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Belmont University Graduate Catalog 2016-17

Pharmacy Courses (PHM)

Biomedical Sciences


PHM 6115 Biochemistry for Pharmacy (4). [co-req. PHM6120] This course introduces central subjects in biochemistry with emphasis on clinical understanding of biochemical processes in human health and disease. Topics include the structure and function of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, properties of membranes, intermediary metabolism, nutrition, hormonal regulation of metabolism, and genetic information storage and utilization. PHM 6120 Human Anatomy & Physiology for Pharmacy (3) This course covers the human body’s structure (gross, microscopic, and major systems), emphasizing system interaction, homeostasis and pathophysiology within anatomical structures and functions most affected by drug therapy, and covering the pathophysiologic rationale behind focused assessments, patient signs and symptoms, laboratory tests and resulting treatments.

PHM 6120 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Pharmacy (3). [Prerequisites: PHM6120, co-req. PHM6115]. This course covers the gross and microscopic structure of the human body as well as all the major systems in the human body, while emphasizing system interaction, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Introduction to the pathophysiologic rationale behind focused assessments, patient signs and symptoms, laboratory tests and treatments given will be covered. An emphasis will be placed on anatomical structures and functions most affected by drug therapy.

PHM 6150 Microbiology and Immunology for Pharmacy (3). [Prerequisites: PHM6115]. An introduction to microbial pathogenesis and the molecular mechanisms by which microbes interact with their host to cause damage leading to disease, this course examines micro and macroparasites with regard to structure, metabolism, genetics and life-cycle, emphasizing their relation to host-pathogen interactions. Host defense mechanisms, including the structural, molecular and cellular basis of both the innate and acquired immune system are presented, focusing on current and future therapeutic targets to prevent and eliminate infection.


Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHM 6100 & PHM 6140 Pharmaceutics 1 & 2 (4, 4). [Prerequisites: Courses must be taken in sequence]. A two-course sequence covering pharmaceutical calculations, dosage forms and drug delivery systems, focuses on fundamental principles and definitions, and the science of drug formulation, development, testing, production and distribution systems. Laboratory experiences allow students to apply knowledge to practical situations by preparing and dispensing pharmaceutical solutions, emulsions, suspensions, semi-solid and solid dosage forms with emphasis on excipients selection for extemporaneous compounding.

PHM 6110, PHM 6145, PHM 6210 &  PHM 6240 Pharmacodynamics 1, 2, 3 & 4 (3, 3, 3, 3). [Prerequisites: Courses must be taken in sequence; PHM6145 prerequisite is PHM6115; PHM6210 prerequisite is PHM6150, PHM6115 and PHM6120 are prerequisites for PHM6145]. Study of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, covering structure activity relationships and mechanism of drug action, receptor activity, dose response relationships and principals of drug action on the human body with the application of these principals to specific drug classes and related health issues.

PHM 6250 Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics (3). [Prerequisites: PHM6100, PHM 6110, & PHM6140]. This course examines absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of chemical substances and the factors that affect these processes in humans as the foundation for rational dosing of therapeutic agents. Pharmacokinetic modeling principles are presented, emphasizing compartmental, physiological and non-compartmental approaches illustrated by examples from the areas of therapeutics and toxicology.

Social, Behavioral and Administrative Sciences: Pharmacy Practice Management

PHM 6135 The Dean’s Hour (1). This course surveys the spectrum of pharmacy practice to introduce students to cultural and political aspects of practice, to assimilate them as new members of the profession. Guest lecturers and panel members share practice wisdom and advice. 

PHM 6155 Health Care Delivery (3). This course presents the structure and functioning of the U.S. health care system, emphasizing issues associated with health care, health care professionals, and how health care is organized, financed, and regulated, resulting in health care access and equity disparities.

PHM 6160 Introduction to Drug Information and Informatics (2). Students learn sources of drug information and how to access them through the use of computer-based technology.  Students are challenged to find and properly supply the most appropriate information, in oral or written format.

PHM 6220 Managing Personnel (2). Students learn fundamental theories and their application to managing and motivating professional, para-professional and general administrative staff in pharmacy and health care organizations.

