Many students enter WU with an interest in going to medical school after the BA degree. A biology major provides excellent preparation for medical school; a biology major that includes at least 2 semesters of independent research (Biology 500) provides outstanding preparation for biological and/or biomedical research in graduate and/or medical school.
All students who plan to major in biology who have an interest in premedicine should enroll in Chemistry 111A in the fall of freshman year. Severe difficulty in academic planning will result from omitting Chemistry 111A in the fall of freshman year since Chemistry 111A is the prerequisite for Biology 296A, the introductory course for biology majors and/or premedical students.
| Fall - Year One | Spring - Year One | Fall - Year Two | Spring - Year Two |
| Chem 111A (3) | Chem 112A (3) | Chem 251 (3) | Chem 252 (3) |
Bio 11x(3) or Bio 181 (1) (highly rec. for students with research interests). |
Bio 296A (4) (Chem 111A pre-req; Chem 112A co-req). |
Bio 297A (4) (Bio 296A and Chem 112A pre-reqs) |
Bio 3051 (4) (Bio 297A pre-req). |
| Math 131 (3 or 4) | Math 132 or 1323 (3 or 4) | Math 233 (4) (rec.), or Distribution (3). | Distribution (3) |
| Chem (Lab) 151 (1) | Chem (Lab) 152 (1) | Chem (Lab) 257 (2) | |
| Distribution (3) or English Comp 1xx (3). | English Comp 1xx (3), or Distribution (3) | Distribution (6) | Distribution (3) |
| Distribution (3) |
Biology 296A and 297A (Fundamentals of Biology I and II) are the introductory courses required of both biology majors and premedical students. Biology 296A is normally taken in the spring of freshman year. Chemistry 111A is a prerequisite and Chemistry 112A is a corequisite of Biology 296A. Biology 297A is normally taken in the fall of sophomore year. Both Biology 296A and Chemistry 112A are prerequisites of Biology 297A. Biology 3051 (Fundamentals of Biology III: Genetics) is required for the biology major; the Biology Department highly recommends Biology 3051 for all premedical students. Biology 3051 is normally taken in the spring of the sophomore year; Biology 297A is a prerequisite of Biology 3051. These courses in the Fundamentals of Biology are designed to be taken consecutively and, together, provide a strong foundation for further study in the life sciences.
Mathematics 131 - 132 (or 131 - 1323) is required for all biology majors and satisfies medical school requirements for one year of college calculus. Mathematics 233 is recommended for students with interests in basic research. Physics 117A-118A is generally taken in the junior year by biology majors or pre-med students majoring in an area outside of the sciences. Premedical students considering either a chemistry, a physics, and/or an engineering major should follow the recommendations of the appropriate department concerning the timing of Physics 117A-118A.
MCATs (Medical College Admission Tests) are usually taken in April of the junior year. MCATs are also offered in August just prior to the senior year; scores from the August MCATs arrive at medical schools after some admissions decisions have been completed, however. All of the above required courses: (1) should be completed for the MCATs; (2) are needed if the student will attend medical school; and (3) are needed by all biology majors. Biology 181, a 1-unit credit/no credit course is highly recommended (but not required) for students with interests in biological and/or biomedical research. A freshman seminar will be very interesting for those with interests in biology and/or premedicine who wish to take an additional biology course in the fall of the freshman year.
There are 9-11 distribution courses outside of the natural and physical
sciences that are required for the B.A. in the College. It is useful for
the student to take 4-5 of these courses by the end of the second year to
allow flexibility in course planning and scheduling in the junior and senior
years, especially if the student chooses to take Independent Research. A
research experience can be critical if the student wishes to be competitive
for admission to (1) Ph.D., (2) M.D., or (3) joint M.D./Ph.D. programs at
research-oriented schools. The joint M.D./Ph.D. program is quite attractive
for students with an interest in academic medicine and basic research; some
of these programs cover the costs of tuition and pay a yearly stipend for
all years spent in medical and graduate training. A listing of medical schools
with M.D./Ph.D. programs can be found at the site http://www.nih.gov/nigms/funding/mstp.html
on the WWW. An excellent time for the student to take independent research
(Biology 500) is in the junior and senior years. Large open blocks of time
in those years are very important since much of the independent research
requires long hours not interrupted by classes; in addition, many students
conduct their research at our Medical School and transportation time between
the Medical School and the Main Campus is a factor in schedule planning
during these semesters. Completing half of the distribution requirements
outside of the sciences by the end of the second year can be very helpful
to students who enroll in independent research. In addition, many medical
schools require a course in English Composition such as EComp 100 or 199
as well as an additional course in English, English Literature, or English
Composition; see the requirements of specific medical schools for details.
