Office of Academic Advising
364 Oregon Hall
541.346.3211

Prepare for the Health Professions

Pre-Health Science Core Courses for First-Term Freshmen

These programs are recommended for most pre-professional programs in dental hygiene, dentistry, medicine (allopathic, chiropractic, naturopathic, osteopathic), medical technology, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. If you are unsure of what direction you might take but are interested in a health career, follow this path to prepare yourself for a variety of health professions.

Option I		Option II
CH 221		CH 224
CH 227 (lab)		CH 237 (lab)
MATH 111 (or higher)		MATH 251 (or higher)
1 or 2 other courses		1 or 2 other courses

The chemistry courses listed above are year long sequences that start fall term and run through the spring (some courses are also available during the summer.)
Students are eligible to enroll in Math 111 if they earn an SATM score of 550 or above or an ACTM score of 25 or above. Students may also qualify to enroll in Math 111 by taking the standard math placement test. Students may qualify to enroll in MATH 251 by taking the advanced math placement test (offered at New Student Orientation or by the Testing Center).
Students who place below Math 111 are advised to take the appropriate math courses their first year and take the chemistry sequence the following summer or second year.
Students with no prior chemistry experience are advised to take CH 111 summer term in preparation for the chemistry sequence in fall term.
Many students in the above options will begin their biology winter term with BI 211 General Biology I: Cells or begin biology in their second year with BI 251 Foundations I: Biochemistry and Cell Physiology (which must be taken concurrently with organic chemistry).

Preparing for Health Professions

Please click on a primary field to pull up a PDF file of our pamphlet.

YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM AN ADVISER WHEN PLANNING YOUR PRE-HEALTH COURSEWORK. COURSE REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND SHOULD BE VERIFIED WITH AN ADVISER OR WITH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.

Primary Fields	Pre-Prof. Training	Prof. Training	Notes
Dentistry	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Medicine (MD, DO, DC, ND)	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
*Medical Technology	3 years + 1 summer	1 year
Nursing	2-4 years	1-2 years	Not all courses available on UO campus.
Occupational Therapy	4 years	2 years min.	Programs vary considerably.
Optometry	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Pharmacy	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Physical Therapy	4 years	2 years min.	Programs vary considerably.
Physician Assistant	3-4 years	2 years	Health care experience required. Most complete baccalaureate degrees.
Podiatry	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.
Veterinary Medicine	3-4 years	4 years	Most complete baccalaureate degree.

*We do not have a PDF file for Medical Technology. Please come to the Pre-Health Sciences Resource Center in 364 Oregon Hall.

Prepare for the Health Professions

Pre-Health Science Core Courses for First-Term Freshmen

Preparing for Health Professions

State/Regional Educational Sites

DENTISTRY

MEDICINE

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

NURSING

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

OPTOMETRY

PHARMACY

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

PHYSICAL THERAPY

PODIATRY

VETERINARY MEDICINE