into my Biology/Chemistry/Physics GPA on CASPA because it is not one of those classes Would you know of any other college/uni that does have a pharmacology course that counts towards the sGPA? I really want to learn pharm but I would like it to boost my sGPA as well. I'm not sure how distant learning courses work if I take it online and being I'm from another state. Would you know how to send the transcript to CASPA as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kettle Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 If it were to boost your science GPA it would have to be through a biology, physics or chemistry department. I do not know of any schools that offer pharm though these departments. Mine was through the pharmacy school. You send it to CASPA just like any other course from any school you take credits at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringPA21 Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 Thats Interesting. The school that used to give it was through its BIO dept and I do know one university that gives it through their biomedical dept since they have a pharm program but the price is $1000 a credit so im not trying to spend that much. Thank you for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwar512 Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 University of North Dakota has a good online pharmacology course. You can enroll anytime, and watch the lectures and take tests on your own schedule. I used an online proctoring service to take my tests, so there was never a need to be on or near campus. http://und.edu/academics/extended-learning/online-distance/courses/ppt315/ This counted as a prerequisite for all of the schools I applied to that required it. I don't believe a course needs to be offered through a bio, chem, or physics department to contribute to your science GPA. On CASPA's website pharmacology is listed as a course in the "Other Science/Science GPA" section. The science GPA and BCP GPA are separate calculations. https://help.liaisonedu.com/CASPA_Applicant_Help_Center/Submitting_and_Monitoring_Your_CASPA_Application/Verification_and_GPA_Calculations_for_CASPA/CASPA_Course_Subjects 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringPA21 Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 7 hours ago, edwar512 said: University of North Dakota has a good online pharmacology course. You can enroll anytime, and watch the lectures and take tests on your own schedule. I used an online proctoring service to take my tests, so there was never a need to be on or near campus. http://und.edu/academics/extended-learning/online-distance/courses/ppt315/ This counted as a prerequisite for all of the schools I applied to that required it. I don't believe a course needs to be offered through a bio, chem, or physics department to contribute to your science GPA. On CASPA's website pharmacology is listed as a course in the "Other Science/Science GPA" section. The science GPA and BCP GPA are separate calculations. https://help.liaisonedu.com/CASPA_Applicant_Help_Center/Submitting_and_Monitoring_Your_CASPA_Application/Verification_and_GPA_Calculations_for_CASPA/CASPA_Course_Subjects That's awesome! How in depth is this pharmacology course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwar512 Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 20 hours ago, AspiringPA21 said: That's awesome! How in depth is this pharmacology course? It's the only pharmacology class I've taken, so without something to compare it to it's hard to say. I thought it was pretty comprehensive though. I was intimidated at first, because the lectures covered a lot of information regarding the physiology of drug actions and I hadn't taken physiology recently. But the tests were more focused on memorizing the trade name, generic name, use, class, and mechanism of action of different drugs. I think it gave me a good foundation, and I'm glad I have at least a basic understanding of pharmacology going into PA school. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sades Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 @aspirantPA UC San Diego Extension has a pharmacology course that's only $347 and is 1/8/17 - 3/24/17. It's only 3 quarter units (so 2 semester units). I wanted to take the U of ND one because it seemed more extensive but its so expensive (pretty sure >$1000) & San Diego's seems like great content still! I am not sure if this would interest you though because I do not believe it would count toward your sGPA plus its low credit hours. I copied and pasted some of the information from the syllabus below course #: FPM-40382 # of units: 3 total # of instruction: 36 course description: The courses specifically address topics covered in medical pharmacology, including indications and dosage, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, adverse effects and contraindications. course goals and objective: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: ● Apply mathematics for drug usage and demonstrate accuracy in converting from one system to another. ● Understand the principles of drug administration and pharmaceutical preparations. ● Know common abbreviations related to route of administration and frequency of dosage. ● Identify the drugs and medications with their effect on our body systems such as; the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, urinary, nervous and endocrine. ● Recognize symptoms of untoward reactions. ● Identify the antibiotics as well as their functions, uses, and side effects. ● Know the antineoplastic drugs and the radioactive isotopes used in cancer and immunosuppressive therapy. ● Recognize the characteristics and functions of vitamins and minerals in the body. ● Posses a foundation and interest for further study in pharmacology. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringPA21 Posted January 6, 2018 Author Share Posted January 6, 2018 1 hour ago, edwar512 said: It's the only pharmacology class I've taken, so without something to compare it to it's hard to say. I thought it was pretty comprehensive though. I was intimidated at first, because the lectures covered a lot of information regarding the physiology of drug actions and I hadn't taken physiology recently. But the tests were more focused on memorizing the trade name, generic name, use, class, and mechanism of action of different drugs. I think it gave me a good foundation, and I'm glad I have at least a basic understanding of pharmacology going into PA school. Thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringPA21 Posted January 6, 2018 Author Share Posted January 6, 2018 26 minutes ago, Sades said: @aspirantPA UC San Diego Extension has a pharmacology course that's only $347 and is 1/8/17 - 3/24/17. It's only 3 quarter units (so 2 semester units). I wanted to take the U of ND one because it seemed more extensive but its so expensive (pretty sure >$1000) & San Diego's seems like great content still! I am not sure if this would interest you though because I do not believe it would count toward your sGPA plus its low credit hours. I copied and pasted some of the information from the syllabus below course #: FPM-40382 # of units: 3 total # of instruction: 36 course description: The courses specifically address topics covered in medical pharmacology, including indications and dosage, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, adverse effects and contraindications. course goals and objective: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: ● Apply mathematics for drug usage and demonstrate accuracy in converting from one system to another. ● Understand the principles of drug administration and pharmaceutical preparations. ● Know common abbreviations related to route of administration and frequency of dosage. ● Identify the drugs and medications with their effect on our body systems such as; the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, urinary, nervous and endocrine. ● Recognize symptoms of untoward reactions. ● Identify the antibiotics as well as their functions, uses, and side effects. ● Know the antineoplastic drugs and the radioactive isotopes used in cancer and immunosuppressive therapy. ● Recognize the characteristics and functions of vitamins and minerals in the body. ● Posses a foundation and interest for further study in pharmacology. That sounds really good, especially for the price. I would have to look into both of them. Thank you so much! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sades Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 @aspirantPA you're welcome!! I also found an online pdf of the textbook (Pharmacology: An Introduction 7th by Hitner/Nagle) for only $13. Here's the link: https://digitalbookhome.com/product/pharmacology-an-introduction-p-s-health-occupations-ebook/ I hope you find a class that works for you 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatherineprePA Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Hey, I'm currently on the same boat (want to take pharmacology to boost my sGPA), I'm having a difficult time deciding where to take this course, can I ask where did you end up taking it and would you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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