" 1989 by Sidney Harris-"Einstein Simplified," Rutgers Univ. Press"
All students with interests in medicine should demonstrate their abilities to assist others by serving as a volunteer. Important volunteer experiences can be obtained in a variety of ways, e.g., at a hospital, at a nursing home, in a camp or school for individuals in need of help, serving as a tutor, etc. The Campus Y is an excellent resource to assist students in placement for volunteer experiences. Elaine Alexander, Assistant Outreach Coordinator, (x5-7170; elaine@biodec.wustl.edu) is also an excellent person to contact about placement. Students who would like academic credit for a volunteer "Experience in the Life Sciences" should consider enrollment in Biology 365.
For further information about medical schools and the medical school
application process, contact Dean Cynthia Csernansky (x5-6066) in the College
of Arts and Sciences Office. For questions about these guidelines in medicine,
contact Professor Paul Stein (x5-6824; stein@biodec.wustl.edu) in the Biology
Department. The American Medical College Application Service can be reached
at http://www.aamc.org/ Further information
on medical schools can be obtained at http://www.aamc.org/meded/medschls/start.htm;
on the MCAT at http://www.aamc.org/stuapps/admiss/mcat/start.htm.
Students who are considering a career in health care, but who think that they might be more interested in management and administration rather than in patient care, should consider a career in health administration. Because of changes that are currently taking place in our health-care system, there are now many diverse career options for those trained in health administration. For example, health-care executives typically have management positions in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, ambulatory care facilities, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), health-related associations, consulting firms, public health organizations and other government agencies. By working in these positions, health-care administrators have the opportunity to make significant contributions to improving health care in the communities served by these institutions and organizations.
Qualifications for an entry-level position in health administration include a Master's degree, usually in health-care management from an accredited school, and an internship, fellowship or previous work experience in a health-care organization or other business setting. There are many accredited colleges and universities in the USA and Canada (including Washington University) that offer suitable graduate programs. In general, earning a Master's degree from these graduate programs takes two years. The programs include course work in health-care policy and law, marketing, health-care financing, human resources and other topics relevant to health-care management. Many programs include supervised internships, residencies or fellowships in a clinic, hospital or health-care agency.
As an example of the requirements for admission into a Master's degree program in health administration, the requirements for admission to Washington University Medical School's Master in Health Administration Program are a bachelor's degree and completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). No specific undergraduate major field of study is required for admission to the program. However, an introductory course in accounting is required. Previous experience working in health care is recommended. A double major in biology and economics would provide strong preparation.
The Natural Sciences Learning Center has a pamphlet containing additional
information on careers in Health Administration and a list of accredited
graduate programs. For further information contact Marilyn Hummert, Administrative
Coordinator at the Washington University Health Administration Program (362-3274)
or the American College of Healthcare Executives, One North Franklin St.;
Suite 1700; Chicago, IL 60606-3491 (phone: 312-424-2800; http://www.ACHE.org/
"1992 by Sidney Harris- "Chalk Up Another One: The Best of Sidney Harris," AAAS Press.
A genetic counselor helps individuals or families afflicted with genetic disease. As genetic knowledge has increased, the definition of genetic disease has been broadened from the classic Mendelian diseases and chromosomal abnormalities to include common diseases (such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, etc.) that have a strong genetic component. The duties of a genetic counselor vary, but can include helping make the diagnosis of the disease, counseling individuals about the nature of the disease and its genetic basis, informing individuals and their relatives about the risk of carrying the disease or being affected by it, requesting and/or performing genetic tests either to assess risk or determine precisely the genetic state of the individual, and working with patients and physicians in deciding upon treatment options.
