The development of the College of Pharmacy, actually the fourth separate
department in the University, is closely interwoven with that of the
Department of Chemistry. Its history has already been in part suggested
in the references to the growth of the Chemical Laboratory and the
appointment of Dr. Prescott as the first Dean of the Department, or
later, College, of Pharmacy. At first the study of chemistry was
presented only in lectures and a few simple demonstrations. Dr. Douglas,
however, was among the pioneers in this country in realizing that the
way to teach the subject was to help the students perform their own
experiments, and accordingly he established a small laboratory for
special students in the Medical Building. From this grew the idea of a
laboratory building which was finally completed in October, 1857, at a
cost of $3,450, the first building erected in America for this purpose,
with facilities which were, in President Tappan's words, "unsurpassed by
anything of the kind in the country." Even then it proved almost at once
too small, and a long series of enlargements came at intervals of about
five years, until finally the new Chemistry Building was completed in
1910.
All the work in chemistry in the different Departments was, from the
first, provided for in this building, with no distinction between
academic and professional students except such as the special courses
require. The work in pharmacy grew naturally with the Department of
Chemistry. Following its establishment in 1868, the course eventually
grew into a separate Department, which became independent in 1876. The
school prospered under the wise and scholarly administration of its
first Dean, Dr. Albert B. Prescott, and it was soon recognized as one of
the best in the country. The early entrance requirements were only a
good knowledge of the English language, but soon a high school course
became requisite. The curriculum, which at first consisted of two years'
work, was eventually lengthened to three years in 1917-18, leading to
the degree of Ph.C; while for a regular four years' course a B.S. in
Pharmacy is granted.
Upon the death of Dr. Prescott in 1905, Dr. Julius O. Schlotterbeck,
'91, succeeded him as Dean of the College. Dr. Schlotterbeck died in
1917, and Professor Alviso B. Stevens, '75_p_, became Dean until his
retirement in 1919.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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