Health Professions Undergraduate Prerequisites

Most Health Professions Schools* require the following undergraduate pre-requisite courses: 

 * All schools of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dental Surgery also require Biochemistry (CHEM 417).  Physical Therapy Programs have varying requirements.

Majors

A science major is not essential, although, it is a natural interest for many pre-health students and many choose to major in biology or chemistry.  If you have a strong interest in one of the social sciences or in one of the humanities, choose that area as your major.  You should major in a field you enjoy studying.  Do not choose a major in an attempt to impress anyone.  Whatever major you choose, you must convince admissions officers at health professions school that you have the ability to cope with the pressures and demands of a science oriented health professions curriculum.

Planning Your Schedule of Courses*

If you wish to matriculate at a professional school directly after graduation from Salisbury University, you must be ready to submit your applications immediately following your junior year.  There are alternatives to the schedule of pre-requisite coursework below.  You should plan a long-range schedule before pursuing a different course sequence.

It is highly recommended that Chemistry, Math, and Physics  Courses be taken in the order shown below.

Freshman Year
	Fall
	CHEM 121: General Chemistry 1 MATH or Physics 121: Physics 1 (MATH preferred if test scores weak)(see your advisor) General Education specified in core, 2 course from the following: English, History, Phys Ed, Humanity or Social Science
	Spring
	CHEM 122: General Chemistry 2 MATH or Physics 121: (see your advisor) General Education specified in core, 2 course from the following: English, History, Phys Ed, Humanity or Social Science
Register with the Health Professions Advisory committee chair.      Work on improving study skills and time management.
Sophomore Year
	Fall
	CHEM 221: Organic Chemistry 1 PHYS 123: Physics 2 General Education specified in core, 2 course from the following: English, History, Phys Ed, Humanity or Social Science
	Spring
	CHEM 222: Organic Chemistry 2 BIOL 210: Fundamentals PSYC 300 (if PSY 101 complete) or MATH 155 Complete General Education OR Begin foundation courses for upper level study OR BIOL 215: Human A & P 1
Consider something scholarly, not simply meeting minimal requirements.      Begin “shadowing” experiences.
Junior Year
	Fall
	CHEM 417: Biochemistry OR CHEM > 300 (417 for some programs, > for minor) BIOL 213: Zoology PSYC 300 or MATH 155 Complete General Education OR Begin foundation courses for upper level study OR BIOL 215: Human A & P 1
	Spring
	BIOL 350: Cell Biology BIOL 215: Human A & P 1 OR BIOL 216: Human A & P 2 BIOL 370: Genetics (non-science majors) Complete General Education and/or continue upper level study courses.  Courses recommended for entrance exams (MCAT, GRE, etc.) should be completed by this semester.
Consider research.      Continue exploring the profession that you are interested in.      Apply for the Health Professions Advisory Committee interview for the spring              semester.
Senior Year
	Fall
	BIOL 216: Human A & P 2 Complete General Education and/or continue upper level study courses
	Spring
	Complete General Education and/or continue upper level study courses
Early in the fall semester, complete you applications for health professions                 schools.