There are two principal career paths for entering the field of genetic counseling. The first is to obtain an M.D. Medical doctors with an interest in genetic counseling have traditionally specialized in pediatrics because the bulk of classic Mendelian diseases and chromosomal abnormalities first become apparent in infants (about a third of all pediatric inpatients in U.S. hospitals are afflicted by a genetic or chromosomal disease). However, this situation is beginning to change as genetics is increasingly being used to assess risk and effective treatment of diseases affecting older individuals. Those individuals choosing the medical path to genetic counseling will usually be primarily involved in diagnosis and treatment of the diseases. The other path to genetic counseling is to pursue graduate work in human genetics, either at the master's or doctoral levels. There are now several master's degree programs in genetic counseling that lead to accreditation as a genetic counselor by the American Board of Medical Genetics. Individuals pursuing this path often deal more with risk assessment and prediction, family counseling, and the performance of genetic testing.
For either career path, biology majors interested in genetic counseling should take additional courses in genetics, such as Bio 337 (The Cell Nucleus), Bio 4181 (Population Genetics), and Bio 437 (Laboratory on DNA Manipulation). Because genetic counseling involves risk prediction and the manipulation of probabilities, students also should take Math 320 (Elementary Probability and Statistics). For those students wishing to work with the common diseases that affect older individuals and have a strong genetic component, additional courses in mathematics and statistics are strongly recommended, such as Math 439 (Linear Statistical Models), Math 493 (Probability), and Math 494 (Mathematical Statistics).
Additional information can be obtained from the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Executive Office, 233 Canterbury Drive, Wallingford, PA 19086 (phone: 215/872-7608; http://www.kumc.edu/GEC/prof/gc.html) or the American Board of Genetic Counseling http://www.faseb.org/genetics/abgc/abgcmenu.htm.
A genetic counselor helps individuals or families afflicted with genetic disease. As genetic knowledge has increased, the definition of genetic disease has been broadened from the classic Mendelian diseases and chromosomal abnormalities to include common diseases (such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, etc.) that have a strong genetic component. The duties of a genetic counselor vary, but can include helping make the diagnosis of the disease, counseling individuals about the nature of the disease and its genetic basis, informing individuals and their relatives about the risk of carrying the disease or being affected by it, requesting and/or performing genetic tests either to assess risk or determine precisely the genetic state of the individual, and working with patients and physicians in choosing treatment options.
At the present time this is a highly marketable career with salaries (for Master's degree) ranging from $32,000 (starting) to $80,000 per year. Students interested in a Master's degree program in occupational therapy need specific prerequisite courses; most of these courses are part of the Washington University B.A. in Biology (an upper-level course in biology such as Bio 311; Chem 111A-112A and Chem 151-152, Physics 117A; and English Composition). However, several concern specific areas in biology, psychology, and sociology/anthropology. Courses most often required include a course in human physiology (such as Bio 328, Introductory Human Physiology); a course in abnormal psychology (such as Psych 354); a course in developmental psychology (such as Psych 321); a course in sociology/anthropology (such as Anth 301B, Individual, Family, and Community); a course in political science or economics (such as Econ 103B, Microeconomics or Econ 352, Health Economics); a course in statistics (such as Psych 300 or Math 1011 or 320); and a course in ethics or logic (such as Phil 100G, Introduction to Logic and Critical Analysis, or Phil 233F, Biomedical Ethics). Competence in medical terminology is often required and can be gained through Classics 325D or through guided study. However, entrance requirements will vary between schools; one should consult the catalogues or application brochures for the schools of interest.
Typically, a professional Master's Degree in occupational therapy will take approximately 2.5 complete years. This time includes a 6-month internship (non-paid) which is apparently easily arranged by the degree-awarding institution. A final certification exam is required.
Courses in a Master's degree program typically include "Functional
Assessment," "Applied Anatomy," "Therapeutic Intervention,"
and "Administration" as examples. A complete description of course
work and prerequisites for the Washington University Program in Occupational
Therapy, and a description of occupational therapy careers are present in
the Natural Sciences Learning Center. Also, the Occupational Therapy Program
at Washington University can be reached at 314-286-1600. Career advisors
are willing to discuss occupational therapy as a career with anyone interested.
Further information is available at http://www.Aota.org/
and http://www.Slackinc.com/otpt/otptnet.htm
Physical Therapy is a health profession that applies scientific principles
to prevent and to remedy problems in human movement. Physical therapists
evaluate patients to diagnose problems with movement that impair normal
function. Treatment for these conditions is directed to optimize a patient's
ability to move and function in everyday life. Treatment is performed to
improve strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility, and range of joint
motion, and to provide training for mobility at home and in the community.
