Premedical Sciences, Certificate

Program Code: PMEDBC_UCT

Program Description

Non-degree program designed for academically talented, highly motivated individuals who do not have a science background. In 15-24 months students can complete science coursework required to apply for admission to medical, dental, optometry, veterinary science, podiatry, physical therapy, physician assistant or other allied health schools. Program consists of 40-42 credits of science courses.

What is Premedical Sciences?

Premedical Sciences is a certificate program for college graduates who do not have an undergraduate science background and want to strengthen their application to a health-related professional school by pursuing coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You already hold a bachelor’s degree.
  • You need additional science coursework to be a competitive applicant to a medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, podiatry, physical therapy, physician assistant, or other health care education program.

Program Requirements

To earn an undergraduate certificate in Premedical Sciences, a minimum of 42 credits is required.

Prescribed Courses
BIOL 110Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity Keystone/General Education Course4
BIOL 141Introduction to Human Physiology Keystone/General Education Course3
BIOL 142Physiology Laboratory1
BIOL 230WBiology: Molecules and Cells4
CHEM 110Chemical Principles I Keystone/General Education Course3
CHEM 111Experimental Chemistry I Keystone/General Education Course1
CHEM 112Chemical Principles II Keystone/General Education Course3
CHEM 113Experimental Chemistry II Keystone/General Education Course1
CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 212Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 213Laboratory in Organic Chemistry2
PHYS 250Introductory Physics I Keystone/General Education Course4
PHYS 251Introductory Physics II Keystone/General Education Course4
SC 201Medical Professions1
In addition to previous courses, health professions related courses selected in consultation with an adviser.3-5

Prerequisites Required.

Certificate Learning Objectives

  • Preparation for Further Study: Provide students without a science background the course work required to apply for admission to medical, dental, optometry, veterinary science, podiatry, physical therapy, physician assistant, or other allied health schools.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Erie

Todd Cook, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
160 Nick
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6292
tdc15@psu.edu

Career Paths

Demonstrating success in foundational and advanced undergraduate scientific coursework can help you strengthen your health-related professional school application and potentially increase your chances of being placed in the university and program of your choice

Careers

Employment in the health care sector is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.3 million new jobs through 2026.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A CERTIFICATE IN PREMEDICAL SCIENCES

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

The School of Science has an active health professions committee that assists certificate students in their professional-school search.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Professional Resources

Contact

Erie

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
1 Prischak
4205 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6105
behrend-science@psu.edu

https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-science