Pre-medical, Pre-dental, and Pre-veterinary Programs

The liberal arts curriculum at Marietta College provides an ideal framework for the pre-professional preparation needed for entry into a variety of health fields. Medical, dental, and veterinary schools seek students who not only have a sound education in the basic sciences, but who also have developed communication skills and have foundations in the humanities and social sciences.

Although most pre-medical, pre-dental and pre-veterinary students at Marietta major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or athletic training, other majors may be more suitable for some students. Because some students later decide not to pursue a career in the health professions, a major should be chosen on the basis of genuine interest. Although most medical profession schools do not specify a preference for a particular major, they do require that the student complete a certain core group of courses. For example, many medical schools require the following:

One year (8 credit hours) of biology;
Two years (16 credit hours) of chemistry including a year of organic chemistry;
One year (8 credit hours) of physics;
One year (7-8 credit hours) of mathematics including calculus;
One semester of literature.

Courses such as these should be completed by the spring of the junior year in order to be prepared adequately for the national admission examinations (MCAT, DAT, VAT or GRE). Some schools also specify other courses in the humanities and social sciences. Because these requirements vary among schools and according to the type of health profession, the pre-professional student should seek advice about course selection from an advisor as well as the Marietta College Pre-Medical Committee.

The Pre-Medical Committee consists of representatives from the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. In addition to advising students in the selection of courses, the Committee collects and disseminates information regarding professional school admission requirements, national admission examinations, and application procedures. The Committee is also responsible for organizing faculty recommendations regarding students seeking admission to schools of the health professions.

Available to pre-medical students at Marietta College is the “Rounds Program.” Several physicians at Marietta Memorial Hospital have agreed to allow qualified pre-medical students from Marietta College to make “rounds” with them. This might entail such things as visiting hospitalized patients with their physicians, observing surgery, or spending some time in the physician’s office during patient examinations. Participating physicians may include emergency room physicians, internists, surgeons, obstetricians, gynecologists, pathologists, radiologists, and practitioners in other specialties in medicine. This program is available to qualified pre-medical students who have reached their junior year. A similar program exists with local practitioners for pre-dental and pre-veterinary students.

For more information, contact:

Kevin Pate

Professor of Chemistry

Rickey Science Center – Room 372B

(740) 376-4752

patek@marietta.edu