Pre-Dental Hygiene
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medical
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Veterinary
Pre-Pharmacy
PDF of Catalog Section for Download
Return to Arts & Sciences Catalog Homepage
Return to 2019-2020 Academic Catalog Homepage
Programs for Pre‑Dentistry, Pre‑Medicine, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre‑Veterinary, Pre-Pharmacy
Below is the pre-admission course work required for acceptance into the various professional schools. Students interested in one of these areas must confer with an advisor for their area of interest, the two most common being Biology or Chemistry. Admission to professional schools almost always requires a four year degree, therefore your advisor should be a faculty member in the area in which you will major.
Recommended Chemistry Course Sequence for Pre-health Sciences (Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Osteopathy, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant, and Pre-Veterinary)
The vast majority of our majors benefit from taking CHM 1034 General Chemistry I during their freshman year, prior to enrolling in CHM 1014 University Chemistry I. The general chemistry to university chemistry course sequence recommended for pre-health sciences biology majors, based on a long-proven track record, provides the greatest likelihood of success in this portion of the curriculum. Pre-health sciences students are encouraged to work closely with the advisor in their particular focus area to help ensure timely and successful progression of coursework to graduation. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recommends a score of 22 or higher on the Mathematics component of the ACT and/or prior completion of MTH 1243 college Algebra to enroll directly in CHM 1014. Medical school admissions committees generally place considerable emphasis on the GPA achieved in the chemistry curriculum and this carries a great deal of weight in evaluating the potential for applicants’ prospects of success. Depending on the previous school attended and courses completed, transfer students may have additional considerations, and should seek advice from their departmental advisor as soon as possible.
Note: pre-medical biology majors are not required to take CHM 1034 to earn the biology degree; however, it is highly recommended as a preparation for CHM 1014 (see previous paragraph for additional details). If the student chooses to take it, he/she will be better prepared for success in subsequent chemistry courses and the MCAT. If CHM 1034 is taken, it may require at least one summer class to be prepared to take the MCAT during the junior year.
Pre-Dental Hygiene
Most HSU pre-dental hygiene students apply to and enter the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The course requirements for application to this school are given below. Other dental hygiene associate programs could have additional or different requirements.
8 hrs Biology |
Introduction to Biology or Zoology and Microbiology with labs |
4 hrs Chemistry |
General Chemistry |
3 hrs Math |
College Algebra |
6 hrs English |
English A and English B |
3 hrs History |
U.S. History to 1877 or U.S. History since 1877 or American National Government |
3 hrs Speech |
Oral Communication |
3 hrs Psychology |
Gen. Psychology |
3 hrs Sociology |
Introduction to Sociology |
6 hrs Humanities |
World Literature I or II, or Intro to Philosophy |
12 hrs Electives |
Six must be 3000-4000 level |
Pre-Dentistry
Most HSU pre-dental students apply to and attend the University of Tennessee’s College of Dentistry. The course requirements for application to this school are given below. Other dental schools could have additional or different requirements.
8 hrs Biology |
General Zoology and General Botany with labs |
20 hrs Chemistry |
Univ. Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, and Biochemistry I |
6 hrs English |
English A and English B |
8 hrs Physics |
Gen. Physics I & II or Univ. Physics I & II with labs |
4 to 4 hrs |
Other biology: Histology, Microbiologyor Comparative Anatomy with labs |
Recommended electives include Genetics, Comparative Anatomy, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, Histology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, and Neurobiology.
Pre-Medical
Most HSU pre-medical students apply to and attend the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences School of Medicine. The course requirements for application to this school are given below. Other medical schools could have additional or different requirements.
- Two semesters of Biology
- Three semesters of Chemistry (to include Organic Chemistry with lab, and Biochemistry)
- One semester of Genetics
- Two semesters of Physics
- Two semesters of English
- One semester of Statistics
- Two semesters of Social Sciences (General Psychology and Introduction to Sociology are strongly recommended)
Strongly recommended courses are in the area of Biology: General Zoology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Histology, Cell Biology. It is imperative that students interested in this field consult regularly with their department pre-medial advisor.