PHM 6225 Communication & Counseling Skills (3). [Prerequisites: PHM6130, PHM6165, Co-reqs., PHM6200]. Students learn techniques and strategies pharmacists use to enhance health-related interactions and interpersonal relationships with patients, care givers, physicians, nurses, and coworkers employing principles of effective communication.

PHM 6260 Professional and Technical Writing (2). [Prerequisites: PHM6160]. Students develop the ability to write to varied audiences for varied purposes within the context of health care delivery and professional interaction.

PHM 6315 Biomedical Literature Evaluation for Pharmacy (3). [Prerequisites: PHM6260]. Students prepare to practice evidence-based care by developing analytic skills needed to read, assess, and apply biomedical literature and by learning basic biomedical research methodology and statistical techniques applicable to biological and health sciences (e.g., non-parametric statistics, probability and inferential statistics, including analysis of variance and multiple regressions). Course activity and projects link to PHA 6360: Seminar 1.

PHM 6320 Pharmacy Law (2). Students survey laws governing pharmacy and health care (emphasis on Tennessee law), and related topics (i.e., malpractice, drug product liability, bulk compounding, reimportation, relationship of responsibility doctrine to pain management, controlled substances and addictions, central fill pharmacy DEA regulations, HIPAA and recent Medicare/Medicaid prescription drug benefits etc). Students learn to facilitate multidisciplinary health care teams in diverse settings to assure optimal treatment within legal guidelines.

PHM 6325 Ethics in Pharmacy Practice (2). [Prerequisites: PHM6230]. Students learn to understand and resolve, when possible, ethical issues in patient care related to managed health care, private sector, and public health systems, including patient confidentiality, drug accuracy and safety issues. Students learn to recognize ethical dilemmas and work to resolve problems using basic ethical principles.

PHM 6350 Business and Entrepreneurial Management (3). Provides students with fundamental skills required in general and entrepreneurial business management, focusing on financial, business planning, marketing communications and business development relevant to pharmacy-related entities within legal guidelines.

Clinical Sciences

PHM 6130 & PHM 6230 Pharmaceutical Care 1 & 2 (3,2). [Prerequisites: Courses must be taken in sequence. Pre-req for PHM 6230 is PHM 6165; Co-reqs for PHM 6230 are PHM 6215, PHM 6200, PHM 6225]. A linked introduction to medical and prescription terminology, the top 200 medications, basic issues in pharmacy law, ethics, and diversity/equity in health care to support students in early practice experiences, and an overview of pharmacy management, managed care, pharmacy informatics, and pharmacy missions/public health to help students choose a curricular concentration.

PHM 6165 Health Assessment (3). [Prerequisites: PHM6120]. Students learn patient medical history and physical assessment skills needed to provide pharmaceutical care, including basic patient screening skills: blood pressure, blood draw for diabetes screening, glucose monitoring, immunization administration, and basic laboratory tests interpretation.

PHM 6170, PHM 6235, PHM 6255, PHM 6330, PHM 6355 Pharmacy Practice Experience 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2). [Prerequisites: Courses must be taken in sequence. Prerequisites of PHM6170 is PHM6130; Pre-req of PHM 6235 is PHM6165; Pre-req of PHM 6255 is PHM6225; Pre-req of PHM 6200 is PHM 6145; Pre-req of PHM 6355 is PHM 6135; Co-req of PHM 6355 is PHM 6335]. A structured sequence of hands-on, guided experiences across the range of pharmacy practice settings, allows student to acquire knowledge and skills while developing professional attitudes and accepting escalating levels of responsibility. The experiences parallel didactic coursework, placing students with practitioner mentors to facilitate student development as skilled, self-confident professionals.

PHM 6200 Self Care Therapeutics (3). [Prerequisites: PHM 6160, PHM 6130; Co-requisite PHM 6225]. Students learn to help patients make therapeutic choices about health care issues that can be managed effectively by the patient using over-the-counter (OTC) products, dietary supplements, natural products and other alternative medicine therapies. The course emphasizes triage of patients, patient safety, therapeutic efficacy, and the validity and current evidence-based outcome measures.

