Why Choose the Pre-Professional Health Pathway at Bethel University?
This major is designed for students aiming at medical, dental, physician assistant, and veterinary schools. It pairs the full biology major with the demanding science sequence those programs expect, including organic chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, and human anatomy and physiology, so you finish with both a degree and the prerequisites to apply with confidence.
It is built to prepare the whole future clinician. Alongside the core sciences, you study medical terminology, advanced cell biology, immunology, and medical ethics and legal issues, gaining the vocabulary, depth, and ethical grounding that professional schools and patients alike will expect. For students drawn to veterinary medicine, the catalog provides an alternate course path, so the major flexes to fit your specific goal.
What You’ll Learn
In this program, you will learn:
- A foundation in biological chemistry, cell biology, genetics, and evolution
- A working knowledge of microbiology, including organisms studied from a health sciences perspective
- A command of genetics and the biochemical basis of inheritance
- An understanding of human anatomy and physiology across the body's major systems
- Advanced cell biology knowledge, including cell signaling and an introduction to cancer biology
- An understanding of immune system function and disorders, with an introduction to pathophysiology and epidemiology
- A command of organic chemistry and the structure and reactivity of organic compounds
- An understanding of biochemistry, including biomolecules, enzymes, metabolism, and cellular regulation
- Fluency in medical terminology across body and organ systems
- A grounding in medical ethics, legal issues, and the ethical frameworks behind clinical decisions
- Strong laboratory skills developed across the biology and chemistry curriculum
Courses You'll Take
Every course in the major is required, with laboratory work throughout where applicable:
BIO 111, Introduction to Biology I
BIO 112, Introduction to Biology II
BIO 201, Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 202, Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 211, Introduction to Microbiology
BIO 304, Genetics
BIO 316, Medical Terminology
BIO 401, Ecology
BIO 419, Cell Biology
BIO 423, Cell Biology II
BIO 425, Immunology
BIO 430, Medical Ethics and Legal Issues
BIO 497C, Biology Capstone
CHE 311, Organic Chemistry I
CHE 312, Organic Chemistry II
CHE 412, Biochemistry
CHE 422, Biochemistry II
Students interested in veterinary school follow an alternate path in which BIO 201, 201L, 202, and 202L are replaced by BIO 302, 302L, 312, and 312L.
Career Possibilities
Physician
Diagnoses and treats illness and injury, with the degree serving as preparation for medical school.
Dentist
Diagnoses and treats conditions of the teeth and mouth, following dental school.
Physician Assistant
Examines, diagnoses, and treats patients as part of a healthcare team, following a PA program.
Veterinarian
Diagnoses and treats animals, following veterinary school and the major's alternate course path.
Pharmacist
Dispenses medications and advises on their safe use, following pharmacy school.
Physical Therapist
Helps patients restore movement and manage pain, following a doctor of physical therapy program.
Optometrist
Examines eyes and prescribes corrective treatment, following optometry school.
Medical or Research Scientist
Conducts laboratory or clinical research, often following graduate study in a biomedical field.
Related Degrees and Programs
If you’re interested in this degree or program, here are others you might find intriguing.
See All
