Pre-engineering
2+2 Program, 3+2 Program
Full-Time Faculty: H. David Sheets, Director; Daniel F. Dempsey, James C. Lauffenburger, Kenneth D. Scherkoske.
For the Pre Enginerring track requirements and recommended schedule, consult the Pre Engineering section under the College of Arts and Sciences.
Pre-Law
The Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center
Faculty: Peter J. Galie, Director, [Department of] Political Science; Robert Klump, Associate Director, Judith A. Dompkowski, English; Patricia E. Erickson, Criminal Justice/Sociology; Walter G. Sharrow, History, James V. Jones, Director, Career Center
Students wishing to choose law as a career may major, as undergraduates, in any field or fields. They should bear in mind, however, that their aim must be the attainment of a broad liberal education. Specifically, they should attain considerable skill in language, knowledge of human institutions and values and an ability to reason critically. The committee therefore recommends that students wishing to choose law as a career include in their undergraduate programs of study the following:
- Courses which develop skills of accurate comprehension and precise expression in language.
- Courses in which knowledge of human institutions can be attained, with special reference to English and American constitutional law and history.
- Courses which develop abilities in logic and appreciation of ethical and political values.
- Courses in elementary accounting or economics or both. The Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center assists students who wish to enter the legal profession by offering counseling and advisement regarding law schools and the Law School Admissions Test and by providing scholar incentive awards.
Students interested in law are encouraged to contact a member of the pre-law committee at their earliest opportunity and are encouraged to join the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta.
The Program
Freshman Year:
Fall semester
Leg 100 Exploring Legal Careers -- 1 credit
A one credit course providing pre-law students with information on the following:
- What is the Raichle Pre-law Center?
- What is the legal profession all about?
- What opportunities does the practice of Law provide?
- Should I go to law school?
- Building a resume that will help get you into law school
- Choosing a curriculum that will be attractive to law school admissions committees
- Choosing internships wisely
- The LSAT(Law School Aptitude Test)
CMP 302 Basics of Writing for pre-Professionals ... 3 credits
This course serves pre-law students, among others, who need to sharpen their writing skills. Students will draft prose and develop effective strategies for revising editing and proofreading.
Junior Year
Fall Semester
PSC 300 Legal and Analytical Reasoning3 credits
Using a variety of legal documents as texts this course will help students develop and appreciation and understanding of legal reasoning and analysis. Emphasis
on reading comprehension
Spring Semester/Summer session
LSAT online preparation course available through the Center for Professional Development -- Non-credit
Senior Year
Fall Semester
Getting into Law School: A Strategy for Success -- Non-credit
A service provided by the Raichle Pre-Law Center consisting of sessions on the following topics:
- Selecting the right law school
- Applying to law school
- Preparing for the LSAT
- Writing the personal statement
- Updating resumes
- Obtaining letters of recommendation
Pre-Med (and Related Health Sciences)
Marguerite Kermis, Psychology, Director;
Joseph A. Tomasulo, Biology, Associate Director;
James Lauffenburger, Physics; Mary C. O’Sullivan, Chemistry; Richard H. Escobales, Mathematics; David J. Greenman, English; Thomas Corso, Biochemistry; Cary M. Anderson, Dean of Students.
Students interested in professional careers in medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, physician assistant and veterinary medicine most frequently major in biology, chemistry or biochemistry. Further information can be found in the catalog sections for each of those departments. Recently, a growing number of students have majored in psychology, physics, mathematics, English, and philosophy. A general plan for these non-science majors appears below. Specific course requirements vary somewhat from one professional school to another, but there are some common requirements:
Biology: At least one year of general biology with laboratory (BIO 101-102).
Chemistry: One year of general chemistry and one year of organic chemistry with laboratories (CHM 111-112, 227-228).
Physics: One year of introductory physics with laboratory (PHY 201-202 or 223-224).
English: One year of college English which stresses composition (ENG 101-102).
Calculus: Many of the more competitive medical schools require one year of college level calculus.
Behavioral Science: One year of either psychology or sociology.
The Dr. George E. Schreiner Pre-Medical Center has been established to enhance the quality of the undergraduate experience for students who wish to enter the various fields of medicine. Its greatest impact is in helping pre-medical students to crystallize their ideas concerning medicine as a profession and to provide them with some understanding of the unique aspects of the various medical specialties. This crystallization is accomplished with information about various medical schools, medical specialties, and medical practices.
The Center assists students in choosing the right medical school and helps them to prepare for entrance examinations to these institutions. Through an increasing number of scholarships, the Center provides financial assistance to qualified students pursuing medical and health-related professional degrees. The Pre-Medical Center also sponsors a distinguished lecture series where nationally and internationally known speakers address significant topics in the medical field.
