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Nondegree Curricula
Entrance into professional schools is becoming increasingly competitive; therefore, it is imperative that students begin planning their curriculum at the earliest possible time in conjunction with the appropriate academic adviser.
The preprofessional health advising office is responsible for advising premedical, predental and preveterinary students in their preparation and application to the professional schools of their choice. This office works in conjunction with the candidate's major department to establish a degree program coordinated with the preprofessional requirements of the professional schools. It is the communication link between the student and the profession, keeping the student apprised of changes in the requirements and procedures for acceptance. The advising office is located in Life Sciences, Room 204, (619) 594-6638; Cynthia Lewis, adviser.
The predental program is pursued in conjunction with a degree program. Students ordinarily elect to concentrate in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or psychology with a major in one area and selected coursework in the others. Other departmental majors are permissible, however. Predental students should confer with the predental adviser prior to initial registration and at least once each semester regarding their progress, and to obtain approval for their program for the coming semester. Disadvantaged predental students should apply for the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) in Life Sciences, Room 204.
Science requirements. Regardless of the major, predental students should include the following courses in their program: Biology 201, 202, 215, 352, 577, 590; Chemistry 200, 201, 231, 431; Mathematics 121 and 122, or 150; Physics 180A-182A and 180B-182B, or 195, 195L, 196, 196L, 197, 197L; Psychology 101 plus one upper division course in psychology. Each student should consult the major for level of course required when there are alternatives. Biology 250B, Topics in Dentistry, is offered each spring semester and Biology 340A and 340B, Preventive Dentistry, is offered every semester.
Recommended electives. In addition to the courses listed, students should fulfill all requirements for their major and, if possible, take at least one advanced course recommended by their department such as Chemistry 361A, 361B; Biology 350. The students are also expected to obtain information from the preprofessional health advising office regarding the entrance requirements of specific dental schools.
College preparation. High school students planning to enter dentistry should include in their high school program the following subjects: elementary algebra, plane geometry, intermediate algebra, chemistry, physics, two or three years of French, German or Spanish, and four years of English.
Admission. Predental students must realize that the pool of dental applicants has recently increased and the competition for admission to schools of dentistry, particularly at University of California, Los Angeles and University of California, San Francisco is great. The average overall GPA of the entering class of 1995 to UCLA was 3.46 and the science GPA was 3.49.
Aptitude tests given by the American Dental Association should be taken not later than fall term one year before admission. Application to take this test must be made well in advance of the scheduled test date. A pamphlet describing the test, giving dates and places where it will be given, and providing application information is available in the preprofessional health advising office.
The Committee Letter is preferred by most schools of dentistry. It is San Diego State University's formal endorsement of your candidacy. Most schools also require three letters of evaluation, two of which should be from science professors from whom you have taken courses. Evaluation request forms are available in the preprofessional health advising office.
The preprofessional health adviser will be available to high school or transfer students by appointment in June and during the August registration period. All predental students should establish a personal file in Life Sciences, Room 204; 594-6638.
The prelegal program is pursued in conjunction with a degree program. There is no specific prelaw program leading to a bachelor's degree. Students interested in the legal profession should consult with the University prelaw adviser regarding the entrance requirements of the specific law school they hope to attend.
The following curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of standard American schools of law for a broad and liberal education, while at the same time providing desirable flexibility in the individual programs. There are two patterns of concentration which will usually be indicated for the prelegal student, either of which may be selected, in consultation with the adviser, to fit best the interests of the student. These are the major-minor pattern and the liberal studies major pattern. Subject to individual variation, the fields of economics, history, and political science should receive first consideration when choosing the pattern of concentration as being the most effective background for later professional study in law.
The following courses of study are recommended. Lower division: Accountancy 201 and 202, Economics 101 and 102, Political Science 101 and 102, and a year course in history. Upper division: In the junior and senior years students will plan their course with the counsel of their adviser in terms of the field of law in which they plan to work, but keeping in mind the entrance requirements and examinations for admission to schools of law. The following list should receive prime consideration by all prelegal students in the selection of courses, though it is to be thought of as flexible in accordance with student needs. Finance 340; Economics 338, 370; History 545A-545B; Political Science 301A-301B, 346, 347A-347B. Additional: Economics 380, History 536 and 547A-547B, Political Science 348.
In addition to the courses taken in the fields of concentration, upper division electives in English, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and speech communication are recommended. A mastery of English is essential.
Students interested in pursuing a legal career are counseled by the University prelaw adviser. Through this office, prelegal students receive information and advice concerning law school application and admission procedures. Guidance in undergraduate preparation for law study is also available. The University prelaw adviser can be contacted through the Department of Political Science.
The premedical program is pursued in conjunction with a degree program. Students ordinarily elect to concentrate in biology, chemistry, or microbiology, with a major in one area and selected coursework in the others. Other departmental majors are permissible, however. Premedical students should confer with the premedical adviser prior to initial registration and at least once each semester regarding their progress, and to obtain approval for their program for the coming semester. Disadvantaged premedical students should apply for the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) in Life Sciences, Room 204.
