Quick Reference Sheet
Most professional schools dealing with medical curricula encourage students to develop the broadest academic base possible in undergraduate studie s. Any specific degree or major may be used as background for entry to a professional school if one has also completed the prerequisite core of courses in sciences and math. Most schools base admission decisions on grade point average, score on admissions test, interview and personal references. The application process usually occurs one and one half years prior to the intended entry date. Experience within a medically related setting during the time one is an undergraduate student is encouraged (especially in times of increasing competition) but is not required for entry to a professional school.
A baccalaureate degree is required for admission to medical and osteopathic schools and is increasingly encouraged for the other premedical pro fessional programs. Students will cover communication, social sciences and humanities prerequisites within their degree requirements. The following courses are MINIMAL requirements in ALL medical professional programs and may be seen as a core of studies. Additional requirements and modifications are then listed for each program.
General Premedical Programs Core
English 101 AND 102
Communication 111
Math through College Algebra (111) AND Trigonometry (123) OR
Precalculus Math (112)
General (Inorganic) Chemistry 111Q AND 112Q
Organic Chemistry 531 AND 532*
Biology 203Q AND 204
Physics 213Q AND 214Q OR 313Q AND 314Q WITH
LABS**
MEDICINE
The University of Kansas School of Medicine also requires the
following:
A Calculus course (Math 144 OR
242Q) OR Statistics (Math 370) OR Computer
Science (See Advisor)
Comparative Anatomy (Biology 527) OR Vertebrate Zoology
(Biology 524)
OR Gross Anatomy (Health Sciences 700)
*One semester of organic chemistry AND one semester of biochemistry may be substituted for one year of organic chemistry (See Adviso r). Courses in biochemistry (Chemistry 561 OR 662 AND 663), cell or microbial physiology, mammalian physiology, genetics, microbiology, immunobiology, embryology and histology are recommended for the additional research background provided.
Most colleges of OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE strongly recommend the same program of courses outlined above. See the premedical counselor for recommen dations. Admission requirements are basically the same for DO and MD programs.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT, given in mid-April and mid-August each year) is required for both programs.
DENTISTRY
See Core on page 60. Dental Admissions Test (DAT given in March and October) required. Kansas contracts with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry for dental school seats.
PODIATRY: See Core on page 60. MCAT required.
CHIROPRACTIC: See Core on page 60.
OPTOMETRY
Requirements for professional schools differ considerably. Check with the Premedical Professions Counselor on specifics. The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is required for admission. The state of Kansas contracts with Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee; the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry and Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Oklahoma. For most of these schools, the following are necessary in addition to the Core:
Calculus I (Math 242Q);
Microbiology (Biology 330)
Biochemistry (Chem 561); Statistics (Math 370);
General Psychology 111Q;
PHARMACY
A student may complete two years at WSU before transferring to the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy for a four-year doctorate program. The Pharm.D begins in 1996. This program requires two preparatory ye ars followed by four years in the professional curriculum. **KU requires one year of high school ph ysics with a grade of "B", OR take Physics 111Q. Biology 204 is optional for KU. See advisor for general education suggestions: 30 credit hours are necessary. The following are also required beyond the Core:
A Calculus Course (Math 144 OR
242Q)
Microbiology (Biology 220 OR 330)
Anatomy AND Physiology (Biology 223 OR 534/535 AND
527)
Biochemistry (Take at KU in first year of Professional Program)
The Premedical Professions Counselor will suggest optimum sequencing of the last three courses. Bachelor's degree students in chemistry or biology m ay qualify for graduate work in pharmacy. The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is required for KU and is scheduled in February, March and October of each year.
VETERINARY MEDICINE
All students who wish to apply to Kansas State University's School of Veterinary Medicine MUST complete 70 hours of preprofessional requirements. The following may be taken at WSU in addition to the Core on pag e 60:
Microbiology (Biology 330);
Genetics (Biology 419);
Developmental Biology (Biology 540); Biochemistry
(See Advisor); and a minimum of 12 hours in humanities AND/OR
social sciences.
Early transfer to Kansas State University is appropriate and is more efficient in terms of total prerequisite hours needed for admission to the veterinary program.
For detailed information on each of the above programs and for assistance in the application process, contact Pre medical Professions Advisors, in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center, 316-WSU-3700. LASAC office is located in Room 115 of Grace Wilkie Hall on the WSU campus. Mailing address for the Preprofessional Office is LAS Advising Center, WSU, Wichita, KS 67260-0006.
March 2002