Predentistry/Premedicine/Preveterinarian Programs
While any major is compatible with medicine, an emphasis on science courses is mandatory for completion of the academic prerequisites of medical and dental schools. The Department of Biology and Chemistry offers excellent curricula for such programs. The student receives not only strong academic advising on preparatory coursework, but also a great deal of personal contact with the professor within the classroom environment.
The program helps the student integrate scientific, cultural, and religious views and develop the skills and objectivity necessary for the advancement of scientific knowledge.
To assist the student in attaining this goal, APU provides an advisor and a premedical/predental advisory committee, which assist the student in class selections, keep track of academic progress, provide information on medical and dental school admission policies, and in general, aid the student in areas of difficulty.
In addition, career seminars and an MCAT review course (BIOL 470) led by the university premedical advisor are offered. Both a high score on the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) and a high grade-point average are necessary for consideration in application to a professional school.
Benefits and Distinctives
- Knowledge and experience in modern science
- Preparation for medical or graduate school
- Training for a career in laboratory research, public health, dentistry, medicine, and animal care
Career Opportunities
- Teaching
- Sales
- Research
- Other health care related fields
What About Internship and Graduate School Opportunities?
About 80 percent of APU’s preprofessional students participate in internships and/or conduct research within the Department of Biology and Chemistry. Other internships include medical missions in Mexico and performing venipuncture at Monrovia Community Hospital. Nearly 90 percent of APU’s preprofessional graduates pursue a post-graduate degree at institutions such as Loma Linda University; University of California, Irvine and Riverside; Wise Medical College; Loma Linda Dental School; Albert Einstein College of Medicine; College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific; and other osteopathic institutions.
“APU has the unique quality of offering personal attention while also providing the academic challenge and opportunities often found only at larger universities. And it is the faculty and staff that makes this possible through their evident love for the students and their genuine gift of teaching.”
Lily Knowles
In addition to the general studies requirement, the following is typical of the academic prerequisites required by most medical or dental schools:
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 151*/152 | General Chemistry I, II | 4, 4 |
| CHEM 251/252 | Organic Chemistry Theory | 4, 4 |
| CHEM 261/262 | Organic Chemistry Lab | 1, 1 |
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 151*/152 | General Biology I, II | 4, 4 |
| Mathematics (Select on pair) | ||
| MATH 151*/152 | Applied Calculus I, II | 3, 3 |
| MATH 251*/252 | Calculus I, II | 5, 4 |
| Physics (Select one pair) | ||
| PHYC 201*/202 | Fundamentals of Physics I, II | 4, 4 |
| PHYC 251*/252 | Physics I, II | 5, 5 |
| *Meets general studies requirement. | ||
| Furthermore, the following courses provide excellent preparation for medical school: | ||
| CHEM 300/310 | Quantitative Analysis–Theory and Lab | 2, 2 |
| BIOC 380/381 | Biochemistry I, II | 4, 4 |
| BIOL 280 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 300 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 336 | Vertebrate Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 350 | Mammalian Physiology | 4 |