PHM 6215, PHM 6245, PHM 6300, PHM 6340 Pathophysiology & Therapeutics 1, 2, 3 & 4 (4, 4, 4, 4). [Prerequisites: Courses must be taken in sequence; PHM6215 prerequisite is PHM6145; PHM6245 prerequisite is PHM6210; PHM6300 prerequisite is PHM6240; Pre-req of PHM 6340 is PHM 6345;]. The course sequence presents the prevalence, presentation, diagnosis, natural course and therapeutic options for treating major disease states, including general clinical pharmacokinetics principals, drug interactions, adverse reactions, and clinical laboratory tests interpretation. Student learn to 1) choose optimal therapeutic regimens based on individual patient characteristics, demonstrated benefits and drug therapy risks, 2) monitor therapy effectiveness, and 3) identify and solve drug-related problems.

PHM 6310, PHM 6345 Therapeutics Case Studies 1 & 2 (1, 1). [Prerequisites: PHM6345, is successful completion of Fall P3 Curriculum, Corequisite of PHM6345 is PHM6340]. This problem-based course sequence develops team skills that health care providers need by engaging patient case scenarios (including simulations labs and interdisciplinary teams) of increasing complexity. Teams collect needed information, assess the overall situation, develop and defend a pharmaceutical care plan.

PHM 6335 Pharmaceutical Care 3 (3). [Prerequisites: Completion of fall P3 curriculum; Co-reqs. is PHM 6340]. Students integrate all aspects of pharmaceutical care in a simulated practice environment to apply their therapeutics knowledge and pharmaceutical care skills to prescription assessment, patient profile review, clinical problem-solving, patient counseling/teaching, inter-professional communication, and clinical intervention documentation.

PHM 6360 Seminar (1). [Prerequisites: Completion of P2 curriculum]. Development and presentation of a formal presentation to a peer/professional audience on a pharmacy related topic and refinement of self- and peer-assessment abilities.

PHM 6365 Capstone (1). [Prerequisites: Completion of P3 curriculum; minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA]. Following advanced professional practice experiences, students reflect on their development as professionals, assess and share their achievement of educational outcomes, complete their professional portfolio, establish a continuing professional development plan, and prepare to enter the pharmacy profession.

PHM 6400 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- Ambulatory Care (4). [Prerequisites: completion of P3 curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.3]. Advanced clinical experience designed to grant in-depth experience in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to ambulatory patients in a community pharmacy or medical setting. Practice sites may include pharmacy run clinics, pharmacies adjunct to a clinic or home infusion services.

PHM 6410 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- Community Practice (4). [Prerequisites: completion of P3 curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.3]. A clinical experience designed to provide experience in providing clinical pharmacy services to patients in a community pharmacy.

PHM 6415 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- Health Systems Practice (4). [Prerequisites: completion of P3 curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.3]. An experience focused on development of knowledge and skills in institutional pharmacy practice and application of such systems in various practice environments.

PHM 6420 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- General Medicine I (4). [Prerequisites: completion of P3 curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.3]. A clinical experience designed to build students’ clinical skills in acute medicine services. The student develops pharmaceutical care techniques and competencies.

PHM 6425 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Inpatient Care Selective (4). [Prerequisites: completion of P3 curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.3]. A clinical experience designed to extend students’ clinical skills in acute medicine services. The student develops pharmaceutical care techniques and competencies.

PHM 6430 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Medication Management (4). [Prerequisites: completion of P3 curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.3]. An experience focused on patient-specific medication therapy management (short-term and longitudinal) in any applicable practice setting.

Elective Courses

PHM6895 Special Topics in Pharmacy (1-4)
PHM6990 Special Topics in Pharmacy (2)
PHM6991 Special Topics in Pharmacotherapy (2)
PHM6992 Special Topics in Management (2)
PHM6993 Special Topics in Missions/Public Health (2)
PHM6994 Special Topics in Information Management (2)
PHM6995 Special Topics in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (4)
PHM6996 Special Topics in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- Pharmacotherapy (4)
PHM6997 Special Topics in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- Management (4)
PHM6998 Special Topics in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- Missions/Public Health (4)
PHM6999 Special Topics in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience -- Information Management (4)


[Prerequisites for PHM 6995, 6996, 6997, 6998, 6999: completion of P3 curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.3]