Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: PHRA-1301 (Section: 1, CRN: 92782)
Introduction to Pharmacy 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Toy Thornton-Wyckoff
Email thorntontn@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6437
Office Educational I - Room: 111
Office Hours Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday (By Appointment Only) Thursdays & Fridays 8:30-1:30 pm
Additional Contact Information Allied Health Administrative Assistant, Donna Wolfe (409) 984-6356 or 1-800-477-5872
Course Information
Description An overview of the qualifications, operational guidelines, and job duties of a pharmacy technician.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Pharmacy Practice for Technicians
ISBN: 9780763893019
Authors: Skye A. McKennon & Robert J. Anderson

The Pharmacy Technician a Comprehensive Approach 4th Edition
ISBN: 9780357371350
Author: Jahangir Moini
Additional Materials/Resources N/A
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
  • Outline the history of the pharmacy profession
  • Describe the role of the pharmacy technician in a variety of settings
  • List the qualifications required for obtaining certification and registration
  • Identify standards of law and ethics governing pharmacy practice
  • Define key medical terms and abbreviations related to pharmacy practice
  • Explain the importance of utilizing pharmacy resource materials
  • Summarize safety standards
Program Student Learning Outcomes
• Identify pharmaceutical drugs, abbreviations, classifications, dosages, side effects, and routes of administration
• Understand the qualifications, operational guidelines, and job duties of a pharmacy technician
• Apply the skills necessary to process, prepare, label, and maintain records of prescriptions in a community pharmacy
• Demonstrate specialized pharmaceutical theory, skills, and concepts
Lecture Topics Outline I. Principles of Pharmacy Practices
II. Introduction to Pharmacy Skills
III. Community Pharmacy Practice
IV. Institutional Pharmacy Practice
V. Professionalism in the Pharmacy 
Major Assignments Schedule
Week 1 Introduction to Pharmacy
The Profession of Pharmacy

  • 1.1- The Origins of the Profession
  • 1.2- The 20th Century Evolution of Pharmacy Education and Practice
  • 1.3- MTM in the 21st Century
  • 1.4- Contemporary Pharmacy Settings
  • 1.5- The Roles and Responsibilities of a Pharmacist
  • 1.6- The Roles and Responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician
  • 1.7- Professional Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians
Week 2 Holiday (Labor Day)
Week 3 Quiz #1
Overview (Discussion Session)
Week 4 Drug and Supplement Development

  • 3.1- What Is a Drug
  • 3.2- Classifications for Drugs
  • 3.3- Major Scientific Discoveries in Medicine and Drug Therapies
  • 3.4- Drug Ingredients and Sources
  • 3.5-The Prescription Drug Approval Process
  • 3.6-Nonprescription Drug Approval Process
  • 3.7-National Drug Code Number
  • 3.8-FDA Medication Safety Surveillance
Week 5 Exam #1 (Week 1-4) Course Material
Week 6 Introducing Pharmacology

  • 4.1- What is the Scope of Pharmacology
  • 4.2- Essential Knowledge of Technicians
  • 4.3- Prescription Drug Substitutions
  • 4.4- Anatomical Classification of Drugs 
Top 200 Drugs & Classifications
Week 7 Routes of Drug Administration and Dosage Formulations

  • 5.1- Routes of Administration
  • 5.2- Active Versus Inactive Drug Ingredients
  • 5.3- Oral Routes of Administration
Week 8
  • 5.5- Topical Routes of Administration
  • 5.6 Inhalation Route of Administration
  • 5.7- Parenteral Routes of Administration
  • 5.8- Drug Delivery Systems
  • 5.9- Leading the Way
Quiz #2 (Top 200 Drugs & Classifications) Discussion Session
Week 9 Exam #2 (Week 6-8) Course Material 
Week 10 Medication Safety

  • 14.1- Medication “Rights” and Preventable Errors
  • 14.2- Root-Cause Analysis of Medication Errors
  • 14.3- Step-by-Step Overview of filling and Administration Education
  • 14.4- Manufacturers’ Innovations to Promote Safety
Week 11
  • 14.5- Medication Error Reporting Systems
  • 14.6- FDA Adverse Reaction Reporting Systems
  • 14.7- Safety and Controlled Substances
  • 14.8- Pharmaceutical Temptations for Abuse and Theft
  • 14.9- Not Only Do No Harm, But Do Much Good
Week 12 Exam #3 (Week 10-11) Course Material)
Week 13 Professional Performance, Communication and Ethics

