Health care professional schools at the graduate level typically require a greater depth of understanding in the natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics) than is required as a minimum for the Bachelor of Science in Biology. The Pre-Health Biology specialization is designed to provide students having interest in pursuing careers in dentistry, medicine, optometry, and/or pharmacy with a template to ensure appropriate preparation for successful application to those graduate programs.
The Pre-Health Biology specialization builds on the framework of a major in Biology to require a full year each of organic chemistry and physics, a semester of biochemistry, and individual courses in microbiology, economics, psychology, sociology, and/or statistics, as required by the graduate program of choice. Students choosing this specialization will be encouraged, but not absolutely required, to participate in undergraduate research to gain a stronger understanding of how the frontiers of knowledge in the various health related areas are broadened and deepened. The additional courses and experience included in the specialization will help the students to focus on progression to graduate study in health fields.
Learning Outcomes
In addition to the learning outcomes for the major in Biology, upon completion of the Pre-Health Biology Specialization, undergraduates will:
- Demonstrate the level of knowledge in organic chemistry and physics that is expected of candidates for graduate study in health professions programs.
- Illustrate the knowledge of requirements of undergraduate applicants to specific health care graduate schools.
- Demonstrate the understanding of how preparation in the natural and social sciences relates to becoming a well prepared, well respected health care professional.
- Demonstrate the ability to present biomedically relevant information in both oral and written form to both health related and other audiences.
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