Pre-Health Sciences Major

• What is Pre-Health Sciences?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Pre-Health Sciences?
• What Courses Do Pre-Health Sciences Majors Take?
• List of Pre-Health Sciences Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Pre-Health Sciences Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Pre-Health Sciences?

Medicine is one of the most exciting and challenging career fields. The practice of medicine in various forms draws on the strength of the sciences and an integrated general education background. However, the face of medicine in today?s changing world of healthcare is in a constant state of flux. It is a very competitive field of studies. It is largely based in the sciences and requires a special interest and competency in biology, but students enter these professions from a variety of disciplines, especially engineering and psychology. This career-oriented set of courses can lead to multiple professional directions with similar, but not identical, requirements. These programs include: Chiropractic Physician, Osteopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant, Podiatry, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Veterinary Science

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Pre-Health Sciences may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Emergency Medical Technician	Dental Laboratory Technician
Diagnostic Medical Sonography	Medical Anatomy
Medical Biochemistry	Medical Genetics
Medical Laboratory Technicians	Medical Microbiology
Medical Neurobiology	Nuclear Medical Technician

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What Kinds of Students Major in Pre-Health Sciences?

The competition for admission to medical, veterinary and other health sciences schools is intense. Only about one-third of those who apply for admission are successful, even though many of those rejected would be able to successfully complete medical school and would make good physicians and veterinarians. There is a great deal of competition from other very bright students and the courses required for admission to medical school will be quite rigorous. These students face considerable uncertainty and anxiety, so they should be able to handle this pressure. They must have the ability to handle heavy course loads as well as a rigorous schedule of study. Individuals in this major also usually have a desire to be in a position in life where they will have a positive influence on the lives of others. Students should be strong in all of their coursework, but especially strong in the sciences, particularly biology, and mathematics. Remember, too, that these professional degrees require another four years of post-baccalaureate work.

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What Courses Do Pre-Health Sciences Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Pre-Health Sciences majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Biochemistry	Biology
Calculus with Analytical Geometry	Chemistry
Genetics	Microbiology
Organic Chemistry	Physics
Physiology	Quantitative Analysis

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List of Potential Jobs in Pre-Health Sciences

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

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What is the Median Salary Range for Pre-Health Sciences Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Pre-Health Sciences

MyMajors complete list has 173 schools in the USA with a major in Pre-Health Sciences.
-View the national listing!

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