The Program
The pre-health science program is designed to provide students with a wide
range of opportunities that will help them prepare for a career in health science.
Personal Attention from a Pre-Health Science Advisor
Each specific health science discipline is the responsibility of an informed faculty
member of the Health Science Advisory Committee. These faculty member sassist
and advise tudents in the areas of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physical
therapy, and other allied health fields. A list of committee members is on the
first inside page of this brochure.
Internship Program
The internship program links pre-health science students with professionals in
the Laurens County area. Students apply to the program and then are connected
with a health professional in the student’s chosen field. Internships are
strongly encouraged, especially in the areas of medicine and physical therapy.
A limited amount of college credit may be earned for a health science internship.
Tours of Regional Medical Schools
Presbyterian College maintains close contact with regional medical schools. Each
year tours of those facilities are arranged. Students can see first-hand the different
schools and meet with doctors and administrators from those institutions.
On-Campus Visits by Regional Medical Schools
Presbyterian College is a frequent stop for both faculty and administrators from
such regional medical schools as the Medical University of South Carolina, the
University of South Carolina School of Medicine, and the Medical College of Georgia.
These visits provide PC students with an opportunity to learn about the different
medical schools and to meet professionals from those schools.
|
 |
The Fields
> Doctor
of Medicine
> Dental Medicine
> Nursing
> Pharmacy
> Physical Therapy
> Physician
Assistant
> Other Programs
Registration Packages and Application Service Packages
Advisors supply students with the forms necessary to register for such entrance
examinations as the MCAT, DAT, and VCAT, as well as to apply to medical and dental
schools.
Medical School Acceptance History
Presbyterian College has an excellent acceptance rate for student applications
to health science programs. During the 2001-02 academic year 11 applications were
filed and 7 were accepted to the programs of their choice.
General Program Information
Of the entering class of health science students, 87% are interested in medicine.
Although not required to choose any specific area of concentration of study, the
majority of health science students major in biology. Other popular majors include
chemistry and psychology.
Presbyterian College offers opportunities for preparation for the Medical College
Admissions Test (MCAT) through highly-rated MCAT preparation software and a mock
MCAT given by the Kaplan Educational organization. |
Doctor of
Medicine
The Profession
Physicians are involved in all facets of medicine according to their chosen field
of specialization. Primary care physicians have broad-based practice and are usually
the first to see a patient. In most cases they can deliver the necessary care
and refer patients to a specialist only when needed. Specialists range over the
entire spectrum of human diseases and address specific problems pertaining to
the area of specialization.
Career Options
Solo practice, group practice, practice in an academic institution, or hospital-based
practice.
Salary Information
Physician’s/surgeon’s annual mean salary: $138,105 |
|
| Course Requirements
- Doctor of Medicine |
| General Biology w/Lab |
8 |
Biochemistry |
4** |
| General Chemistry w/ Lab |
8 |
Cell Biology |
4** |
| Organic Chemistry |
8* |
Microbiology |
4** |
| General Physics with Lab |
8 |
Physiology |
4** |
| Mathematics |
6 |
English |
6 |
| Anatomy |
4** |
|
|
*) Required by most medical schools
**) Recommended for MCAT and for first year of medical school English |
|
Dental Medicine
The Profession
Dentists are involved in the total oral health care of patients. Primary care
is usually given by someone who practices general dentistry or pediatric dentistry.
To practice a speciality, an additional two to four years of training are required.
Dental medicine specialities include oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics,
orthodontics, oral pathology, and public health.
Career Options
Solo and group practices, public health dentistry, education, administration,
and career opportunities in the military.
Salary Information
Dentist’s annual mean salary: $102,807 |
|
| Course Requirements
- Dental Medicine |
| General Biology w/Lab |
8 |
General Physics with Lab |
8 |
| General Chemistry w/ Lab |
8 |
Mathematics |
6 |
| Organic Chemistry |
8 |
English |
6 |
| note: these are undergraduate degree requirements |
|
Pharmacy
The Profession
Pharmacists act as drug consultants to both patients and physicians. They also
act as the primary custodians of drugs for the protection of public health. Pharmacists
give advice to patients on both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Doctors
of pharmacy aid in actual drug therapy with patients and serve on the primary
care teams for patients.
