Teaching pharmacy practice courses in a first-professional year PharmD curriculum

Since 1996, PHPR 312 (Introduction to Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care) and PHRM 301 (Integrated Laboratory I) have been included in the curriculum at Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Unique features of these first-professional year, core curriculum courses are described. Additionally, how these courses evolved based on constructive feedback from the enrolled students (ie, what the students liked most about these courses) is discussed. Regarding PHPR 312, students appreciate an instructor who is caring and shows respect for the students. In terms of assignments, examinations, and the administration of the course, students appreciate an organized and detail-oriented course. Students appreciate the application of the PHPR 312 lecture material to the PHRM 301 laboratories and the organization of the laboratories. Based on the feedback from the students, it is the "little things'' that mean a lot to these first-professional year students.