Pre-Med Biology Program in Illinois | ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ
ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ Biology graduates have averaged 85% placement into their professional school of choice over the past five years. That number includes students who went on to medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, physical therapy programs, physician assistant programs, and other health professions.
The Biology B.S. curriculum is built around the prerequisite coursework required by every health profession program, with a faculty advisor who works with each student each semester to sequence courses correctly for their specific target program.
Illinois students who know medical school is the goal can lock in that seat earlier than most. ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ offers dual acceptance agreements with for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, and podiatric medicine, allowing qualified high school seniors to secure admission to professional school before they begin their undergraduate studies.
What the Pre-Med Track Covers
The Biology B.S. at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ is structured around the science prerequisites required by medical and health professional schools across the board.
First-year coursework includes General Biology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, and Calculus I. The second year moves into Organic Chemistry I , Genetics, and Microbiology.
Upper-division coursework builds on that foundation with courses specific to each student's target program. Coursework Includes Biochemistry, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, and Molecular Cell Biology.
Students who want to enter the pre-professional track, covering medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, chiropractic, and optometry, need a minimum 3.25 overall GPA and a 3.25 science GPA. Students who enter ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ without that GPA can work toward it in the Biology program before applying to the pre-professional track.
Faculty advisors meet with students before every registration period, not just once a year. The goal is to ensure that every course taken at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ applies toward the professional school requirements the student is pursuing.
Dual Acceptance Programs
ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ has formal dual acceptance agreements with several professional schools. These programs are designed to remove the uncertainty from the application process for students who meet the requirements early.
LECOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine)
 Available for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (4+4), Doctor of Dental Medicine (4+4), Doctor of Pharmacy (4+4 and 4+3), and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (4+4). High school seniors must apply by December of their senior year.
Students accepted into the program must maintain a 3.5 GPA at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ and meet the required score on the relevant professional school entrance exam to secure their seat.
Midwestern University Doctor of Optometry Program
ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ offers high school seniors a unique dual admittance opportunity to simultaneously enroll in both undergraduate studies at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ and optometry school at Chicago College of Optometry – Midwestern University in Downers Grove.
Chicago College of Pharmacy (2+4)
Qualified ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ students apply to in their senior year of high school. Students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA and 2.5 science GPA. All prerequisite coursework must be completed at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ within two years of acceptance into the program.
Early Assurance Pathway. Doctor of Physical Therapy
Students complete 3.5 years of Biology coursework at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ, with the first semester of DPT coursework counting toward both the ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ Biology degree and the start of the doctoral program.
Total time to the DPT: 6 years.
View all Dual
Acceptance Programs
Already Have a Bachelor's Degree?
Students who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-science field and need the prerequisite coursework to apply to health professional schools have a separate pathway at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ University: the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Professions Program in Biomedical Sciences.
It covers the same core science prerequisites in a format designed for students applying to medical, dental, pharmacy, PA, or other health professions programs.
The program leads to either a Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Science or a post-secondary certificate, depending on the number of credit hours completed.
Career Outcomes
ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ Biology graduates go on to medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, PA programs, physical therapy programs, optometry, chiropractic, veterinary medicine, and direct healthcare employment.
The 85% professional school placement rate reflects the rate for students who completed the full pre-professional track. Students who do not gain admission to their first-choice program on the first application cycle still graduate with a Biology B.S. that qualifies them for a range of positions in healthcare, research, and laboratory science.
FAQs
Can I guarantee a seat in medical school before I start at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ?
Yes, through the dual acceptance program with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).
High school seniors who apply by December of their senior year and meet the eligibility requirements can receive provisional acceptance to LECOM's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine programs before they begin undergraduate coursework at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ.
To secure that seat, students must maintain a 3.5 GPA at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ and achieve the required score on the relevant professional school entrance exam.
What GPA do I need to enter the pre-professional track?
A minimum 3.25 overall GPA and 3.25 science GPA are required to be admitted into the pre-professional programs at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ University, which cover medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, chiropractic, optometry, and veterinary medicine.
Students who enter ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ without that GPA can work toward it in the Biology program before applying to the pre-professional track.
What courses does the pre-med track require in the first two years?
Thecovers General Biology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, and Calculus I. The second year moves into Organic Chemistry I and II, Genetics, and Microbiology. Upper-division coursework in years three and four is sequenced by a faculty advisor based on each student's specific target program.
What if I apply to medical school and don't get in?
Students who complete the Biology B.S. graduate with a science degree that qualifies them for a range of positions in healthcare, laboratory science, and research. Many students reapply to professional schools in a subsequent cycle.
The ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Professions Program is also available for students who need to strengthen their application before reapplying.
I already have a bachelor's degree. Can I still pursue pre-med at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ?
Yes. The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Professions Program in Biomedical Sciences is designed for people who hold a bachelor's degree but have not completed the science prerequisite coursework required by health professional schools.
It leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Science or a post-secondary certificate, depending on the number of credit hours completed.
How long does the pre-med track take?
The Biology B.S. is a four-year program. Professional school follows: medical school is typically 4 years; dental school is 3 to 4 years; pharmacy is 3 to 4 years, depending on the LECOM track; and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Early Assurance Pathway takes 2.5 years after 3.5 years at ÃÛÑ¿ÊÓƵ.
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