Medicine and Allied Fields

For more information on these programs, visit the Biology and Chemistry departments.Schools of dentistry, medicine and allied fields recognize the importance of a broad education - a strong foundation in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics), highly developed communication skills, and a solid background in the social sciences and humanities. Most applicants for professional schools have majored in one of the sciences; however, a student may select a major from any discipline that represents a field of personal interest in which high academic achievement can be realized while at the same time completing required science courses. Such qualities as leadership, dedication, and diversity of interests should be developed during a pre-professional program.Pre-Medicine/Pre-DentistryMedical and dental schools designate certain required courses as prerequisites for admission, among which are eight to 20 credit hours of biology, 16 to 20 hours of chemistry, four to eight hours of mathematics, and eight hours of physics. Some schools require study in rhetoric, foreign language, behavioral sciences, social sciences and others.Students plan a pre-medical or pre-dental program in consultation with faculty advisers. The early selection of a professional school presents the opportunity to effectively plan for the completion of required courses for professional school, while at the same time developing a major in the student's choice of discipline. Typically, premedical students major in biology or chemistry.Two degree options: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. One option leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry, the other to a B achelor of Science degree. Both options consist of a minimum of 124 credit hours and must include the college-wide requirements in general education.The requirements for each degree can be found in the Drake Catalog.Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology (CLS/MT)Students who wish to prepare for a clinical laboratory science/medical technology (CLS/MT) program typically complete four years of coursework at Drake University. During this four-year period, students fulfill the general education requirements for graduation from Drake and the necessary admission requirements for entrance into a CLS/MT program. Applications to CLS/MT programs usually are made during the fall of the fourth year.Students who are selected by an approved clinical laboratory science/medical technology program receive their clinical training at the CLS/MT medical institution where the program is offered. Qualified students may apply to any approved CLS/MT program.