Undergrad. Catalog 07 Pre-Medical Program

Revised May 2007

Pre-Medical Program

117A Schmucker Science Center South
610-436-2978
Stephen J. Zimniski, Director

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Melissa Betz Cichowicz, Chemistry
Frank Fish, Biology
Blaise Frost, Chemistry
Felix Goodson, Chemistry
Judith Greenamyer, Biology
Susan Johnston, Anthropology and Sociology
Anthony Nicastro, Physics
Leslie Slusher, Biology
Luzita Vela, Sports Medicine
Joan Woolfrey, Philosophy
Stephen J. Ziminski, Pre-Medical Program

The pre-medical program prepares undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students for application to the health professional schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, as well as schools of optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, physician assistant studies, and physical therapy, and for careers in biomedical research. The program consists of an individualized selection of course work, personal counseling and academic support. An optional junior-year biomedical research at a medical school or research institute, is available for some students in the program.

For highly select undergraduates and postbaccalaureates, medical school early assurance programs are available in affiliation with Drexel University School of Medicine (undergraduate and postbaccalaureate), Penn State University College of Medicine (undergraduate), Temple University School of Medicine (postbaccalaureate), Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (undergraduate), Temple University School of Dentistry (undergraduate), and Arcadia University's M.S. in physician's assistant studies (undergraduate).

The B.S. in chemistry-biology (pre-medical) major was specifically designed to meet the academic need of the preprofessional student. However, if a student has a particular interest in a healthcare field, other majors to consider include the B.S. in biochemistry, B.S. in biology – cell and molecular, B.S. in forensic and toxicological chemistry, B.S. in pharmaceutical product development, B.A. in psychology, or B.S. in sports medicine. Students in the pre-medical program may have two advisers - one from their major field and one from the Pre-Medical Committee. The adviser from the major field serves as their academic adviser, while the one from the committee offers advice about professional schools and their requirements.

Because of the intense competition for health professional school admission, only academically talented and highly motivated students should apply to the pre-medical program. Applicants are selected on the basis of their potential for achievement in the program. Students in the program are expected to maintain a minimum 3.20 grade point average and the high standards of performance necessary for health professional school admission.

It is essential for incoming students contemplating a medical career to register with the Pre-Medical Office immediately upon matriculation at the University. Similarly, it is essential for students who, at some later time, develop an interest in a medical career to register with the Pre-Medical Office. Students who fail to consult with the Pre-Medical Office prior to taking the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or who fail to report the results of any MCAT exam to the Pre-Medical Office are not eligible to receive a Pre-Medical Committee letter of evaluation when they apply to medical school.

All West Chester students who wish to apply to a health professional school should ask their professors to forward letters of evaluation to the Pre-Medical Committee and should process their applications through the committee. The committee will send a composite letter of evaluation to the professional school for students who meet the academic requirements and have an acceptable interview with the committee. Further information is available in the Pre-Medical Office, 117A Schmucker Science Center South.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - CHEMISTRY-BIOLOGY (PRE-MEDICAL)

120 semester hours

1. General ed. requirements, see pages 37-41 (48 semester hours)
Includes six semester hours of English composition

2. Biology (24 semester hours)
BIO 110, 217, 220, 230, 357, 448, and 468 or 469

3. Chemistry (26 semester hours)
CHE 103, 104, 231, 232, 341, and 476
CRL 103, 104, 231, and 476

4A. Internship track (15 semester hours)
CHE 452 (up to 12 semester hours)
One three-credit biology or chemistry concentration elective

4B. Noninternship track (16 semester hours)
CRL 321, CHE 418, 477
BIO 490 or CHE 491
Three three-credit concentration electives

5. Supporting courses (15 semester hours)
MAT 121 and 161
PHY 130 and 140, or 170 and 180

6. Free electives (7-10 semester hours)