Pre-professional Programs
Pre-professional Programs
Pre-Dentistry
Most schools of dentistry require a minimum of three years of college coursework prior to admission to their programs. The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry requires at least 87 semester credits. However, the majority of first-year dental students complete four or more years of college.
Specifically required or highly recommended courses vary from one dental school to another. Please click here to view the requirements for the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
Pre-Engineering
Besides offering degree programs in electrical and mechanical engineering, the University of St. Thomas offers a choice of pre-engineering programs to provide the student with a broad range of engineering fields. The program prepares for all engineering fields which include: aeronautical, aerospace, agricultural, architecture, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, engineering science, geological, industrial, materials science, mechanical, metallurgical, mineral and nuclear.
The programs of study are arranged so that a student may transfer to an engineering school with a maximum number of acceptable credits and yet, if a change in major is made while at the university, a maximum number of credits will be applicable to the St. Thomas requirements for graduation. In addition to the liberal arts, courses pre-requisite to an engineering school program are available in areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer programming, and engineering. There are few significant differences in courses taken in the first two years of undergraduate study toward any type of engineering field. All pre-engineering students take mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses, along with a seminar introducing them to the various fields of engineering and to the work of engineers.
A Liberal Arts-Engineering (3-2) program is offered formally in cooperation with the University of Notre Dame, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Minnesota, and informally with virtually any other engineering school. The student will normally spend three years at St. Thomas and, upon approval of St. Thomas and acceptance by the engineering school, two additional years at the engineering school in an engineering field. Upon satisfying the requirements for graduation of both institutions, the student will receive a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor of science degree in the selected field of engineering from the engineering school.
A four-year (4-2) program is offered formally in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, and informally with virtually any other engineering school. The student normally spends four years at St. Thomas and graduates with a major in Physic, Mathematics, Chemistry, or Quantitative Methods and Computer Science. The student then enters a masters or bachelors program at an engineering school.
A two-year (2-2) program is offered in which the student normally spends two years at St. Thomas (although transfer may be initiated at any time) and two years in a selected engineering field at an engineering school. No St. Thomas degree is awarded.
Pre-Law
The best preparation for the study of law is a rigorous undergraduate program that combines depth of study in a major field with breadth of study in the liberal arts. The only true criterion for choice of a major is that it challenge the student's intellectual capabilities.
Regardless of major, pre-law students should include as wide a selection of courses, listed alphabetically by departmental designation, as their degree program allows. Please click here for specific information on course requirements.
Pre-Medicine
Most medical schools require a baccalaureate degree before entrance into their programs.
Two semesters of study in each of the following subjects are required for admission to most medical schools:
- biology
- general chemistry
- organic chemistry
- physics
- English
A number of medical schools also require one semester of calculus or other college-level mathematics or statistics. The University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Duluth) also require one semester of biochemistry. Medical schools generally do not require a specified undergraduate major.
The health professions adviser is available to help students choose the specific coursework necessary to meet admissions requirements, explain admissions procedures, provide information to students about career alternatives, etc. Students interested in a career in medicine should consult with the health professions adviser early in their freshman year to plan an appropriate four-year program.
Pre-Pharmacy
Required courses vary from one school to another, and students are encouraged to research various programs early in their undergraduate program. Please click here to view the current requirements at the Pharm.D. program at the University of Minnesota.
Pre-Veterinary
Required courses vary from one school to another, and students are encouraged to research various programs early in their undergraduate program. Please click here to view the current requirements at the University of Minnesota veterinary school.
For all these programs, students are strongly encouraged to discuss with a pre-engineering adviser their own individual program. Each student, field, and school has different needs and requirements.
