COLLEGE OF SCIENCES
Dean: Dr. Douglas Leaman
Associate Dean: Dr. Peter Zachar
Academic Departments
Biology & Environmental Sciences
Chemistry
Computer Science
Mathematics
Psychology
Mission
The College of Sciences provides coursework and programs in the life sciences, physical sciences, computer science, mathematics, and psychological science. The College is committed to creating a dynamic and stimulating environment, focused on the use of the scientific method that serves to foster open inquiry, encourage critical thinking, and promote ethical decision making. The AUM Center for Cyber Security is also located in the College.
General Considerations
In all curricula within the College of Sciences, the major consists of a minimum of 36 hours (see departmental requirements), a minor of at least 12 hours (where required by the major) and sufficient electives to ensure the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of course work. Since each department in the College of Sciences has specific requirements for its majors, and because these requirements will vary significantly from one department to another, it is imperative that students consult their advisors. This advisor is responsible for working with the student to ensure his or her program meets departmental requirements. It is, however, the responsibility of all students to meet with their advisors on a regular basis and to fulfill all requirements for the degree.
Pre-Health Sciences
Courses are available that will enable students to meet all pre-professional requirements in medicine, dentistry, optometry, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, law, and engineering. Students planning to pursue careers in the health professions are collectively referred to as pre-health sciences students. Pre-health sciences at AUM includes students interested in attending undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral level programs in the health care field. Medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine are just a few of the many programs available in healthcare, and the AUM pre-health sciences advising office works to prepare students for admission to whatever program they are interested in. Please contact Central Advising for more information.
Pre-health sciences programs at AUM are designed to be pre-professional curricula and not degree programs in themselves. This allows students to graduate from AUM with an academic major that can provide alternative possibilities if career plans change. The most common choices of majors in the past have been biology, mathematics, and chemistry. However, as long as specific entrance requirements are met, professional schools have no preference for any particular academic major, and students can major in any degree program they choose. After a departmental classification has been chosen, the student must consult both the appropriate health sciences advisor and the departmental advisor prior to registering for courses. All pre-health students will be advised by the College’s pre-health sciences advisor.
Most health professions programs have similar admission requirements, but each school has its own specific requirements for admission. Students should be aware of the specific requirements of the schools they intend to apply to and the prerequisites for required courses in these areas.
Recommended Courses for the first two Years of STudies in any area of pre-health sciences: |
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First Year: CHEM 1100/1101 and CHEM 1200/1201; one appropriate mathematics course; ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020; BIOL 1010/1011 or 1017/2018; and BIOL 1020/1021 or 1027/1028. |
Second Year: Two appropriate biology courses; CHEM 3100/3101 and CHEM 3200/3201; and PHYS 2100/2101 and PHYS 2200/2201 |
In every instance, it is strongly recommended that students attempt to complete the courses on which the professional school entrance examinations are based prior to the end of their junior year. Specific advice can be obtained from the pre-health sciences advisor.
Students will be most competitive for admission to pre-health programs when they maintain an above- average GPA (3.2 and above); participate in shadowing experiences, internships, or summer programs; and perform well on admissions tests. Students are encouraged to always have a “plan B” for their career goals should their pre-health plans change, or their academic performance does not meet competitive standards. Pre-health professions students maintain a rigorous course load, including many labs and extracurricular activities. This could pose a challenge to students who work full-time or are limited in their class availability. Students who fall significantly below a 3.2 GPA at the end of the sophomore year should seriously consider another curriculum or accept a low chance of success in gaining admittance to the professional school.
If a degree was not completed prior to admission to a professional program, upon successful completion of the first year in a doctoral program in medicine, dentistry, optometry, or veterinary medicine, up to 27 hours of credit may be applied towards a baccalaureate degree at AUM, subject to the approval of the dean for the degree area involved.
Pre-professional preparation for allied health disciplines such as physical/occupational therapy, physician assistant, radiologic sciences, public health and nutrition science are also available. Two to four years of preclinical study are required by professional schools, but most students will be more competitive having completed their undergraduate degree. Although advisors at AUM will provide as much assistance as possible, students are responsible for knowing and meeting entrance requirements for specific professional schools by the appropriate deadlines.
Because other requirements must be met, completion of these courses does not ensure admission. Interested students should consult their advisor, preferably no later than their junior year, and should examine the requirements of the specific school they wish to attend to identify the needed curriculum.