Pre-Health Sciences: Pre-M.D./D.O./D.D.S./D.Pharm. Emphasis, B.S.

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 General Emphasis of the BA is intended for students considering pre-medical, pre-dental, or related professional pathways. The Allied Health Emphasis is intended primarily to serve students considering applying to the traditional undergraduate BSN program. 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

Lower Division Major Prerequisites

• BIOL 111 - General Biology: Cells and Physiology Credits 3
• BIOL 111L - General Biology: Cells and Physiology Lab Credits 1
• CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I Credits 3
• CHEM 103L - General Chemistry I Lab Credits 1
• MATH 210 - Calculus I Credits 4
• PSY 120 - General Psychology Credits 3
• SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociology Credits 3

Required Courses (18-21 Units)

• BIOL 421 - Biochemistry Credits 3
• BIOL 421L - Biochemistry Lab Credits 1
• BIOL 441 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits 3
• BIOL 441L - Cell and Molecular Biology Lab Credits 1
• CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry II Credits 3
• CHEM 312L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits 1
• MATH 220 - Calculus II Credits 4

Electives

• BIOL 331 - Human Anatomy Credits 3
• BIOL 331L - Human Anatomy Lab Credits 1
• BIOL 415 - Religion, Health, and Healing Credits 3
• CHEM 313L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credits 1
• CHEM 350 - Analytical Chemistry Credits 3
• CHEM 350L - Analytical Chemistry Lab Credits 2
• CHEM 460 - Physical Chemistry Credits 3
• CHEM 460L - Physical Chemistry Lab Credits 1
• KIN 401 - Biomechanics Credits 3
• KIN 406 - Physiology of Exercise I Credits 3
• MATH 206L - Introductory Statistics Lab Credits 1