Specializations
The medical sciences specialization, a pre-health professions curriculum, will prepare students for entry into medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, osteopathy, chiropractic, and podiatry schools, as well as into many other allied health programs.
Students considering a health-related profession should demonstrate above-average ability in the natural sciences. Students also should exhibit traits commonly associated with health practitioners, e.g., persistence, curiosity, good judgement, initiative, emotional maturity, attention to details, and good interpersonal skills. Pre-dental students should also have or develop good manual skills and the ability to make acute judgments on space and shapes. The medical sciences specialization provides entrance requirements for professional schools, and also awards students a Bachelor of Science either at the end of the four-year program, or in the case of early admission, at the end of the first year of professional school. Students requesting acceptance for the medical science specialization will be advised by a biology/medical science advisor with regard to their academic curriculum. Because professional schools adhere rigidly to their entrance requirements and because there is strict course sequencing for completion of these requirements, students in this specialization should seek advisement early to ensure satisfactory progress.
Sample Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Medical Science
The first two years of biology and chemistry courses are identical for all specializations. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts will complete six courses in fine and performing arts or humanities, including one year of the same foreign language.
Year 1 Fall Semester
(4) CHEM 121A General Chemistry I (BPS)
(1) CHEM 125A General Chemistry Lab I (EL)
(3) ENG 101 English Composition I
(5) MATH 145 Calculus for Life Sciences (FQR)
(1) FST 101 Succeeding & Engaging at SIUE
18 - Total Credits
Year 1 Spring Semester
(4) CHEM 121B General Chemistry II (BPS)
(1) CHEM 121B General Chemistry Lab II
(3) ENG 102 English Composition II
(3) ACS 101 Public Speaking
15 - Total Credits
Year 2 Fall Semester
(4) BIOL 220 Genetics (BLS)
(3) CHEM 241A Organic Chemistry I (BPS)
(3) RA 101 Reasoning & Argumentation or PHIL 212
(4) STAT 244 Statistics (BICS)
(3) Breadth Humanities (BHUM)
17 - Total Credits
Year 2 Spring Semester
(4) BIOL 319 Cell & Molecular Biology
(3) CHEM 241B Organic Chemistry II (BPS)
(2) CHEM 245 Organic Chemistry Lab
(5) PHYS 131/PHYS 131L College Physics I or PHYS 151, PHYS 151L University Physics I
14 - Total Credits
Year 3 Fall Semester
(5) PHYS 132/PHYS 132L College Physics II or PHYS 152, PHYS 152L University Physics II
(3) Breadth Social Science (BSS)
(3) BIOL Elective (recommended)
(3) Breadth Fine & Performing Arts (BFPA)
14 - Total Credits
Year 3 Spring Semester
(4) BIOL 340 Physiology
(3-4) BIOL Elective (300-400 Level)
(2) Elective, if needed
(3) Experience Global Cultures (EGC)
(3) Health Experience (EH)
15-16 - Total Credits
Year 4 Fall Semester
(1) BIOL 492 Biological Sciences Colloquium I
(4) BIOL Elective (400 Level)
(3) CHEM 351 Biochemistry I
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(3) Elective
14 - Total Credits
Year 4 Spring Semester
(2) BIOL 492M or BIOL 497
(3) CHEM 352 Biochemistry II
(3) Experience United States Cultures (EUSC)
(3-4) BIOL Elective (300-400 Level)
(2) Elective
13-14 - Total Credits
Total Hours 120
Transfer Students: To maximize your transfer experience, complete the bolded courses/requirements pre-transfer and satisfy either the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Ed Core or receive an AA, AS, or AAT (early childhood, special ed or math) degree from an IAI community college. If 'Minor' requirements are shown, discuss careful course selection with the academic advising contact listed. Visit the transfer credit website to find course equivalency guides.
