Curriculum Planning

Courses Required for Admittance to Professional Schools in the Health Professions:

Most health professions schools require the same undergraduate courses:

The English requirements must include a composition class. Each science course must include laboratory, and should not be designated “for non-science majors”. If you have AP credit in any one of these subjects, you may need to take an additional, advanced course in that field. Many professional schools have begun to require or strongly recommend a course in Biochemistry (Bio 33: Intermediary Metabolism or Chm 43: Biological Chemistry). Many schools also look for coursework in behavioral science and in the humanities. Advanced Biology courses are also strongly recommended. If you are planning on taking the MCAT for medical school it is highly recommended that you take either Bio 37: Human Physiology or Bio 35: Animal Physiology to properly prepare for the exam.

Most schools require at least one course college mathematics and a few require calculus. Recently many schools are now requiring two courses in mathematics. This can be fulfilled by taking either Mth 10 & 11s or Mth 11 & 12. You must take Mth 11 before taking your physics courses.

Several veterinary schools demand microbiology (Bio 31) and biochemistry (Bio 33 or Chm 43). Nursing schools typically require microbiology (Bio 31), human physiology (Bio 37), and human anatomy (Bio 18). Certain optometry schools require particular courses in psychology. While few schools have additional requirements, others strongly recommend upper level work in biology, or a specific number of credits in the humanities or social sciences; many emphasize the necessity for good writing skills. Success in any of these fields requires good reading and analytical skills. The General Education Requirements (GERs) ensures that students at Furman University will have a well-rounded education that professional schools seek among applicants.

In addition to completing your formal education, stay informed on current events (particularly on healthcare issues) and become computer literate. Learn how to utilize the World Wide Web and how to apply the basics of word processing programs. Finally, adhere to the “Keys To Success” in your studies and college life. Learn and strive to be a professional.

Always check with individual schools for additional requirements.

Suggestions for Organizing the Course Schedule:

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your course schedule.  In order to be prepared for taking the professional exams in the spring term of your junior year, you need to take a science course each term (unless you want to double up on science courses, or take summer school).

• Start with either Chm 11 or Bio 11 in the fall term.  Unless you plan to major in physics/engineering, hold off on the Phy 11 and Phy 12 courses.  There is a whole section on the MCAT dealing with Physics; the fresher the course is in your mind the better.
• Remember - Chm 11 is only offered Fall and Winter terms.  Chm 12 is only offered Winter and Spring terms. Therefore, you cannot start the chemistry sequence with Chm 11 in the spring.
• Depending on your strength in Math, you will need to take Mth 11 and possibly Mth 12 before taking Physics.
• Phy 12 is only offered Fall and Spring terms.
• Eng 11 must be taken in the first year of college.
• If you place into Mth 10, you must also take Mth 11s in the same academic year.
• Mth 12 may be needed by some premedical students and not by others.
• Mandatory for students planning on applying to medical schools like Duke that require 2 calculus courses
• Mandatory for students majoring in Chemistry, Math, or Physics.
• Recommended but not required to take Physics 12 (calculus based Physics).
• For some premedical students needing more than 4 sem. hours of Math, Mth 30 (Statistics) is a viable option.
• If you need to double-up on science courses, it is recommended that Chm 22 be doubled with Phy 12 or Bio 21.

The following are some possible ways to organize the needed science courses. Remember Mth 11 &/or Mth 12 before Physics. During winter term junior year you should plan on a serious review for the MCAT. There are sources available locally like the KAPLAN review.

Academic Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
Freshman	Path A:  Bio 11	A:  Chm 11	A:  Chm 12
	Path B:  Chm 11	B:  Bio 11	B:  Chm 12
	Path C:  Chm 11	C:  Chm 12	C:  Bio 11
	Path D:  Chm 11	D:  Chm 12	D:  Chm 21
Sophomore	Path A:  Chm 21	A:  Phy 11	A:  Chm 22
	Path B:  Chm 21	B:  Phy 11	B:  Chm 22
	Path C:  Chm 21	C:  Phy 11	C:  Chm 22
	Path D:  Chm 22	D:  Bio 11	D:  Phy 11
Junior	Path A:  Phy 12	A:  Bio 21	MCAT
	Path B:  Phy 12	B:  Bio 21
	Path C:  Phy 12	C:  Bio 21
	Path D:  Phy 12	D:  Bio 21

Other Very Useful Courses for Health Career Students:

Students who have proficiency in reading comprehension tend to do better on the MCAT. Therefore, it is recommended that you take humanities courses.

Biology 37: Human Physiology or Biology 35: Animal Physiology are highly recommended before taking the MCAT.

If you are interested in the Phl 28: Medical Ethics & Soc 33: Medicine and Society courses (winter term every other year) you will need to plan on taking Phl 20 and Soc 11 as the prerequisites.

Do not use your three Pass/Fail options for your general education requirements, your major, or your professional school prerequisites.

Most schools will not accept courses where you have earned below a "C." This means a "C-" will not be accepted by professional schools. You will need to retake the course at another school.

WITHDRAWING FROM COURSES LOOKS VERY BAD ON A TRANSCRIPT AND SENDS NEGATIVE SIGNALS TO HEALTH CAREER SCHOOL!