Pre-Optometry
Most HSU pre-optometry students apply to and attend the Southern College of Optometry. The course requirements for application to this school are given below. Other optometry schools could have additional or different requirements.
12 hrs biology |
General Zoology, General Botany and Microbiology with labs |
20 hrs Chemistry |
Univ. Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, and Biochemistry |
6 hrs English |
English A and English B |
8 hrs Physics |
Gen. Physics I & II or Univ. Physics I & II with labs |
8 hrs Math |
Calculus I and Statistics |
3 hrs Psychology |
General Psychology |
6 hrs Social Science |
Sociology, Psychology, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Geography, etc. |
Pre-Physical Therapy
Most HSU pre-physical therapy students apply to and enter the physical therapy program at the University of Central Arkansas. The course requirements for application to this school are given below. Other physical therapy programs could have additional or different requirements.
16 hrs Biology |
General Zoology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, and one upper level animal-based course |
8 hrs Chemistry |
Univ. Chemistry I & II or Gen. Chemistry and Gen. Organic & Biochemistry with labs |
8 hrs Physics |
Gen. Physics I & II with labs |
3 hrs Psychology |
Gen. Psychology |
3 hrs Statistics |
Statistics or Experimental Statistics or Statistical Methods |
1 hr |
Medical Terminology |
Pre-Veterinary
Most HSU pre-veterinary students apply to and attend the Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. The course requirements for application to this school are given below. Other veterinary schools could have additional or different requirements.
12 hrs Biology |
General Zoology, Microbiology and an upper level biology |
20 hrs Chemistry |
Univ. Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, and Biochemistry |
6 hrs English |
English A and English B |
8 hrs Physics |
Gen. Physics I & II or Univ. Physics I & II |
6 hrs Math |
College Algebra or Pre-Calculus, and Trigonometry |
Pre‑Pharmacy
Below are the courses required for acceptance into the College of Pharmacy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Other pharmacy schools could have additional or different requirements. UAMS requires a total of 69 hours. Humanities electives (humanities, literature, social sciences, history) are taken to complete the required 61 hours. Consult with a pre-pharmacy advisor for options and curriculum requirements for other pharmacy schools. The Biology and Chemistry department and the UAMS Pharmacy School recommend that students earn their four year degree before entering pharmacy school. Acceptance into a professional school is not guaranteed therefore it is wise to work toward a four year degree as you take these courses.
Core Courses
3 hrs Math |
MTH 1243 College Algebra |
16 hrs Chemistry |
CHM 1014/CHM 1024 University Chemistry I & II and labs CHM 3063/CHM 3051 Organic Chemistry I and lab and CHM 3073/CHM 3131 Organic Chemistry II and lab |
12 hrs Biology |
BIO 2114 General Zoology and lab BIO 2014 General Botany and lab BIO 2094 Microbiology and lab |
Non-core Courses
9 hrs English |
ENG 1463/ENG 1473 Freshman English A & B, and/or speech, literature courses |
3 hrs Business |
ECO 2013 Microeconomics Or ECO 2023 Macroeconomics Or ACC 2013 Principles of Accounting |
3 hrs Statistics |
STA1313 Statistical Reasoning or STA2323 Statistical Methods |
3 hrs Oral Com |
COM2013 Oral Communications |
3 hrs Psychology |
PSY1013 General Psychology |
3 hrs Humanities |
Choose from world cultures or history, anthropology, sociology, or foreign language |
9 hrs recommend Electives: |
CHM 2084 Quantitative Analysis MTH 1294 Calculus I MTH 2323 Statistical Methods PHY 2034 General Physics I and lab ENG 2133 Critical Thinking BIO 3314 Animal Physiology BIO 3054 Genetics and lab BIO 4214 Cell Biology and lab CHM 4173 Medicinal Chemistry CHM 4283 Biochemistry I PHI 2133 Logic |
Additional Biology and Chemistry electives are recommended for all pre-professional students. The number and names of these biology and chemistry courses depend upon the student’s major. Most students who choose one of these professions are either biology or chemistry majors. It would be best for a student to seek advice from the department in which they intend to major.