Pre-Pharmacy
Available as a pre-professional advising track
A rigorous preparation in the sciences, along with access to clinical experiences and research opportunities, will give you an edge in gaining admission to top-quality graduate programs across the country.
Student Experiences
Summer Scholar investigates molecules that are foundation for new pharmaceutical drugs.
As a Summer Scholar her senior year, Rose M. Kohinke '14, a biochemistry major, worked with Dr. Skip Brenzovich on "Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of New Chemical Reactions."
An important area of organic synthetic research is the production of molecules that can be used as the starting materials for pharmaceutical drugs. The goal of her project was to investigate the reactivity of palladium metal, specifically exploring new chemical reactions that can help build these molecules in a faster, cleaner way in the hopes of decreasing the prices of important medicines.
Kohinke first joined Dr. Brenzovich's research team during her junior year. She went on to attend the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy as part of its Class of 2018.
"Roanoke's small lab sizes and passionate professors allowed me to use many instruments hands-on, which made learning that much more interesting. If I had attended a different school, I'm not sure I would have been as successful as a student or had as much fun as I did at Roanoke."
Derrick Botkins '06, chemistry graduate at Roanoke College, Pharm.D. graduate at Virginia Commonwealth University (2010)
Learn By Doing
Internships help you get into top graduate programs
We've established relationships with internship and placement sponsors in a wide range of medical specialties, from anesthesiology to pharmaceutical companies.
Roanoke students have completed internships at organizations such as:
- Merck Laboratories
- Brandon Animal Hospital
- Carilion Community Hospital, Anesthesiology Department
- LewisGale Clinic, Occupational Therapy
- LewisGale Pavilion, Outpatient Physical Therapy
- Physicians to Children
- Q-Biochem, LLC
- Thompson's Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center
Careers & Outcomes
Roanoke students earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher are 100% successful in getting into pharmacy school.
Our grads go on to top-level graduate programs
News
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The final interior beam of the center’s new building was put in place July 23.
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Market on Melrose is the result of nine years of research and development led by Professor Liz Ackley and Roanoke College’s Center for Community Health Innovation.
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The funding will help the college build partnerships with STEM-H innovators and strengthen the skilled workforce pipeline.
Contact
Health Careers Advising Board
A team of faculty advisors dedicated to supporting students pursuing healthcare professions
Events
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Join us for an insightful look at the science, trends, and health research into cannabis across the lifespan.
- Date:
- March 23, 2026
- Time:
- 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- Location:
Virtual
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Enhancing our children's genes: moral obligation or travesty? In this year's Crumley Lecture, sponsored by the Benne Center for Church & Society, Dr. James Peterson explores a life-changing ethical question that has presented itself.
- Date:
- March 26, 2026
- Time:
- 7 - 8 p.m.
- Location:
Wortmann Ballroom
