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COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
In the period from the fall of 1953 to June of 1971, the basic pharmaceutical sciences have come of age, to be recognized as sophisticated scientific disciplines. The role of the professional pharmacist has also come under study. No longer are the majority of pharmacists primarily involved with the preparation and compounding of drugs. A high percentage of their professional responsibilities now involve the distribution and control of medicinal agents. The College, under the direction of Dean Tom D. Rowe, has shown leadership in both the area of basic pharmaceutical sciences and the professional training of the pharmacist.
Curriculum and Professional Programs. — In the 1950s and early 1960s, Dr. Richard A. Deno was chairman of the Curriculum Committee. Much of the subsequent development of the new five-year and optional six-year curriculum reflect his insight and leadership in the problems of pharmaceutical education. Subsequent chairmen of the committee have been Dr. George Zografi and Dr. Ara G. Paul. Their leadership has been directed to the design of a curriculum which will permit the pharmacist to become more patient oriented.
For many years this committee has invited student input on both an informal basis and through joint sponsorship with the student branch of the American Pharmaceutical Association of student-faculty meetings on curriculum. Starting with the academic year 1968-69, the curriculum committee was restructured to have two students elected by the student body to sit with four faculty members appointed by the Dean of the College.
Curriculum modification during the 1950s was mainly in the professional pharmacy areas. An introductory course in pharmacy was established, and the intermediate pharmacy courses placed a greater emphasis on physical-chemical principles rather than on preparative operations. The advanced courses in pharmacy were also modified to allow for greater professional practice in specialized areas. Hospital pharmacy practice under faculty supervision was made available to undergraduate students as was a new course in manufacturing pharmacy. In the 1950s, biochemistry became a required course. Michigan was among those colleges of pharmacy which showed leadership in changing its course