Academics

Pre-Health Science Professions

Pre-Medicine

Departments: Biology and Physical Science
Advisors: Helen Boswell (Biology) - Science 112, (435) 865-8163
                 Paul Pillitteri (Biology) – Science 119, (435) 586-1909
                 Rachel Smetanka (Biology) – Science 117, (435) 586-7926                
                 J. Ty Redd (Physical Science) - Science 208, (435) 586-7904

Admission to medical school is based on the following criteria: (1) excellent grades in undergraduate coursework, especially in science, (2) high scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), (3) interviews with medical school faculty. Medical schools do not require specific undergraduate majors for admission; however, most applicants major in biology or chemistry. Generally, medical schools require the following courses, which may be integrated into many majors:

The MCAT is required for application to almost all medical schools.The test is offered in the fall and spring each year and scores are submitted with the application in early fall of the year prior to planning entrance to medical school. Most students should plan to take the MCAT in the spring of their junior year in college. Most medical schools require applications compiled through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). For AMCAS material, see advisor.

Students planning to attend medical school are strongly urged to contact their advisor immediately upon enrolling. Similar general considerations apply to students who plan to attend chiropractic, optometric or podiatric schools.

Pre-Dentistry

Departments: Biology and Physical Science
Advisors: Rachel Smetanka (Biology) – Science 117, (435) 586-7926
                 J. Ty Redd (Physical Science) - Science 208, (435) 586-7904

Typical entrance requirements to dental school include:

In addition to these courses many dental schools require one year of English composition and recommend coursework in social sciences, business, foreign language, and art, especially sculpture.
No majors are specified. A four-year baccalaureate degree is not required and students may apply for admission as soon as they have completed the required courses.

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required of all applicants to dental school. The test is offered in the fall and spring of each year and scores are submitted with applications in the fall of the year prior to planned entrance to dental school. Most dental schools require applications compiled through the American Association of Dental Schools Admissions Service (AADSAS). For AADSAS material inquire of the advisor.

The state of Utah does not have a dental school, but participates with Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in a cooperative dental school program with tuition support. Students must be admitted to Creighton University in the usual manner, then apply for support under the cooperative program. information about this program is available through the advisor.

All students interested in careers in dentistry are strongly urged to consult the advisor before selecting courses every semester.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Department: Agriculture and Nutritional Science
Advisor: Chad Gasser, GC 203A, 435-586-7923

Preparation for veterinary school application ordinarily includes:

Required minimum course work in the sciences, English, behavioral and social sciences, and humanities varies widely among schools of veterinary medicine. While applications can be made after
approximately two years of concentrated pre-veterinary course work, veterinary schools report about four years of undergraduate study is typical of entering veterinary students.

Veterinary schools do not require a specific undergraduate major; however, the departments of agriculture and nutrition science and biology cooperate closely in offering students the appropriate
combination of courses and experiences to meet admission requirements. An SUU Bachelor’s Degree in biology with complementary elective courses or a minor in agriculture/animal science can be earned in approximately four years and is excellent preparation for veterinary school or graduate studies in animal sciences or biology. A second option is the BIS degree in Agricultural Science and Industries with an appropriate concentration of biological and physical science courses incorporated into a general agriculture emphasis.

Above-average grades and satisfactory scores on the Veterinary Medicine Aptitude Test (VMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are required for admission to a school of veterinary medicine. Most applicants take the examination in the spring of their third year at SUU and apply to veterinary school in the fall of their senior year.

Utah does not have a school of veterinary medicine but participates
with other states in cooperative programs with tuition support. Since
requirements and application procedures vary among veterinary
schools, students should consult with the advisor before selecting
courses every semester.

Pre-Optometry

Departments: Biology and Physical Science
Advisors: Paul Pillitteri (Biology) – Science 119, (435) 586-1909
                 J. Ty Redd (Physical Science) - Science 208, (435) 586-7904

Minimum requirements for application to optometry school include:

Additional coursework in statistics is recommended. Applicants may be admitted after two years of undergraduate work but preference is given to students who have completed three or four years.

The Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT) is required of all applicants. The test is offered in the fall and spring of each year and scores are typically sent with applications in the fall of the year prior to planned admission to optometry school.

Pre-Pharmacy

Department: Physical Science
Advisor: J. Ty Redd - Science 208, (435) 586-7904
               Paul Pillitteri (Biology) – Science 119, (435) 586-1909

Pharmacy is an undergraduate major not available at SUU. Students intending a career in pharmacy should plan to complete two years of preparatory work at SUU and then transfer to a pharmacy program.

The pharmacy degree requires general education courses which can be completed at SUU. Preparatory coursework typically includes:

Additional coursework in Microbiology, Quantitative Analysis, and Biochemistry may be required.

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is required. Applications must be completed before mid-June of the year of admission to pharmacy school.

Pre-Allied Health Sciences

Department: Biology
Advisor: Paul Pillitteri (Biology) – Science 119, (435) 586-1909

A variety of professions are included in this category including physical therapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, radiological technology, cytotechnology, dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, medical technology. All of these professions require training not available at SUU. Most are post-graduate training programs of varying durations. Since entrance requirements and application procedures are so variable, students must consult the advisor each semester to outline courses of study appropriate for their personal goals.

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Last Update: Tuesday, March 10, 2009

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