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Pre-Professional Programs

Web page
www.nmu.edu/departments/
preprofprog.htm

 

 
 

Pre-Professional Programs

 


Pre-Professional Programs at NMU

Northern Michigan University provides non-degree, pre-professional programs of study. These programs have been developed to prepare students with specific professional goals to meet the admission qualifications of other colleges and universities. Some professional schools require students to complete a baccalaureate degree prior to admission. In some cases students may elect to enter one of Northern Michigan University’s degree programs while still receiving advising toward one of the pre-professional programs. Information about each of the pre-professional programs can be obtained from the department listed below as the administrative and advising department.

 

Program Department

  • Pre-Architecture Art and Design Department

  • Pre-Dentistry Pre-Dental Advisory Board, Physics Department

  • Pre-Engineering Physics Department

  • Pre-Law Political Science and Public Administration Department

  • Pre-Medical Pre-Medical Advisory Board, Physics Department

  • Pre-Optometry Biology Department

  • Pre-Pharmacy Chemistry Department

  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine Biology Department

  • Pre-Architecture

    Students intending to enter an architectural program at another institution may select an academic foundation at Northern Michigan University. Advising is provided by the Art and Design Department.

     

    Pre-Dental

    Students pursuing the pre-dental program are assigned to the pre-dental advisor who assists students in selecting the courses required or recommended for admission into dental school. Students must declare a major sometime during their freshman year. Although the choice of major is not restricted and students should choose a major that will interest them and provide a possible career for them, most pre-dental students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry or chemistry. Such majors not only provide the necessary prerequisites for dental school but also ensure the student has a strong science background.

     

    The university has a Pre-dental Advisory Board that oversees the pre-dental program. This board is made up of practicing dentists and professors. Board members provide information to pre-dental students regarding application procedures, the profession of dentistry, and the Dental Admission Test (DAT).

     

    When a student applies to dental school, the board may write a letter of evaluation that assesses the suitability of the student for the profession of dentistry. This letter is written if a student has been granted a board interview, based on the student’s grade point average and Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores. In writing the letter the board considers such information as Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores, grade point average, letters of reference and responses to questions during the personal interview.

     

    A pre-dental handbook is available from the pre-dental advisor and is also located on the Pre-medical/Pre-dental web page. Students who are interested in this program may contact the Physics Department.

     

    Pre-Engineering

    Students interested in engineering who plan to transfer to an engineering school should contact the Physics Department for program details and assignment of an academic adviser. Northern Michigan University offers courses in several departments that provide the program needs of engineering students, exclusive of professional engineering courses, which comprise the first two years of engineering programs.

     

    Pre-Law

    Students interested in a career in the legal profession should contact the university pre-law adviser in the Political Science and Public Administration Department. The department’s pre-law program, taken in conjunction with other appropriate course work, prepares students for law school.

     

    Pre-Medical

    Students pursuing the premedical program are assigned to the premedical advisor who assists students in selecting the courses required or recommended for admission into medical school. Students must declare a major sometime during their freshman year. Although the choice of major is not restricted and students should choose a major that will interest them and provide a possible career for them, most premedical students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry or chemistry. Such majors not only provide the necessary prerequisites for medical school but also ensure the student has a strong science background.

    The university has a Premedical Advisory Board that oversees the premedical program. This board is made up of practicing physicians and professors. Board members provide information to premedical students regarding application procedures, the profession of medicine, and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

    When a student applies to medical school, the board may write a letter of evaluation that assesses the suitability of the student for the profession of medicine. This letter is written if a student has been granted a board interview, based on the students Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and grade point average. In writing the letter the board considers such information as Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, grade point average, letters of reference and responses to questions during the personal interview.

    A Premedical Handbook is available from the premedical advisor and is also located on the Premedical/Predental Home Page. Students who are interested in this program may contact the Physics Department.

