PREPROFESSIONAL HEALTH STUDIES
Non-degree

The health professions need individuals with a diversity of educational backgrounds and a wide variety of talents and interests. The philosophies of education, the specific preprofessional course requirements, the noncognitive qualifications for enrollment, and the systems of training vary among the professional health schools; but all recognize the desirability of a broad educationa good foundation in the natural sciences, highly developed communication skills, and a solid background in the humanities and social sciences. The absolute requirements for admission to professional health schools are limited to allow latitude for developing individualized undergraduate programs of study; however, most schools of medicine and dentistry require 16 semester hours of chemistry, including organic chemistry, eight hours of biological sciences, eight hours of physics, and at least one course in calculus. These requirements should be balanced with courses in vocabulary building, the humanities, and social sciences. The basic requirements in the natural sciences and as many of the courses in the humanities and social sciences as possible should be completed by the third year so that the student will be prepared to take the Dental Admission Test or the Medical College Admission Test prior to applying to a professional school.

Undergraduates may also prepare to study optometry, podiatry, and other health professions. While the basic requirements for these professional schools are essentially the same as those for schools of medicine and dentistry, specific requirements for individual schools in these professions vary somewhat; consequently, interested students are advised to consult with the chief health professionals advisor.

At Clemson, rather than having a separate, organized preprofessional health study program, students are allowed to major in any curriculum, as long as the basic entrance requirements of the professional health school are fulfilled. These schools are not as concerned about a student's major as they are about academic performance whichever curriculum he or she chooses. Professional health schools have neither preferences nor prejudices concerning any curriculum, which is evidenced by the fact that their entering students represent a broad spectrum of curricula. The emphasis is placed on the student's doing well in the curriculum chosen, and this becomes critical as competition increases for the limited number of places available in professional health schools.

PREALLIED HEALTH

(See Prerehabilitation Sciences.)

PREOCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

(See Prerehabilitation Sciences.)

PREPHARMACY

Prepharmacy is a two-year program requiring a minimum of 68 semester hours. Upon completion of the curriculum, students will be eligible to apply to a college of pharmacy, usually the Medical University of South Carolina or the University of South Carolina. The degree in Pharmacy is awarded by the institution attended. It is important for students to work closely with their advisor as there are variations in courses required by the pharmacy schools.

For financial aid purposes, students in the Prephar-macy program are considered to be enrolled in a degree-seeking program.

First Year

First Semester
4 - BIOL 103 General Biology I
4 - CH 101 General Chemistry
3 - ENGL 101 Composition I
3 - MTHSC 101 Introduction to Probability¹ or 3 - HIST 365 English Cultural History²
3 - PSYCH 201 Introduction to Psychology
17

Second Semester
4 - BIOL 104 General Biology II
4 - CH 102 General Chemistry
3 - ECON 200 Economic Concepts
3 - ENGL 102 Composition II
4 - MTHSC 106 Calculus of One Variable or 3 - MTHSC 102 Intro. to Math. Analysis
17-18

Second Year

First Semester
3 - CH 223 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 227 Organic Chemistry Lab.
4 - MICRO 305 General Microbiology or 3-4 - Physiology Requirement³
4 - PHYS 207 General Physics I
3 - Fine Arts Requirement⁴
4 - Foreign Language Requirement or 3 - Liberal Arts Requirement⁵
17-19

Second Semester
3 - CH 224 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 228 Organic Chemistry Lab.
3 - MTHSC 301 Stat. Theory and Methods I or 3 - EX ST 301 Introductory Statistics
4 - PHYS 208 General Physics II
3 - SPCH 150 Intro. to Speech Communication
4 - Foreign Language Requirement or 3 - Liberal Arts Requirement⁵
17-18

68-72 Total Semester Hours

¹Chemistry requires proficiency in algebra; physics requires proficiency in trigonometry; therefore, entering freshmen must present a score of 520 or above on the Mathematics Achievement Test, Level II or register in the first semester in MTHSC 105.

²The Medical University of South Carolina requires a math course. The University of South Carolina requires a history course. To be eligible for both professional schools, the course not taken this semester must be taken during a summer term.

³The Medical University of South Carolina requires MICRO 305. The University of South Carolina requires a physiology course. To be eligible for both professional schools, the course not taken this semester must be taken during a summer term.

⁴See advisor.

⁵The University of South Carolina requires credit for two semesters of a foreign language or exemption by examination. Students exempting the foreign language must take a liberal arts requirement. Either the foreign language or the liberal arts requirement meets the Medical University of South Carolina requirement.

PREPHYSICAL THERAPY

(See Prerehabilitation Sciences.)

PREPHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM

(See Prerehabilitation Sciences.)

