Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary Studies

With a broad liberal arts and sciences education, the pre-medical curriculum is a strong preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. The same curriculum is also an excellent preparation for other health-related fields such as nursing, physician’s assistant, physical therapy and public health. A student may choose any major at Emmanuel College, but the following courses are usually required for pre-medical studies:

BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/Lab (SI-L) (NSL) BIOL1106 Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology w/Lab (SI-L) (NSL) CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I w/Lab (SI-L) (NSL) CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II w/Lab (SI-L) (NSL) CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I w/Lab CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II w/Lab PHYS2201 General Physics I (Calculus based) w/Lab(SI-L) (prerequisite is Calculus I pre-or corequisite is Calculus II) PHYS2202 General Physics II (Calculus based) w/Lab (SI-L) (NSL) (prerequisite is Physics I)

In addition, one year (two semesters) of English and math and courses in biochemistry, psychology and sociology are recommended.

At Emmanuel College, the Health Sciences and Biochemistry concentrations in the Biology major or the Biochemistry Concentration in the Chemistry Major are excellent preparation for medical, dental or veterinary school. In general, medical schools want well-rounded students with a broad liberal arts and sciences education. Some schools require applicants to complete certain premedical requirements, while others use competency-based admissions. Early in their college career, students are advised to consult the individual requirements of the medical, dental, or veterinary college they wish to attend.

Regardless of major, students interested in applying for medical school, dental school, or veterinary school are reminded that they should pursue a course of study that will prepare them for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Dental Aptitude Test (DAT). All colleges of veterinary medicine require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), MCAT, or other standardized test. Students are also advised to take a commercial MCAT/DAT/GRE Test preparation course that begins about two to three months before they are scheduled to take the MCAT, DAT, or GRE tests.

Many medical schools recommend experience in a health care setting to gain practical experience and insight into the professional lives of healthcare providers. Suggestions include working in a clinical research setting, emergency room at a hospital, social service setting, physician’s office or as an emergency medical technician (EMT). Students interested in a career in the dental field are required to have a certain number of hours shadowing a dentist or working in a dental office or clinic. An application to veterinary school is also greatly strengthened by a student’s experience with animals before they apply.

Specific advising for students interested in a career in the health professions is provided by the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC). The HPAC helps students determine a specific program geared to their particular discipline and advises them in the application process. It is recommended that students identify themselves to the HPAC as soon as possible. The committee is chaired by Dr. Padraig Deighan in the Biology Department.