Preparing for a Career in the Health Professions

Colgate's strong traditions in pre-medical, pre-dental and pre-veterinary education has been achieved within the broad framework of the liberal arts. The sequence of courses described below is considered to be the standard preparation for entering medical, dental and veterinary schools and related professional programs such as podiatry, osteopathy, optometry, and physical therapy.

Although specific requirements for courses vary among professional schools, most require two laboratory courses in animal or cellular biology, one year of inorganic and one of organic chemistry, one year of physics, and one year of English. A year in mathematics is also usually required. Individual schools may have special requirements in areas such as psychology or social sciences. At Colgate minimum requirements are usually met through Biology 212 and one additional laboratory course in animal or cellular biology, Chemistry 101-102 and 263-264, Physics 111-112 or 121-122, Mathematics 111-112 OR one term of calculus and one term of statistics, and two courses in text-based English or writing composition courses. Please note that AP Credits will not count towards pre-med requirements. Students interested in specific medical schools should consult Medical School Admission Requirements, an annual publication of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Copies are available for browsing in the Health Sciences Office, as well as information on how to order your own copy.

Colgate offers off-campus academic programs that have science components through the National Institutes of Health, Wales, and Australia study groups. In addition, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute has supported development of research activities and facilities for molecular biology students at Colgate as well as the college's Science/Mathematics Initiative (SMI).

Health care experience is a very important part of pursuing a career in the health professions. The Health Sciences Office offers a program of internships with local physicians during the academic year. Career Services also provides information and assistance in obtaining internships during the summer.