Students must complete one year of biology with labs, one year of advanced biology (Human Anatomy and Human Physiology are suggested), Microbiology with lab, one year of general chemistry, one or two semesters of Organic Chemistry with lab (varies by school), Biochemistry, Calculus I, one year of physics with lab, psychology, and statistics. Biochemistry is recommended but not required.
Each applicant is required to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), which is designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge of pre-requisite courses. Many schools also require a minimum number of hours in observation of a practicing optometrist. Students will apply through a special website, OptomCAS (Optometry College Application Service), one year before they desire admission.
Pharmacy is the profession of providing direct input into overall patient drug management. The pharmacist reviews updated patient medication profiles on a daily basis and is increasingly involved with direct patient care. Pre-pharmacy courses include: two years of biology (general biology, human anatomy, physiology and microbiology), one year of general chemistry with labs, one year of organic chemistry with labs, calculus I (some schools require calculus II as well), statistics, one year of physics with labs, and medical terminology. Economics (most prefer microeconomics), psychology and/or sociology are also required. Biochemistry, cell biology, genetics are recommended as additional courses of value.
Each applicant is required to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), which is designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge of pre-requisite courses. Many schools also require observation of a practicing pharmacist. Students will apply through a special website, PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service), one year before they desire admission. Interested students should maintain close contact with the Division's Pre-Health Professions advisors or the chairperson of the Division of Mathematics and Sciences.
Physical therapy is a profession dealing with the development and administration of programs of care to restore motor function, relieve pain, and prevent disability in individuals whose abilities are threatened by disease, injury, loss of a body part, or conditions existing at birth. A licensed physical therapist requires a doctoral degree (DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy). In order to be admitted to the doctoral program, the student should complete the following pre-requisites: one year of general chemistry with labs, one year of physics with labs, one year of general biology (can include zoology), human anatomy, physiology, precalculus (or higher math), one year of psychology (general and advanced course – some schools are specific about the advanced PSY course) and statistics.
Additional suggested courses of value include: sociology, exercise physiology, biochemistry, medical terminology, and management courses. In addition, interested students must document 50-100 clock hours of work or volunteer experience directly related to physical therapy. Specific requirements vary by institution, so students should consult the websites of schools that are of interest.
Many schools require that students take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) as part of the admission process. Students may also be asked to apply through a special website, PTCAS (Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service), one year before they desire admission. Interested students should maintain close contact with the Division's Pre-Health Professions advisors or the chairperson of the Division of Mathematics and Sciences.
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