(Including optometry, osteopathy, physician assistant, or podiatry)
Department of Chemistry
The major in Science has two concentrations—General Science and Health Science. A minimum of 9 semester hours of upper-division courses in either concentration of the Science major must be taken at MTSU. The Science major requires only one minor which must include at least 3 semester hours at the upper-division level taken at MTSU.
The Health Science concentration is for students who expect to enter a professional school after completing an appropriate pre-professional curriculum. There are three groups of programs. One group leads to an MTSU degree through completion of three years of the program at MTSU, acceptance into a professional school, and successful completion of one year. These programs are referred to as three-and-one programs and result in a bachelor’s degree in science from MTSU with a health science concentration. Some programs listed under health science are designed for transfer only and do not lead to a degree from MTSU while other programs require completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to entrance.
Admission to the MTSU pre-professional program does not assure admission to a professional program. In the beginning of the third year, the student should make application to the program of choice, following the procedures of the particular program. Selection for admission is competitive and is made by the admissions committee of the respective program according to its selection standards.
The limits on class size in most of the professional programs may prevent acceptance of some qualified applicants. In the event a first application is unsuccessful, the program may be easily changed to a Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Biology major leading to a B.S. degree, and then application may be made a second time.
Students should note the following:
Chemistry—Students with a weak background or no high school chemistry should enroll in CHEM 1010 /CHEM 1011 before taking CHEM 1110 /CHEM 1111 .
Irregularities—Advanced placement, remedial courses, failure of required courses, or summer school may cause some students to deviate from the sequence in the recommended curriculum. Regular consultation with the advisor is most important.
Advisors—Advisors to these programs are assigned in the Clara W. Todd Pre-professional Health Science Advising Center located in the Chemistry Department. The advisor will provide a curriculum sheet as a guide for the program. Guidance is provided on the recommended courses and procedures to be followed in leading to applications to a professional program. A pre-professional evaluation committee aids the students in providing recommendations requested by the professional programs.
Degree from MTSU—Students who plan to obtain degrees from MTSU must file the Intent to Graduate Form.