Career Options
Community, hospital, or industrial pharmacy, pharmaceutical sales and industry,
research, academia, law enforcement, management.
Salary Information
Pharmacist’s annual mean salary: $65,731 |
|
PC students would complete their undergraduate degree at Presbyterian College
and then apply to a regional pharmacy school for their doctorate program.
The courses below provide a guide for preparing for the doctoral program in pharmacy.
| Course Requirements
- Pharmacy |
| General Biology w/Lab |
8 |
Mathematics |
6* |
| General Chemistry w/ Lab |
8 |
Statistics |
3 |
| Organic Chemistry |
8 |
English |
6 |
| General Physics with Lab |
8 |
History |
6 |
| *) Three hours must be in calculus |
|
Nursing
The Profession
Nurses are in high demand due to the increasing complexity and growth of the health
care system. Nurses are now required to be technically competent and well-informed
about medical methods and procedures. Due to the direct and constant contact with
patients and interaction with other health professionals, nurses need good interpersonal
and communication skills.
Career Options
Hospitals, home health care, hospice, nursing homes, industry, free-standing nursing
units, and independent practice.
Salary Information
Nurse’s annual mean salary: $45,702
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|
Students who are interested in nursing have two options. They can complete
their pre-nursing requirements at PC and, after two years, transfer to a school
that grants a bachelor of science in nursing to complete their training.
Alternatively, students can complete a four year degree at PC, and then begin
an accelerated masters in nursing graduate program at the Medical University of
South Carolina.
| Course Requirements
- Nursing |
| General Biology w/Lab |
8 |
Statistics |
3 |
| General Chemistry w/ Lab |
8 |
Intro Psychology |
3 |
| Anatomy |
4* |
Child Psychology |
3 |
| Physiology |
4 |
Social Sci. & Humanities Electives |
15 |
| English |
6 |
Microbiology |
4 |
| *)Human Anatomy preferred; Comparative Vertebrate
Anatomy acceptable |
|
Physical
Therapy
The Profession
Current physical therapy practice can be described in seven major domains: planning
of services, consultation, implementation of patient care services, educational
services, clinical research, administrative services, and quality assurance programs.
Most of the regional medical schools have gone to master level degrees only, so
PC students would finish their undergraduate degrees and then apply.
Career Options
Nursing homes, extended care facilities, public health agencies, community health
agencies, health maintenance organizations, public schools, institutions for the
mentally retarded, out-patient screening and treatment centers, private offices,
non-traditional settings, and clinical research.
Salary Information
Physical therapist’s annual mean salary: $57,514 |
|
| Course Requirements
- Physical Therapy |
| General Biology w/Lab |
8 |
English |
6 |
| General Chemistry w/ Lab |
8 |
Statistics |
3 |
| General Physics with Lab |
8 |
Mathematics |
3 |
| Anatomy |
4* |
Social Science |
3 |
| Intro Psychology |
3 |
Child Psychology |
3 |
| *) Human Anatomy preferred; Comparative Vertebrate
Anatomy acceptable |
|
Physician
Assistant
The Profession
Physician assistants work with physicians and other health care professionals.
Physician assistants take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order
and interpret laboratory results and assess and treat common illnesses. Physician
assistants also counsel and educate patients.
Career Options
Physician assistant is an expanding profession in health care with employment
in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and educational facilities.
Salary Information
Physician assistant’s annual mean salary: $69,520
|
|
| Course Requirements
- Physician Assistant |
| General Biology w/Lab |
8 |
Humanities |
9 |
| General Chemistry w/ Lab |
8 |
Physiology |
4 |
| Mathematics |
3 |
Social Sciences
|
9 |
| Microbiology |
4 |
(must include Intro Psych) |
| English |
6 |
Other Science Electives |
9** |
| Anatomy |
4* |
|
|
*) Human Anatomy preferred; Comparative Vertebrate
Cnatomy acceptable
**) Specific science electives dependent on school of interiest |
|
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