  • 15.1 Professional Attributes and Practices
  • 15.2 Providing Professional Customer Service
  • 15.3 Telephone Courtesies
  • 15.4 Problem-Solving Abilities
  • 15.5- Adhering to HIPPA
  • 15.6 Personal Professional Ethics
  • 15.7- Corporate Ethics/Medical Identity Theft and Fraud
  • 15.8- Safe, Green Pharmacy
  • 15.9- Emergency Preparedness
  • 15.10- The Power of Professionalism
Week 14 Quiz #3 (Week 13 Course Material) Discussion Session
Week 15 Final Exam Review
Week 16 Final Exam (Weeks 1-14 Course Material)

Final Exam Date December 8, 2025 - 8:30 AM   Through  December 8, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Grading Scale Grade Scale:

90-100                     A
80-89                       B
75-79                       C
60-74                       D
59 & below              F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria:

1. Quizzes 15%
2. Course Assignments 20%
3. Exams 30%
4. Final Exam 25%
5. Class Attendance 10%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
(Instructor Policies)
  • NO CELLPHONESare to be in sight during class lectures or labs and must on silent as students will be allowed to use their cell phones during break time. If there is an emergency or situation, please notify your instructor BEFOREclass and you may be allowed to step out of class if need be otherwise Donna Wolfe, AH secretary is available at (409) 984-6366 for emergency contact and will notify the instructor and student.
  • All class and or homework assignments, quizzes, exams, and attendance will be used in calculating your course grade.
  • No late work will be accepted; a student has 24 hoursto turn in missed assignments due to an excused absence with proper documentation for absence.
  • If an exam is missed, the student must have proper documentation for absence and the student’s FINAL EXAM grade will count as the missed exam grade as well as final exam grade with the appropriate percentages.
  • If a quiz is missed, you will be allowed to make up the quiz with the proper documentation for absence at a scheduled time per instructor or program director, and a different quiz may be given with the zero being replaced with the quiz grade upon completion.
  • In class activities and participation will include assessments of videos, games, group presentations, EVERYONE is expected to stay engaged as this apart of your class grade.
  • Complete any and all required readings, assignments, discussions as directed by the instructor.
  • Keep copies of ALLpaperwork, including syllabus, handouts, and assignments.
  • Participate actively by reviewing course material, interacting with classmates, and responding promptly in communication with your instructor via school email or by appointment.
  • No gradeswill be discussed over the phone, as you can make an appointment with your instructor or program coordinator.
  • If you have a complaint about this course which you cannot resolve through discussion with the instructor, please contact Heather Breaux, Chair Allied Health Department phone: 409-984-6365
  • The following materials are officially PROHIBTED in the classroom meetings for this course: food, drink, or tobacco. This policy agrees with the official college policy; breaks will be given.
  • The instructor expects that students to illustrate mature behavior with respect to being responsible for your own actions and being respectful of others. Failure to comply may result in removal from the classroom or the program.
  • Students should ALWAYS use their LSCPA email account to send messages to instructors and leave an office voicemail.
Attendance Policy
Attendance Policy:

  • All students are expected to attend class DAILY. A no call, no showwill result in a zerofor class work/homework assignment, class participation, etc. for the day of absence and cannotbe made up.
  • A student who is absent from class more than 3 days (3 times) within the semester may be at risk of being dropped from the program by the Program Coordinator.
1st Warning- verbal with record of conference
2nd Warning- written with record of conference
3rd Warning- written and meeting with Program Coordinator and Allied Health Director

  • Late arrivalto class is disruptive, the classroom door is closed at the time class starts, any student arriving at that time will be considered LATE andwill not be allowed to enter the classroom, the student then should wait until break time to enter. Material that has been taught willNOT be retaught as students should follow up with their group or partner for class work.
  • Students who arrive after a quiz or exam starts, but before it ends, may take the quiz or exam but will have a deduction of 5 points and no additional time will be given.
  • It is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor of any absence. If unable to reach the instructor in the office, please leave a voicemail AND emailusing the student's campus email. Absences must be followed up with proper documentation for student records.
 
*At any time while a student in the Pharmacy Technology Program, two final counseling notes are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Additional Information *TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7 for Lamar State College Port Arthur students. Any enrolled student can use TimelyCare. There is no cost to students. Go to timelycare.com/LSCPA or download the TimelyCare app to access care.
 
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Allied Health
Chair:Shirley MacNeill
Email:macneisb@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6365