Students interested in medicine should contact members of the Health Science Advisory and Recommendations Committee (listed above) at their earliest opportunity.
Early Assurance Program
The Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Early Assurance programs at Canisius are offered in conjunction with the State University of New York at Buffalo Medical School and Dental School and the State University of New York Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, New York. Since these are public institutions which are financially supported by the State of New York, they give preference to students who either are residents of the state or who attend college in the state.
During their sophomore year, students with the required overall GPA and SAT scores may apply for the early assurance admission. Upstate Medical School requires SATs of 1300 or more and a GPA of 3.6 in order to apply. Once accepted, students must maintain this GPA until graduation. SUNYAB Dental School requires a 3.3 GPA and 1250 SATs. Students must maintain this GPA and also must take the Perceptual subtest of the DAT and achieve a score equal to the average of the previous year’s entering class. SUNYAB Medical School requires 1400 SATs and a GPA of 3.8 in order for students to apply for Early Assurance. Once accepted, students must maintain a 3.7 overall GPA. For both medical schools, Early Assurance students are not required to take the MCAT. These are highly competitive programs that accept few students.
Joint Degree Programs
Canisius College has a seven-year joint-degree program with a growing list of professional schools including the State University of New York at Buffalo Dental School, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and the SUNY State College of Optometry. The first three years are spent at Canisius and the last four years at the professional school. A bachelor’s degree (B.A.) will be awarded from Canisius College after completion of the first year of dental, osteopathic, optometic or podiatri medical school. The D.D.S., D.O., D.P.M., or O.D. degree will be awarded at the end of seven years. To remain in good standing, students must fulfill all requirements established by the professional school.
For further information on any of the above programs, students should consult one of the advisors listed above.
During the past ten years, Canisius graduates have enjoyed an overall acceptance rate of 92%, with an acceptance rate of 94% specifically for medical school.
Pre-Med Professional Program for Non-Science Majors:
| Fall | Spring | ||||
| Freshman Year | |||||
| ENG 101 | 3 | ENG 102 | 3 | ||
| BIO 101 | 5 | BIO 102 | 5 | ||
| CHM 101 | 5 | CHM 112 | 5 | ||
| Calculus or Statistics | 4 | Calculus or Statistics | 4 | ||
| Total | 17 | Total | 17 | ||
| Sophomore Year | |||||
| PHI 101 | 3 | RST 101 | 3 | ||
| CHM 227 | 5 | CHM 228 | 5 | ||
| PHY 201 | 5 | PHY 202 | 5 | ||
| Course in major | 3 | Course in major | 3 | ||
| Course in major | 3 | Course in major | 3 | ||
| Total | 19 | Total | 19 | ||
| Junior Year | |||||
| BCH 301 or BIO 203 (recommended) |
5 | Course in major | 3 | ||
| Course in major | 3 | Course in major | 3 | ||
| AS (RST 448 recommended) |
3 | AS (PHI 441 recommended) |
3 | ||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | ||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | ||
| Total | 17 | Total | 15 | ||
| Senior Year | |||||
| Course in major | 3 | Course in major | 3 | ||
| Course in major | 3 | Course in major | 3 | ||
| Course in major | 3 | AS (PHI 469 recommended) | 3 | ||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | ||
| AS | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 | ||
| Total | 134 |
The program is flexible; it represents a model that could easily be modified to meet the requirements of most departments. Once students have decided upon a major, they must design their own curriculum with the guidance and approval of both the chair of that major and a Health Science advisor. The program must meet the requirements of the core curriculum, the particular major chosen (i.e., English, philosophy, psychology, etc.) and the requirements of the health-professional schools. In place of the core curriculum, the All-College Honors Program is highly recommended.
Note: This program satisfies both the 120-credit hour and 40-course requirements for graduation. Areas I and VII are excluded because of the required courses in science and mathematics. One additional area is excluded because of the student’s academic major.
Pre-pharmacy
Health Professions Advisor: Marguerite D. Kermis
Biochemistry Program Director: Thomas D. Corso
Some students take two years at Canisius College to complete the pre-pharmacy requirements and then enter a four-year pharmacy program at another school. The two-year pre-pharmacy students will be listed as Biochemistry majors, since the first two years of the biochemistry program track satisfy most pharmacy school admission standards. A student also has the option of completing a four-year degree in any major before starting pharmacy school, as long as the required courses are taken.
Students applying to transfer to most pharmacy schools must take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Information about this test is available from the Psychological Corporation, 555 Academic Court, San Antonio, Texas 78204-2498. Phone: 1-800-622-3231. Pre-pharmacy students, who decide to continue their education at Canisius after sophomore year, are on track for the biohemistry major.
For the Biochemistry Pre-Pharmacy track requirements and recommended schedule consult the Chemistry and Biochemistry section under the College of Arts and Sciences.