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.
Pre-Med Professional Program for Non-Science Majors:
| Fall | Spring | ||||
| Freshman Year | |||||
| ENG 101 | 3 credits | ENG 102 | 3 credits | ||
| BIO 101 | 5 credits | BIO 102 | 5 credits | ||
| CHM 101 | 5 credits | CHM 112 | 5 credits | ||
| Calculus or Statistics | 4 credits | Calculus or Statistics | 4 credits | ||
| Total | 17 credits | Total | 17 credits | ||
| Sophomore Year | |||||
| PHI 101 | 3 credits | RST 101 | 3 credits | ||
| CHM 227 | 5 credits | CHM 228 | 5 credits | ||
| PHY 201 | 5 credits | PHY 202 | 5 credits | ||
| Course in major | 3 credits | Course in major | 3 credits | ||
| Course in major | 3 credits | Course in major | 3 credits | ||
| Total | 19 credits | Total | 19 credits | ||
| Junior Year | |||||
| BCH 301 or BIO 203 (recommended) |
5 credits | Course in major | 3 credits | ||
| Course in major | 3 credits | Course in major | 3 credits | ||
| AS (RST 448 recommended) |
3 credits | AS (PHI 441 recommended) |
3 credits | ||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | ||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | ||
| Total | 17 credits | Total | 15 credits | ||
| Senior Year | |||||
| Course in major | 3 credits | Course in major | 3 credits | ||
| Course in major | 3 credits | Course in major | 3 credits | ||
| Course in major | 3 credits | AS (PHI 469 recommended) | 3 credits | ||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | ||
| AS | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | ||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | ||
| Total | 134 credits |
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.