The course schedule examples below can apply not only to most medical schools, but also to schools of osteopathy, podiatry, dentistry and optometry. Students planning careers in other health care fields (pharmacy, veterinary science, etc.) should spend time looking at specific school web sites. The world wide web is your best source for the most up to date requirements for specific schools.

Possible Schedule for a Biology Major

YEAR	FALL	WINTER	SPRING
FRESHMAN	BIO 11 MTH 10 or 11 F.LANG 12Y Health Career Registry AED Assoc.Membership	CHM 11 ENG 11	CHM 12 MTH 11 or 12 F.LANG 21 CESC
SOPHOMORE	CHM 21 HST 11 HES 10 CESC	BIO 21 ENG 12 Join AED	CHM 22 BIO 22 REL 11 Mentorship
JUNIOR	PHY 11 BIO 30/31/32 FINE ARTS Review Options	BIO AS/AFR MCAT Review	PHY 12 BIO 35/36/37 SOC.SCI. Take MCAT Premed file
SENIOR	BIO 83/75 BIO SOC.SCI Apply to Med.Sch	BIO ELECTIVE	BIO 40/41/43 ELECTIVE ELECTIVE

Possible Schedule for a Chemistry Major

YEAR	FALL	WINTER	SPRING
FRESHMAN	CHM 11 MTH 11 ENG 11 Health Career Registry AED Assoc.Memb.	CHM 12 MTH 12	CHM 21 MTH 21 ENG 12 CESC
SOPHOMORE	CHM 22 PHY 11 FINE ARTS CESC	CHM 23 SOC.SCI Join AED	CHM 31 PHY 12 HES 10 Mentorship
JUNIOR	BIO 11 F.LANG 11 HST 11 Review Options	BIO 21 F.LANG 12 MCAT Review	CHM 32 F.LANG 21 REL 11 Take MCAT Premed file
SENIOR	CHM 43 CHM 33 SOC.SCI Apply to Med.Sch	CHM 75/85 ELECTIVE	CHM 44 AS/AFR ELECTIVE

Possible Schedule for a Non-Science Major

YEAR	FALL	WINTER	SPRING
FRESHMAN	CHM 11 MTH 10 or 11 F.LANG 11 Health Career Registry AED Assoc.Membership	CHM 12 F.LANG 12	CHM 21 F.LANG 21 ENG 11 CESC
SOPHOMORE	CHM 22 MTH 11 or 12 HST 11 CESC	PHY 11 REL 11 or 12 Join AED	PHY 12 SOC.SCI MAJOR Mentorship
JUNIOR	BIO 11 MAJOR SOC.SCI Review Options	BIO 21 MAJOR	AS.AFR. MAJOR FINE ARTS Take MCAT Premed file
SENIOR	MAJOR MAJOR HES 10 Apply to Med.Sch	MAJOR ELECTIVE	MAJOR ELECTIVE ELECTIVE

Abbreviations:

AED: Premedical Honor Society
CESC: Collegiate Educational Service Corps - Volunteer Work
MCAT: Medical College Admissions Test

Find more information on:

Department Majors at Furman University
Biology Major at Furman University:
Chemistry Major at Furman University:
Physics Major at Furman University
Psychology Major at Furman University

Freshman Year

1. Register with the Health Professions Office: Dr. John Banisaukas (john.banisaukas@furman.edu), TNS 071A 2. Join Alpha Epsilon Delta as an Associate Member 3. Work to improve study skills and management of time. 4. Organize a summer health experience; volunteer work, health related internship, mission work, etc.

Sophomore Year

1. Start actively volunteering in health related programs. 2. Continue to improve your study skills/time management. 3 .Consider trying to do something scholarly such as research, not simply meeting minimal requirements.

Junior Year

1. Attend the Junior Jumpstart program in September to find out information for applying to professional school. 2. Do research and/or get experience if you have not already done so. 3. Review to take the MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, AHPAT or other admissions exam. 4. Identify individual from whom you will request Letters of Recommendation 5. Attend the Personal Essay workshop held usually in early May 6. Make an appointment with the Health Careers Advisor to set up your Recommendation File 7. Take the appropriate admission test.

Senior Year

1. During the summer before your Senior year send applications to professional schools. Apply early. 2. Prepare and practice for interviews. 3. Keep in contact with the Health Career Advising Office.

Freshman Year

1. Register with the Health Professions Office: Dr. John Banisaukas (john.banisaukas@furman.edu), TNS 071A 2. Join Alpha Epsilon Delta as an Associate Member 3. Work to improve study skills and management of time. 4. Organize a summer health experience; volunteer work, health related internship, mission work, etc.

Sophomore Year

1. Start actively volunteering in health related programs. 2. Continue to improve your study skills/time management. 3 .Consider trying to do something scholarly such as research, not simply meeting minimal requirements.

Junior Year

1. Attend the Junior Jumpstart program in September to find out information for applying to professional school. 2. Do research and/or get experience if you have not already done so. 3. Review to take the MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, AHPAT or other admissions exam. 4. Identify individual from whom you will request Letters of Recommendation 5. Attend the Personal Essay workshop held usually in early May 6. Make an appointment with the Health Careers Advisor to set up your Recommendation File 7. Take the appropriate admission test.

Senior Year

1. During the summer before your Senior year send applications to professional schools. Apply early. 2. Prepare and practice for interviews. 3. Keep in contact with the Health Career Advising Office.