Traditionally physical therapists have worked in many settings including hospitals, private offices, out-patient clinics, nursing homes, schools, home-care agencies, and rehabilitation centers. Physical therapists are trained to work with adult, pediatric and geriatric patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary or medical problems. Today's trends in health care are leading to increased demands for therapists to aid in preventing as well as treating musculoskeletal problems, work with patients with increasingly acute conditions, and focus on care needed by a population represented by a large, and growing, number of older individuals.
Physical therapy programs now offer baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees at the professional entry-level. Programs are now offered in all of the United States (except Hawaii, Alaska, Nevada, and Wyoming), the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The length of time for the prerequisite and professional components of education vary from program to program, and the total time required to prepare graduates ranges from four to seven years of college. Licensure is required after graduation before a physical therapist can practice.
Individuals entering the Master of Science Degree Program at Washington University are required to have:
| Generally Required Courses | Washington University Courses |
| 1 year of Physics with labs | Physics 117A, 118A |
| 1 year of Chemistry with labs | Chemistry 111A, 112A, 151-152 |
| 1 year of Biology | Biology 296A, 297A * |
| Anatomy | Biology 311 |
| Physiology | Biology 328 |
| Trigonometry or Calculus | Math 131 |
| Statistics | Psychology 300, Math 1011 or Math 320 |
| 1 year of English to include EComp | EComp 100 and an English elective |
| 1 year of Psychology to include Abnormal Psych | Psych 100B, 354 |
| At least 1 other course in the Social Sciences | Social Science elective |
| Medical Terminology competence | Classics 225D ** |
*Other Biology courses also may be used to meet this requirement.
**Classics 225D is optional. Students may contact the Physical Therapy program regarding a self-paced programmed text as an alternative to taking this course.
For general information about programs in Physical Therapy students should write to the American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or call (703) 684-2782, or use the web (http://www.Apta.org). Additional information about the Washington University Program may be obtained by calling 286-1400.
Veterinarians treat and prevent animal disease. Because of the great diversity of species treated, there is great variety in the work of veterinarians. Most veterinarians work in private practice, either on their own or as partners in a group practice. Many private practices specialize in the treatment of small animals, primarily dogs and cats. Increasingly such practices also treat birds and a variety of exotic animals. Mixed animal practices may also work with a variety of farm animals, as well as some nondomestic animals. A minority of veterinary practices specialize in large animals, usually with an emphasis on horses and cows. There are many opportunities for veterinary work in areas other than private practice. For example, in private industry veterinarians may conduct research on nutrition or drug effects for pharmaceutical companies or safeguard the health of laboratory animal colonies. Veterinarians also work for zoos and aquariums, and may act as consultants to wildlife preservation groups. A variety of government agencies employ veterinarians in the areas of meat inspection, animal quarantine, and the care of wildlife in our parks. Academic institutions in the biomedical fields employ veterinarians as clinicians, researchers, and teachers.
Licensing to practice general veterinary medicine requires graduation with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Licensing requires satisfactory performance on the national board examination, as well as other requirements controlled by the states. After graduation, many veterinarians choose to specialize, either in a clinical specialty or in work with a particular species. Specialization involves a one-year internship followed by two or three years of residency training.
Students interested in a veterinary career should be sure to obtain experience working in a veterinary practice, as such experience is required for admission to most or all veterinary schools. Course requirements vary with the institution, but always include a solid basis of chemistry (both inorganic and organic), physics, and biology. Generally, courses in biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and nutrition are also specified. Biology majors interested in veterinary medicine should take our upper-level courses on Vertebrate Structure (Bio 311), Vertebrate Development (Bio 312), Comparative Vertebrate Physiology (Bio 4011), and Endocrinology (Bio 315).
Additional information can be obtained from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, 1101 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 710, Washington DC 20005-3521 (phone 202-371-9195; http://aavmc.org), or the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360 (phone: 1-800-248-AVMA; http://www.avma.org). Excellent books entitled "Veterinary Medical school Admission Requirements in the United States and Canada" and "The Preveterinary Planning Guide" are available from the Betz Publishing Co., P.O. Box 1745, Rockville MD 20849-9947 (phone: 1-800-634-4365).