     

    Pre-Optometry

    Pre-optometry students who are residents of Michigan normally plan an academic program of three or more years to meet requirements for admission to the College of Optometry at Ferris State University. Those requirements can be completed at Northern Michigan University, specifically courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, psychology, behavioral science, English and humanities. Pre-professional course requirements for the other American optometry schools can also be completed at Northern Michigan University.

    Students are encouraged to complete a bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University by pursuing a regular major in fields related to optometry, such as biochemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, chemistry and psychology. Students interested in the pre-optometry program should contact an adviser in the Biology Department.

     

    Pre-Pharmacy

    Students wishing to pursue a career in pharmacy must fulfill a six-year doctor of pharmacy program. The first two years’ requirements may be met by majoring in the chemistry program at Northern Michigan University; the latter four years’ requirements must be fulfilled at one of the nation's pharmacy schools. Within Michigan, the doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) is available from Wayne State University, Ferris State University, and the University of Michigan. Another option, the Ph.D. in pharmacy, is also available from Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, but these usually require earning the bachelor’s degree in chemistry or pharmacy first.

     

    The pre-pharmacy program at Northern Michigan University is composed of a tightly structured two year sequence, or a slower paced three year schedule that includes four courses in chemistry, three in biology and additional course work which is dependent upon the intended pharmacy school.

     

    Specific requirements, substitutions, and pharmacy school admission procedures can be explained in detail by an adviser from the Chemistry Department.

     

    Pre-Veterinary Medicine

    Pre-veterinary students who are residents of Michigan normally plan an academic program to meet requirements for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Those requirements can be met at Northern Michigan University, where students take specified courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, college composition, social science and humanities. Students are encouraged to earn a bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University by completing a regular major and minor in such fields as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics or psychology.

     

    Specific advisement information is found in the Pre-veterinary Medicine Handbook, available from the Biology Department. Factors considered in acceptance of students into the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University include legal residency, grade point average of all college course work, grade point average in required prev-eterinary science courses, results of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE), total college course credits completed, average course load per semester, a personal interview, essay, veterinary experience and animal exposure and extracurricular activities. Students interested in the pre-veterinary program should contact an adviser in the Biology Department.

     

     

    Pre-Professional Programs

    Pre-Architecture Program

    EN 111 College Composition I

    4

    EN 211D Technical and Report Writing

    4

    CS 120 Computer Science I

    4

    EC 202 Macroeconomic Principles

    4

    MA 115 Pre-Calculus

    4

    MA 161 Calculus I

    5

    PH 220 Introductory Physics I

    5

    PH 221 Introductory Physics II

    5

    PY 100L Psychology as a Natural Science w/ Lab

    4

    Choose two courses from the following:

    8

    AD 116 Sculpture

     

    AD 129 Environmental Design Image Basis

     

    AD 229 Environmental Design Physical Basis

     

    Choose two courses from the following:

    8

    AD 260 Why America Looks This Way

     

    AD 265 Art and Architecture of Japan

     

    AD 355 Twentieth Century Art and Architecture

     

     

    Beyond the course and distribution requirements specified above, students may freely select other courses to earn a total of 60 minimum (64 recommended) credit hours.  Since the emphasis in pre-professional studies is on liberal arts, not more than 7 credits in nonacademic or technical areas can be applied toward the 60 credit requirement.

     

    Pre-Dental Program

    EN 111 College Composition I

    4

    EN 211D Technical and Report Writing

    4

    Humanities Electives

    8

    Social Science Electives

    8

    BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles*

    4

    BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity*

    4

    BI 312 Genetics

    4

    BI 313 Cell Biology or

    4-5

    BI 202 Human Physiology (5 cr.) or

     

    BI 222 Animal Physiology or

     

    BI 431 Plant Physiology

     

    BI 303 General Microbiology

    5

    CH 111 General Chemistry I*

    5

    CH 112 General Chemistry II*

    5

    CH 321 Organic Chemistry I*

    4

    CH 322 Organic Chemistry II*

    4

    CH 450 Introductory Biochemistry

    4

    PH 201 College Physics I* and

    5

    PH 202 College Physics II* or

    5

    PH 220 Introductory Physics I* and

     

    PH 221 Introductory Physics II*

     

     

    *These courses are to be completed in addition to those required for any particular major.  Students majoring in biology/physiology, chemistry, or biochemistry will be taking most of these courses in their major.  The remaining courses listed are recommended.