Science requirements. Regardless of the major, premedical students should include the following courses in their program: Biology 201, 202, 215, 352, 356, 577 and 590; Chemistry 200, 201, 231, 361A, 361B, 431; Mathematics 121 and 122, or 150; Physics 180A-182A and 180B-182B, or 195, 195L, 196, 196L, 197, 197L. Each student should consult the major for level of course required when there are alternatives. Biology 250A, Topics in Medicine, is offered each fall semester.
Recommended electives. In addition to the courses listed, students must fulfill all requirements for their major and, if possible, take at least one advanced course recommended by their department such as: Biology 350. Psychology 101 is a good elective. Students are also expected to obtain information from the preprofessional health advising office regarding the entrance requirements of specific medical schools.
College preparation. High school students planning to enter medicine should include in their high school program the following subjects: elementary algebra, plane geometry, intermediate algebra, chemistry, physics, two or three years of French, German or Spanish, and four years of English.
Admission. Most medical schools give preference to students with baccalaureate degrees in academic subjects; premedicine is not an academic major. Any major is acceptable to medical schools, and recent research has demonstrated that there is no bias against the nonscience major in the selection process. Nor is there any significant difference between the science and the nonscience major in medical school performance or in eventual selection of residency. The specific requirements for various majors are found in this catalog under department and program headings.
Competition for admission to California medical schools has increased markedly in the past few years. Selection for admission is based on many factors beyond the satisfactory completion of minimum requirements including undergraduate grade point average, MCAT scores, and letters of evaluation. Courses taken to satisfy the science requirements must be taken on a graded basis. The credit/no credit option should be used only sparingly in nonscience courses.
Nearly all medical schools also require applicants to take the MCAT, given early in spring and in August each year. Reservations for this examination must be made at least one month in advance of the scheduled date; application packets are available in the preprofessional health advising office.
The office also has a manual which describes the test and provides practice questions and suggestions for preparing for the test. Applicants are urged to take the test in the spring of the calendar year preceding the year of admission to medical school and not later than the fall term one year before anticipated admission.
The Committee Letter is preferred by most schools of medicine. It is San Diego State University's formal endorsement of your candidacy. Three to five individual letters of evaluation are also generally required by medical schools and used in the selection process. At least two letters should be from science faculty. The importance of these letters cannot be overemphasized. It is strongly recommended that premedical students secure letters from instructors immediately upon finishing courses, and that students see their adviser regularly so that the adviser can write knowledgeable recommendations when needed. Evaluation forms are available in the preprofessional health advising office.
The varying admission requirements of medical schools are listed in the publication Medical School Admission Requirements (available in the Campus Store). Since most students seek admission to an average of twenty medical schools, this book should be consulted during the year of application.
Osteopathic medical schools require basically the same minimum undergraduate program. Most schools also request letters of evaluation from practicing osteopaths.
The preprofessional health adviser will be available to high school or transfer students by appointment in June and during the August registration period. All premedical students should establish a personal file in Life Sciences, Room 204; 594-6638.
The preveterinary program is pursued in conjunction with a degree program. Students ordinarily elect to major in biology. Other departmental majors are permissible, however. Preveterinary students should confer with the preveterinary adviser prior to initial registration and at least once each semester regarding their progress, and to obtain approval for their program for the coming semester. Disadvantaged preveterinary students should apply for the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) in Life Sciences, Room 204.
Science requirements. Regardless of the major, preveterinary students should include the following courses in their program: Biology 201, 202, 215, 352, 577; Chemistry 200, 201, 231, 361A, and 431; Mathematics 121 and 122, or 150 (most veterinary schools do not require calculus); Physics 180A-182A and 180B-182B or 195, 195L; 196, 196L; three semesters of English; three semesters of humanities.
Recommended electives. In addition to the courses listed, students should fulfill all requirements for their major and, if possible, take at least one advanced course recommended by their department such as: Biology 350, 354, 356, 522, 590. Biology 250C, Topics in Veterinary Medicine, is offered each fall semester.
College preparation. High school students planning to enter veterinary medicine should include in their high school program the following subjects: elementary algebra, plane geometry, intermediate algebra, chemistry, physics and four years of English.
Admission. Competition for veterinary school admission continues to be great, with a 4 to 1 ratio of applicants to accepted students at University of California, Davis. All preveterinary students should consider applying to one or more out-of-state schools in addition to UC Davis as most U.S. schools now accept nonresidents. The 1995 UC Davis entering class had the following average statistics: cumulative undergraduate GPA, 3.3; required science coursework GPA, 3.3; last two years of undergraduate work GPA, 3.4; Graduate Record Examina-tion general aptitude test scores-verbal 78%, quantitative 75%, analytical 86%, advanced test in biology 80%.
Admission criteria at UC Davis include the following:
- 1. Academic factors (50%-60%). College undergraduate plus graduate (if applicable) GPA; GPA of required science coursework; GPA of last two years of undergraduate work; Graduate Record Examination.
