Pre-Health Sciences, B.A.

Overview

The pre-health sciences major is designed to provide students with a broad, interdisciplinary foundation in the sciences, with a focus on preparing students for entry into medical and dental careers as well as into allied health career paths.

Students interested in the pre-health sciences major should contact the program director as early as possible since specific courses are necessary for adequate preparation for entrance exams such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is also true for students interested in medical or dental school opportunities who choose to major in a different discipline.

Students may choose from two-degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. degree is appropriate for students who desire greater flexibility in their undergraduate coursework. This flexibility may be used to incorporate a minor, a second major, a study abroad program or additional elective coursework. The B.S. degree is appropriate for those who seek greater depth of foundational coursework in supporting fields, additional breadth within the major and a research capstone.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Program graduates comprehend and apply major organizing concepts in science.
2. Students in the program participate in the process of science. This includes the design and execution of experiments, the critical evaluation of methods, results and conclusions, and the oral and written communication of such activities.
3. Graduates from the program possess the skills and subject matter competence necessary to gain admittance to, and perform well in, graduate-level health sciences programs.
4. Students in the program develop an understanding of the economic and social contexts surrounding the practice of medicine in the United States and are able to apply socioeconomic and ethical perspectives in analysis of current issues in health care.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

General Education Prerequisites

• BIOL 111 - General Biology: Cells and Physiology Credits 4
• CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I Credits 4
• MATH 140 - Pre-Calculus Credits 4

Required Courses (Minimum of 48 Units Total, 28 Units Upper-Division)

• BIOL 220 - Healthcare in the United States Credits 2
• BIOL 332 - Human Physiology Credits 4
• BIOL 370 - Bioethics Credits 3
• BIOL 450 - Genetics Credits 4
• BIOL 485PRH - Senior Seminar Credits 2
• CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II Credits 4