PREREHABILITATION SCIENCES

Prerehabilitation Sciences includes concentrations in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and allied health areas. This curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the rehabilitation medicine programs at the Medical University of South Carolina and other professional schools. This program requires a minimum of 68-90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework depending on the concentration. In addition, students must apply to a professional school for acceptance into its program.

Because preparation of some of the concentrations requires three years, students are advised to select a major with similar requirements after consultation with the Prerehabilitation Sciences advisor. The following curriculum fulfills the general requirements for those fields, requiring only two years of prerequisites. The Prephysical Therapy and Preoccupational Therapy concentrations require an additional year of electives. These electives should be chosen after consultation with the advisor. Professional schools may change their requirements at any time, so it is imperative that students in this major stay in close contact with their advisor.

For financial aid purposes, students in the Prerehabilitation Sciences program are considered to be enrolled in a degree-seeking program.

First Year

First Semester
4 - BIOL 103 General Biology I
4 - CH 101 General Chemistry
3 - ENGL 101 Composition I
3 - PSYCH 201 Introduction to Psychology
3-4 - Mathematical Sciences Requirement^1,2
17-18

Second Semester
4 - BIOL 104 General Biology II
4 - CH 102 General Chemistry
3 - ENGL 102 Composition II
3 - Humanities Requirement³
3 - Mathematical Sciences Requirement^1,2
17

Second Year

First Semester
4 - BIOSC 222 Human Anatomy and Phys. I
4 - PHYS 207 General Physics I
3 - PSYCH 340 Lifespan Developmental Psych.
3 - Humanities Requirement³
3 - Literature Requirement⁴
17

Second Semester
4 - BIOSC 223 Human Anatomy and Phys. II
3 - CP SC 120 Issues in Computers
3 - HIST 365 English Cultural History
4 - PHYS 208 General Physics II
3 - SPCH 150 Intro. to Speech Communication
17

Third Year⁵

68-90 Total Semester Hours

¹Chemistry requires proficiency in algebra; physics requires proficiency in trigonometry; therefore, entering freshmen must present a score of 520 or above on the Mathematics Achievement Test, Level II or register in the first semester for MTHSC 105.

²Students scoring 520 or better on the Mathematics Achievement Test, Level II take MTHSC 106 and EX ST 301 or MTHSC 301; those scoring less than 520 but better than 450 will take MTHSC 101 and EX ST 301 or MTHSC 102 and 301.

³See General Education Requirements.

⁴ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, or H210.

⁵Currently only the Prephysical Therapy and Preoccupational Therapy concentrations require a third year. Although any credit course may satisfy the requirements for the third year, students are advised to select courses in consultation with the advisor to satisfy General Education Requirements.

PREVETERINARY MEDICINE

Under a regional plan, the South Carolina Prevet-erinary Advisory Committee coordinates a program for South Carolina residents who are interested in pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. South Carolina residents attending any college or university may apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Currently the University of Georgia admits up to 17 students each year through arrangements with the Southern Regional Education Board. The State of South Carolina also has a contract with Tuskegee University to admit up to four South Carolina residents. Application must be made directly to Tuskegee University.

Minimum requirements for admission to a college of veterinary medicine generally include the satisfactory completion of prescribed courses in a well-rounded undergraduate degree program. Specific requirements for admission to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine include the following undergraduate courses: six credits of English, 14 credits of humanities and social studies, ten of physics, seven of general biology, seven credits of advanced biology, three credits of biochemistry and 14 credits of organic and inorganic chemistry. (Chemistry and physics courses must be at the premedical level; they may not be survey courses.)

To be in the best competitive position, applicants should complete courses in animal agriculture, genetics, nutrition, biochemistry, and advanced biology. Considerations for selection are character, scholastic achievement, personality, experience with large and small animals, general knowledge, and motivation. In the past, competition has been keen, and only those applicants who have shown exceptional ability have been admitted. Specific considerations may include a minimal grade-point average and completion of standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination and the Veterinary College Admission Test.

Since out-of-state students attending Clemson are ineligible to apply to the University of Georgia or Tuskegee University under the South Carolina quota, they should contact the college(s) of veterinary medicine to which they plan to apply. They may apply at the University of Georgia for at-large admission.

Veterinary schools accept students with a broad range of academic backgrounds; therefore, it is recommended that the beginning university student select any undergraduate major and simultaneously complete the courses required for veterinary school entrance and those required for completion of a BS or BA degree. For students selecting Animal and Veterinary Sciences or Biological Sciences at Clemson University, the basic curricula have been designed to accommodate Georgia's entrance requirements. For further information, contact the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at (864) 656-3427.