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Health Professions Advising at Mason |
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Biology classesScience MajorsMost biology and chemistry majors take BIOL 213 (Cell Structure and Function) and/or BIOL 303 (Animal Biology), usually within the first two years at Mason. Other science majors take BIOL 213 and/or BIOL 303 in the second or third years of their course of study. Non-Science MajorsStudents in the Mason Topics program or other non-College of Science majors will likely take BIOL 103 and 104. After completing BIOL 103, students should plan to take BIOL 213 and BIOL 303 (without taking BIOL 104) to show ability to assimilate more complex biology concepts that is preparatory to a health professions graduate education. These classes are required in order to take the upper-level science coursework that will make an application more desirable. Alternatively, non-science majors could consider completing their baccalaureate coursework and undertake a postbaccalaureate program that specifically caters to non-science majors (such as the ones at Virginia and Johns Hopkins). AP Biology CreditStudents with AP credit for Biology (which exempts students from BIOL 103 and 104) should take BIOL 213 and 303 along with upper-level biology courses. Taking Upper-level Biology CoursesSuccessful candidates to health professional programs complete many upper-level science classes with A's or B's. In general taking many to most of these classes will prepare you for the vocabulary and concepts that will be presented to your graduate school. Some of these classes include (but are not limited to):
Students should think early of the implications of their interest in specific programs in the health professions to their academic coursework plans. Many health professions programs strongly recommend taking upper-level biology coursework whenever possible; some medical schools have dictated requirements. Some veterinary schools suggest taking biochemistry and microbiology. Some optometry and medical schools want students to take psychology courses. Biochemistry: To take or not to take?But there are other ulterior motives in asking, "Should I take biochemistry?" The obvious answer is "If it is recommended, sure." Aside from the "required" biochemistry class, many times students will wonder whether taking biochemistry is an advantage for a health professions program. Even if it is required, taking biochemistry or genetics in college does not necessarily give a student a significant long-term advantage when taking "biochemistry" or "genetics" as a health professions student. Most of what you learn in an undergraduate class gets covered within the first two months of medical school (depending on the curricular philosophy). However, the advantage is that you are not so easily overwhelmed with completely new material as you start your health professional program. That's why most medical schools recommend but not require taking biochemistry. Of course, if you are pursuing another health professional degree, you may be required to take biochemistry. While many dental schools like Howard and do not require it, predental students who intend to apply to Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Maryland Baltimore must take one semester of biochemistry. Most pre-veterinary schools also require biochemistry as a required class. Pre-pharmacy students may want to take biochemistry because some of the schools you may want to attend (like VCU) require it. High-achieving students who intend to apply to a highly competitive program, including MD/PhD programs, should consider taking additional upper-level biology or biologically-relevant science coursework. Only a handful of programs require undergraduate biochemistry, but it would be wise for the student to consult with the Health Professions Advisor in advance. Human Anatomy & PhysiologyMany prehealth programs are requiring students to take anatomy and physiology as an admissions requirement. Specifically, VCU Schools of Dentistry and Pharmacy require Human Anatomy and Physiology coursework. At GMU, these classes are fulfilled by taking BIOL 124 and 125, but these classes will not count towards a biology degree. Thus prehealth science-major students should plan to take BIOL 124 and BIOL 425. |
Required Coursework Mathematics and Psychology classes Note to Pre-dental students Note to Pre-pharmacy students External links Harvard University Office of Career Services List of Medical Schools requiring Biochemistry and/or 1+ year of Biology. |
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