Pre-Professional Health Sciences, Pre-Med Emphasis, B.S.

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The Pre-Professional Health Sciences major is an interdisciplinary major that features experiences and coursework to prepare students for entry into follow-on professional programs culminating in a variety of health-related careers. Articulation agreements are in place to support acceptance of students with strong academic performance into professional programs. This major can also be adapted for the specific needs of students interested in interdisciplinary graduate programs in the life sciences. The major curriculum includes general coursework in the basic sciences, psychology, ethics, professional preparation, and statistics in conjunction with one of five emphasis areas tailored to requirements for application to specific health-related follow-on programs. Each emphasis area reserves room for professional electives to allow maximum flexibility to meet specific school pre-requisites based on anticipated applications. Professional electives must be approved by the student’s Academic Advisor and Program Coordinator no later than the spring of the student’s junior year.

Articulation Agreements with the following colleges and universities exist and should be discussed with the student’s Academic Advisor or Program Coordinator:

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin College, Master of Science in Physician Assistant
University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy
Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy at Shenandoah University, Doctor of Pharmacy
Sherman College of Chiropractic, Doctor of Chiropractic
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Kentucky College of Optometry at University of Pikeville, Doctor of Optometry
Shenandoah University, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin College, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Shenandoah University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin College, Doctor of Occupational Therapy
East Tennessee State University, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Second Degree)
Shenandoah University, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (second degree)
Radford University Carilion, Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (second degree)

Degree Specific Requirements (19 Credit Hours)

BIO 111 - Introductory Biology II 4 Credit(s).
BIO 230 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology 3 Credit(s).
MTH 203 - Concepts in Calculus 3 Credit(s).
MTH 208 - Introductory Statistics 3 Credit(s).
PHI 211 - Ethics 3 Credit(s).
PSY 201 - General Psychology 3 Credit(s).

Pre-Professional Health Sciences Common Required Courses (15 Credit hours)

CHM 103 - General Chemistry I 4 Credit(s).
Choose one of the following two courses:
CHM 104 - General Chemistry II 4 Credit(s).
CHM 105 - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry 4 Credit(s).
PPH 299 - Professional Preparation 1 Credit(s).
SCI 398 - Junior Seminar 3 Credit(s).
SCI 498 - Senior Seminar 3 Credit(s).

Pre-Med Emphasis

The Pre-Med Emphasis is designed to serve as a pre-professional course of study for students interested in applying to programs awarding the following degrees: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) or Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), among others (see Articulation Agreement list). Careful planning of professional electives is important to ensure preparation for application to specific programs and schools.

Required Courses (28 Credit Hours)

BIO 254 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit(s).
BIO 255 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit(s).
BIO 303 - Microbiology 4 Credit(s).
BIO 305 - Introductory Genetics 4 Credit(s).
CHM 201 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s).
CHM 202 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s).
CHM 315 - Biochemistry I 4 Credit(s).

Professional Electives (14 Credit Hours at Least 7 at the 300-400 Level)

Electives include, but are not limited to, ASI, BIO, CHM, HHP, PSY, and SOC courses not already required by the major and must be approved by the advisor.