     

    Pre-Engineering Program

    EN 111 College Composition I

    4

    EN 211D Technical and Report Writing

    4

    Humanities Electives*

    8

    Social Science Electives*

    8

    CH 111 General Chemistry I

    5

    CH 112 General Chemistry II

    5

    CS 120 Programming I

    4

    MA 161 Calculus I

    5

    MA 163 Calculus II

    4

    MA 211 Introduction to Matrix Theory and Linear Algebra

    3

    MA 361 Differential Equations

    3

    PH 220 Introductory Physics I

    5

    PH 221 Introductory Physics II

    5

     

    *Select humanities and social science electives from the liberal studies listing.

     

    Pre-Law Program

    Students should contact the pre-law advisor in the Political Science Department and generally follow the pre-law major.

     

    Pre-Medical Program

    The recommended courses for students interested in medical careers are the same as the courses recommended for students interested in dental careers.

     

    Pre-Optometry Program

    EN 111 College Composition I

    4

    EN 211 College Composition II

    4

    Humanities Elective

    4

    BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles

    4

    BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity

    4

    BI 201 Human Anatomy

    3

    BI 202 Human Physiology

    5

    BI 203 Medical Microbiology

    5

    CH 111 General Chemistry I

    5

    CH 112 General Chemistry II

    5

    CH 321 Organic Chemistry I

    4

    CH 322 Organic Chemistry II

    4

    CH 450 Introductory Biochemistry

    4

    MA 115 Pre-Calculus

    4

    MA 161 Calculus I

    5

    MA 171 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

    4

    PH 201 College Physics I and

    5

    PH 202 College Physics II or

    5

    PH 220 Introductory Physics I and

     

    PH 221 Introductory Physics II

     

    MGT 240 Organizational Behavior and Management

    3

    PY 100 S/L Psychology as a Natural Science

    4

    ACT 201 Practical Accounting Procedures or

    3-4

    ACT 230 Principles of Accounting I (3 cr.)

     

     

     

    Pre-Pharmacy Program

    EN 111 College Composition I

    4

    BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles

    4

    BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity

    4

    BI 203 Medical Microbiology

    5

    CH 111 General Chemistry I

    5

    CH 112 General Chemistry II

    5

    CH 321 Organic Chemistry I

    4

    CH 322 Organic Chemistry II

    4

    MA 161 Calculus I

    5

    Additional course work*

    29

     

    *Additional course work is dependent upon the intended pharmacy school.

     

    Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program

    EN 111 College Composition I

    4

    EN 211 College Composition II

    4

    Humanities Electives*

    8

    Social Science Electives*

    8

    BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles

    4

    BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity

    4

    CH 111 General Chemistry I

    5

    CH 112 General Chemistry II

    5

    CH 321 Organic Chemistry I

    4

    CH 322 Organic Chemistry II

    4

    CH 450 Introductory Biochemistry

    4

    MA 105 College Algebra

    4

    Choose one course from the following:

    3-4

    MA 106 Trigonometry (3 cr.)

     

    MA 115 Pre-Calculus (4 cr.)

     

    MA 161 Calculus I

    5

    PH 201 College Physics I and

    5

    PH 202 College Physics II or

    5

    PH 220 Introductory Physics I and

     

    PH 221 Introductory Physics II

     

     

    *Select humanities and social science electives from the liberal studies listing.

     

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    ©2003 by the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University
    Page created by: Kimber Olli of Northern Michigan University
    Northern Michigan University is an AA/EO Institution.

    Northern is Michigan's only participant in IBM's ThinkPad University Program. ThinkPad is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

    Last Updated: Thursday, July 10, 2003