Science, Health Science Concentration, Pre-Occupational Therapy Curriculum, B.S.

The following curriculum is proposed for students planning to enter the occupational therapy program at the College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Tennessee-Memphis. The program requires three (3) years of study (90 semester hours) at MTSU followed by two calendar years at UT-Memphis. While a bachelor’s degree is not required, students are encouraged to obtain a bachelor’s degree before attending the occupational therapy program at UT-Memphis. Successful completion of the program will entitle the student to receive a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy granted by UT-Memphis.

Students who plan to apply for admission to other schools of occupational therapy should consult with their advisors.

Major in Science

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.

Health Science Concentration

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.

Recommended Curriculum

Freshman

BIOL 1110 - General Biology 4 credit hours AND
BIOL 1111 - General Biology Lab 0 credit hours
BIOL 1120 - General Biology 4 credit hours AND
BIOL 1121 - General Biology Lab 0 credit hours
ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
Social Sciences elective 3 credit hours
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I 4 credit hours * AND
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab 0 credit hours *
PSY 1410 - General Psychology 3 credit hours
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 credit hours (Comm)
Elective 3 credit hours **

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Sophomore

BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credit hours AND
BIOL 2011 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab 0 credit hours
BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credit hours AND
BIOL 2021 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab 0 credit hours
PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics I 0 credit hours AND
PHYS 2011 - Physics Problems Laboratory I 4 credit hours
SOC 1010 - Introductory Sociology 3 credit hours
CSCI 1150 - Computer Orientation 3 credit hours
PSY 2300 - Developmental Psychology 3 credit hours
PSY 3230 - Abnormal Psychology 3 credit hours
HUM 2130 - Medical Vocabulary 3 credit hours
ANTH 2010 - Cultural Anthropology 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Junior

HUM 2130 - Medical Vocabulary 3 credit hours
PSY 3020 - Basic Statistics for Behavioral Science 3 credit hours
Humanities elective (note) 9 credit hours
Electives 15 credit hours **

Subtotal: 30 Hours

NOTE:

Ninety semester hours must be completed prior to matriculation to include additional hours from ANTH (3), Social Sciences (3), and 9 hours of humanities.

*Students with a weak background in chemistry should take CHEM 1010 /CHEM 1011 before taking CHEM 1110 /CHEM 1111 .

**Recommended electives: computer/technology skills, kinesiology, education, technical or critical writing, fine and performing arts, language and communication systems, philosophy, and up to 4 hours in activity-based courses (e.g., photography).