- 2. Nonacademic factors (40%-50%).
- a. Application narration (5%-20%)
- b. Animal and veterinary science related experience (0%) (See
preveterinary adviser.)
- c. Letters of evaluation (5%-20%)
- d. Interviews (0%-20%)
The Committee Letter is used by most schools of veterinary medicine. It is San Diego State University's formal endorsement of your candidacy. Two or three additional letters from veterinarians and usually science faculty are also generally required and used in the selection process. The importance of these letters cannot be overemphasized.
A publication, Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the United States and Canada is available in the preprofessional health advising office and in the Campus Store.
The preprofessional health adviser will be available to high school or transfer students by appointment in June and during the August registration period. All preveterinary students should establish a personal file in Life Sciences, Room 204; 594-6638.
The allied health professions include chiropractic medicine, dental hygiene, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and podiatric medicine. San Diego State University does not offer specific degree programs in these fields. Pre-physical therapy advising is in the Exercise and Nutritional Sciences Department, PE 331; telephone 594-5161 (Dr. Patricia Patterson or Ronald Josephson).
Prechiropractic Medicine, Prepharmacy, Preoptometry, and Prepodiatric Medicine. Students interested in these fields usually major in biology since this curriculum is most appropriate. Other majors, such as chemistry, may be used; however, students must complete the required courses regardless of which major is chosen. In general, all schools require the same courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics; students should be in contact with the schools of their choice to determine any specific requirements.
Typical Course Requirements for Entrance to a Professional Degree Program in One of the Above Allied Health Professions. Biology 150, 201, 202, 350, 436, 590; Chemistry 200, 201, 231, 431; English 100, 200; Mathematics 121, 122; Physics 180A-180B, 182A-182B; Psychology 101.
Preoccupational Therapy. Students interested in a career in occupational therapy may major in a variety of areas including psychology, art, or biology. There are several schools in California that offer B.S. or M.S. degrees in occupational therapy. Students must complete certain courses required by each school; in general, these include courses in the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences.
Prephysical Therapy. The prephysical therapy curriculum is pursued in conjunction with an academic major. Students ordinarily select a major in Physical Education (specialization in Pre-Physical Therapy) and complete selected coursework in other departments. Another departmental major often selected is biology. Pre-physical therapy students should confer with their departmental adviser prior to initial registration, and at least once each semester regarding their program progress.
Prephysical therapy requirements. Course requirements for entry to physical therapy school vary according to the school. Generally, prephysical therapy students should include the following courses in their program: Biology 150, 201, 202, 336, and 436; Chemistry 200 and 201; Physics 180A-180B, 182A-182B; and Psychology 101, 270, and 350. Information regarding the required courses for specific physical therapy schools is available through the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences. Each student should consult the major adviser for the level of course required when there are alternatives.
Recommended Electives. In addition to the courses listed, students must complete requirements for their major. In order to enhance preparations for physical therapy, professional school students should consider completing one or more of the following courses: Biology 210 and 590; Chemistry 230; Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 303, 304, 307; Mathematics 121; Psychology 330.
Admission: Most physical therapy schools give preference to students with baccalaureate degrees in academic subjects. The accredited physical therapy programs in California and their entrance requirements are available in a handout from the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences. A list of physical therapy schools in other states can be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association in Washington, D.C.
Students are reminded that requirements for admission to physical therapy school are varied. Therefore, the student should consult the above sources and the school(s) of choice at least two years prior to expected application. Students should expect to fulfill the following general requirements for admission: (1) specific course requirements as outlined above, (2) volunteer experience in a hospital or clinical physical therapy program, and (3) satisfactory completion of the GRE examination.
Full programs of professional study in other fields, such as agriculture, forestry, architecture, and theology, are not available at San Diego State University. However, students who may wish to take some undergraduate work in liberal arts at this university can also begin coursework in preparation for such programs. Students are advised to consult the catalog of the university to which they expect to transfer to determine requirements before arranging the program. Further information may be obtained from the Assistant Dean of Students in the appropriate college at San Diego State University.
The purpose of the basic certificate program is to provide individuals whose educational objectives do not require a degree program the opportunity to participate in University academic activities designed to meet specific educational needs.
Ordinarily, credit certificate programs are available to matriculated and nonmatriculated students. Students seeking a certificate must apply for admission according to the guidelines set forth by the individual certificate programs.
Coursework for a basic certificate shall not duplicate in content and level the student's prior educational experience. Unless otherwise stated, a student may apply no more than six units of coursework from a basic certificate program toward a major or minor with the approval of the department.
For a complete listing of certificate programs offered by San Diego State University, refer to the Curricula Summary section of this catalog.
The advanced certificate at the postbaccalaureate entry level provides students a program of coursework leading to a specific applied goal. The general educational background of a bachelor's degree with a major in the appropriate field(s) of study is prerequisite to such a certificate.
For a listing of admission standards and specific certificate requirements,refer to the Graduate Bulletin.
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