Opportunities in pre-medicine and pre-health professions programs | College of Science

Preparation for a successful healthcare career

Our Pre-Health Professions Programs in Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Pharmacy and other areas will allow you to gain both fundamental and hands-on scientific knowledge to prepare you for a successful career in healthcare. You can choose from an array of majors in the sciences that cover the prerequisites for medical, dental, pharmacy and other programs. Some of our majors incorporate core pre-medicine courses that will give students solid preparation for the MCAT, the Dental Admissions Test and other exams, plus the Bachelor of Science degree. Transcript visible Pre-Medical Option is available in the following majors: BioHealth Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Microbiology.

Besides the aforementioned transcript-visible pre-medicine programs, students can pursue pre-medicine studies in any College of Science major, including any major at Oregon State University.

Studying pre-medicine with a science major

As a premedical student, you will chart your course to medical school with academic advising and rigorous courses as well as opportunities to explore laboratory, field and clinical training to acquire a solid foundation in science. You will have access to outstanding research, volunteer and internship opportunities on or off-campus and through international study programs to broaden your experiences and knowledge.

Tailored courses in the sciences and special programs, such as Medical Humanities Certificate, the Pre-medical Orientation seminar, and the Application Seminar Series ensure that you will be prepared for the medical school application process. Every pre-med student has access to a team of dedicated academic advisors to ensure solid preparation for the medical school applications process.

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Pre-medicine option within science majors

The Bachelor of Science in Biology with an option in Pre-Medicine provides an excellent foundation to help you gain admission to competitive medical school programs. Core and upper division pre-medicine courses in the biology major meet the prerequisites for most accredited medical schools. The comprehensive pre-med program in Biology exposes students to a broad range of introductory and advanced courses in biomedical ethics, social sciences, psychology, writing and communication, biological sciences, disease and health, in addition to tracks in experiential learning and laboratory research. The BS biology pre-med degree provides you with the knowledge and skills to seek careers in all biology-related fields, including graduate school and other health programs in pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and veterinary science.

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The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with the Pre-Medicine Option combines a rigorous foundation in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, chemistry and genetics with core and elective courses in psychology, social sciences and microbiology. With an emphasis on undergraduate research and dedicated academic advising, the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major prepares students very well for medical and dental schools and other graduate health programs.

Learn more about the biochemistry and molecular biology major

This option is suitable for biochemistry and biophysics students interested in a career in medicine. In addition to offering a strong foundation in general chemistry, organic chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, biophysics, statistics, and biological sequence analysis, the pre-medicine option meets the requirements for most medical schools in the United States by providing students with training in genetics, psychology, ethics, and social sciences.

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The BioHealth Sciences (BHS) major with the option in Pre-Medicine consists of a comprehensive core of the biological and physical sciences combined with a variety of health and social sciences courses designed to meet the needs of students interested in a career in medicine and other health fields. BHS majors receive excellent training for a variety of professional programs in the healthcare field. The BHS major combined with the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Podiatry option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to allopathic, osteopathic, or podiatric medical schools across the United States. The BHS major includes six other Pre-Professional Health Options: Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Physician Assistant.

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The Bachelor of Science major in Chemistry with the Pre-Medicine option is a unique program designed for students planning to apply to medical and dental schools, with the added benefit of providing a second career pathway in chemistry. The chemistry pre-medicine major provides a strong background in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, mathematics and statistics, helping students master high-level scientific concepts and fulfill course requirements needed for admission to medical school.

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The Bachelor of Science major in Microbiology with the Pre-Medicine Option is designed for students interested in the microbial causes of disease and the role of the immune system in offering protection. The Pre-Med Microbiology degree prepares students very well for medical school by providing a broad focus on microbiological topics and offering upper-level microbiology and laboratory courses that are highly relevant to the field of medicine.

Learn more about the microbiology major

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Undergraduate research, internship and volunteer opportunities

Research can enhance a student’s dental, medical or other pre-health postgraduate school application. Pre-health students at OSU can explore opportunities to engage in laboratory research and field work to acquire critical thinking skills and a broad knowledge of scientific methods. Pre-medicine and other pre-health students have conducted research related to human health and biomedical discovery while others developed their own research project guided by a faculty mentor. Students can apply for research funding and scholarships from the Department, the University or the College of Science to support their individual projects and studies at OSU.

Pre-Dental and Pre-Medicine students have numerous opportunities to participate in volunteer and internship activities at the local, national and international level. You can interact with healthcare professionals, dentists and physicians to gain hands-on experience and to explore potential career paths through job shadowing.

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Medical and dental schools where our graduates have landed