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Pre-Professional Preparation in Medicine and the Allied Health Fields
Dr. Lisa Bjerknes, Director, (650) 508-3491, lbjerknes@ndnu.edu
Medicine
Students planning post-graduate application to medical, dental, pharmacy, or veterinary schools should consult, at an early date, the individual schools to which they plan to apply for specific undergraduate course requirements. Any baccalaureate program can be acceptable, however certain courses are either required or recommended and cover topics included on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Generally these include:
| Courses | Units | |
| BIO1101/1101L | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIO1103/1103L | General Biology II | 4 |
| CHE1202/1202L | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE1204/1204L | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHE2203/2203L | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE2205/2205L | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| ENG2108 | Advanced Writing | 3 |
| MTH---- | Statistics and Calculus (consult advisor) | 8 |
| PHY1003/1003L | College Physics I | 4 |
| PHY1205/1205L | College Physics II | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| BIO2200/2200L | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| BIO2210/2210L | Human Physiology | 5 |
| BIO2215/2215L | Genetics | 4 |
| BIO2275/2275L | General Microbiology | 4 |
| CHE2370/2270L | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| CHE2375/2275L | Biochemistry II | 4 |
Admissions committees of the medical schools look for persons of high ability in science demonstrated in coursework and independent investigations. In addition, students should show strong analytical skills and motivation, as well as a practical exposure to the field of medicine.
Allied Health Professions
Preparation for the allied health professions depends heavily upon the particular area of healthcare involved; a wide range of baccalaureate programs may meet requirements. In general, however, the minimum preparation for these professions consists of the following courses:
| Courses | Units | |
| BIO1101/1101L | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIO1103/1103L | General Biology II | 4 |
| BIO---- | upper division Biology | 8 |
| CHE1202/1202L | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE1204/1204L | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHE2203/2203L | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE2205/2205L | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| MTH---- | Mathematics (consult advisor) | 8 |
| PHY1003/1003L | College Physics I | 4 |
| PHY1205/1205L | College Physics II | 4 |
Certain of the allied health professions may require preparation closely resembling the requirements for pre-medical programs. Students are advised to consult at an early date the catalogs of the schools to which they intend to apply to be certain of requirements.
Postbaccalaureate Premedical Graduate Certificate
Dr. Lisa Bjerknes, Director, (650) 508-3491, lbjerknes@ndnu.edu
The Department of Natural Sciences offers a program leading to the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate. The purpose of the program is to prepare students whose undergraduate background lacks the necessary science and mathematics requirements fo entrance into medical, veterinary, or dental school or into programs such as pharmacy or physical therapy. The Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program takes approximately two years and the coursework receives academic credit. The curriculum is taught by experienced faculty in natural sciences and mathematics.
An individualized program is planned to meet the needs of each student. Upon completion of 16 units with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the curriculum listed below, a Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate is awarded. Most of the program consists of day classes and students may work part-time while completing the program. Individual assistance with the application process for specific professional schools is provided.
Curriculum
Courses in the following subject areas are adjusted to individual needs. (All prerequisites for these courses must be met).
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Calculus or Statistics
- Precalculus Mathematics
- General Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Vertebrate Zoology
- Genetics
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Additional Natural Sciences or Mathematics Courses
Admission Requirements
- A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Interview with the Program Director
- TOEFL score of 550 for international students
- A cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better, preferably 3.0
Application deadlines are August 1 for the Fall Semester and December 1 for the Spring Semester.