The field of Dentistry covers a broad spectrum of opportunities. The General Dentist or Family Dentist is an individual involved in the routine maintenance and clinical diagnosis of the oral cavity. This individual is trained in minor surgical procedures, oral prosthetic work, and some cosmetic Dentistry. The General Dentist is usually associated with a number of specialists. Although the field of General Dentistry was saturated in the 1980s it now appears that there are emerging opportunities. Typically, an individual will spend four years in Dental School (undergraduate dental degree) and one or two years in a family-practice residency program before joining a dental group or starting a practice. There are also opportunities in the military and in such cases the US government will subsidize the cost of dental education. Other areas of dentistry generally require advanced training in postgraduate master's or specialty programs. Such areas include orthodontics, periodontics, prosthedontics, pediatric dentistry, oral maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology, and forensic dentistry. There is also opportunity for dental research careers with a combined DDS-Ph.D. training program. Typically, such individuals are employed as faculty of Dental Schools or by pharmaceutical companies.
For information on these advanced programs it is recommended that individuals contact the Greater St. Louis Dental Society (13667 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO, PH: 965-5960) or the American Dental Association (ADA), (211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678, PH: 1-800-621-8099).
Suggested courses for a student who is considering a career in dentistry would include Biology 311, 312, 315, 334, 3411, 349 and 424. Art 107-108 would be helpful since excellent eye-hand coordination is required for the profession. Many dental schools request that students applying to dental school take the standardized dental aptitude test before consideration for admission. Finding summer work in a dental office is recommended to get first-hand experience of the profession.
The first year of Dental School is similar or identical to Medical School in the basic science courses required. These usually include: Human Gross Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Immunology/Microbiology. There are also preclinical courses to prepare students to interact with patients and staff and, in general, learn the basic operation of the Dental Clinics. The sophomore year includes courses such as oral pathology, radiology, and other preclinical courses to understand the clinical problems confronting dental clinicians. Usually it is not until the second semester of the sophomore year and that summer when students begin to experience interactions with patients. This period can best be described as a team apprentice-approach at most US Dental Schools. In the sophomore year, the student is required to take and pass Part I of a National Dental Board Exam. In the junior and senior years the student continues to take a variety of courses to understand and to treat oral diseases. A majority of time is involved in fulfilling certain clinical objectives. If all requirements are fulfilled, the individual must take Part II of a Dental National Board exam in order to receive his or her dental degree. Some states also require separate testing before you can practice dentistry in that state. Further information is available on the WWW at site (http://bpass.dentistry.dal.ca/dentalschools.html).
Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. Biology and psychology intersect mainly in studies of neuroscience and ethology. Neuroscience encompasses anatomical, biochemical and physiological studies of the nervous system, whereas ethology is the study of animal behavior, usually in an ecological or evolutionary context. Students interested in the interface of these disciplines may choose a double major in biology and psychology, or may choose either single major and supplement it with courses from the other discipline.
There are several career paths for students of psychology. Psychiatry is a medical profession devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of emotional, mental and behavioral disorders of patients by psychoanalytical and pharmacological means. Standard medical training (M.D. degree) with a residency in psychiatry is required. Clinical psychology also involves the study and treatment of disturbed or maladaptive behaviors, but substitutes completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in psychology for medical training. Both psychiatrists and clinical psychologists may operate private practices, or may be employed by medical institutions, public school systems, juvenile correction centers, and rehabilitation centers. A third career path in psychology involves academic research and teaching. This path also requires a Ph.D. in psychology, but the emphasis is on experimental study of behavior and neurobiology rather than treatment of patients. These psychologists often are employed at universities as professors of psychology.
The study of psychology also can lead to careers that do not require doctoral-level training. Careers in social work and rehabilitation counseling usually require master's degrees in these disciplines, but entry level jobs are often available for people having only baccalaureate degrees with an emphasis on psychology. Study of psychology also provides a good background for careers in education, public relations, advertising, sales, personnel and many areas of business. Graduates with training in biology and psychology may find work as technicians in research laboratories in medical schools, universities and governmental institutions. Detailed information on career options in psychology is available through the Career Center (157 Karl Umrath Hall).
Students interested in the interface between biology and psychology may choose the standard biology major and include advanced courses in the neurosciences (Biol 3411, Biol 3421, Biol 404) among their electives. At least one course in statistics is recommended for students with interests in psychology (Math 320 and Psych 300 are appropriate introductory courses). Also recommended is a minor (minimum 15 units in psychology) or major (minimum 24 units in psychology) in the Department of Psychology (see requirements of the Department of Psychology for specifics).