Your Major

At Sewanee we encourage students to major in a subject they are passionate about even if it isn't science related. Pre-health advisors are here to help guide you in your path and ensure you get the required classes needed for your professional school of choice regardless of what your major is.

 Although our most common major in pre-health is biology we also have pre-health students who major in psychology, neuroscience, classical languages, mathematics, history and more.

Pre-Health Curriculum

Each student has a unique pre-health path directed by individual goals and aspirations. Coursework is no exception; every student has the opportunity to work with a pre-health advisor to create an individualized plan satisfying the pre-health requirements as well as exploring outside the pre-health curriculum. 

Incoming first-year students' focus should be on a balanced schedule that will include pre-health foundational courses, general education courses, and language.

Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

Students are strongly encouraged to complete this course within the first year if not the first semester. Chemistry is very important to complete during the first year as it is a two-year-long sequence, and chemistry courses are prerequisites for required upper-level biology courses.

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete two years of chemistry with lab after this course

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Biology
BIOL 133

Students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year at Sewanee as this is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. This course is offered every semester, so completion during the first semester is not necessary.

English
ENGL 101

Many dental, medical, pharmacy and vet schools require two courses in the English or humanities fields. Students are encouraged to consider taking ENGL 101 during the first semester as it will satisfy a general education requirement as well as the prerequisite.

Calculus
MATH 101/102

Math health professional schools require math course in either calculus or statistics. Calculus is often not required, so it does not need to be prioritized during the first year unless it is a requirement for a desired major. 

Although credit may be received for successful AP Calculus exam scores, not all professional schools accept AP credit for required prerequisite courses. It is recommended to research schools of interest to further understand particular math requirements.

Statistics
STAT 204

Statistics is recommended by many health professional schools and is helpful for entrance exams (i.e. MCAT/DAT/PCAT).

STAT 204 is offered every semester, and completion within the first year is not necessary.

Nursing

Psychology
PSYC 100/101

Upper-level psychology courses are often required for many nursing schools, and PSYC 101/100 is a prerequisite for the required upper-level courses.

This is also a very popular course at Sewanee and is difficult to schedule after the first year as the course fills quickly.

Biology
BIOL 180

Human nutrition is required by many nursing schools. 

This course is difficult to schedule in later years due to popularity, so early completion is very helpful.

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

Chemistry is important to complete during the first year as general chemistry is often and is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. 

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete two years of chemistry with lab after this course.

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Occupational and Physical Therapy

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

OT and PT students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year. Many schools require two semesters of introductory chemistry, and it is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses such as human anatomy.

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete chemistry with lab after this course

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Biology
BIOL 133

Students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year at Sewanee as this is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. This course is offered every semester, so completion during the first semester is not necessary.

Psychology
PSYC 100/101

Upper-level psychology courses are often required for many OT and PT schools. PSYC 101/100 is an important course to complete early as it is a prerequisite for the required upper-level courses. 

This is also a very popular course at Sewanee and is difficult to schedule after the first year as the course fills quickly.

Physicians Assistant

Chemistry
CHEM 119/120/150

Chemistry is important to complete during the first year as several semesters are required for many PA schools and is a prerequisite for required upper level biology courses. 

Students are placed based on the student's chemistry background. 

CHEM 119: Principles of Chemistry

Since this course does not have a lab component, students will still be required to complete two years of chemistry with lab after this course

CHEM 120: General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 150: Advanced General Chemistry

Psychology
PSYC 100/101

Upper-level psychology courses are often required for many PA schools, and PSYC 101/100 is a prerequisite for the required upper-level courses.

This is also a very popular course at Sewanee and is difficult to schedule after the first year as the course fills quickly.

Biology
BIOL 133

Students are encouraged to complete this course within the first year at Sewanee as this is a prerequisite for required upper-level biology courses. This course is offered every semester, so completion during the first semester is not necessary.