Students should seek preprofessional faculty advisers in their interest area early in their academic careers to ensure development of sound, comprehensive study programs which fulfill the admission requirements of the professional program to which they wish to apply.
The following g information on preprofessional study at UM-St. Louis is provided to give students minimal guidelines and assistance in planning a program.
Pre-Architecture
The Department of Art and Art History sponsors the 3+4 Program for the School of Architecture at Washington University. A student who transfers to the School of Architecture, Washington University, at the end of the junior year may graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in art history from UM-St. Louis after the satisfactory completion of the first year of professional school upon meeting one or more of the following conditions:
1) The student has completed all general education requirements and all requirements for the art history major and lacks only the total hours (electives) necessary for a degree. (The courses at Washington University will fulfill all remaining courses.)
2) A student who has not completed required courses for the art history degree must remedy the deficiency with courses taken at the UM-St. Louis within three years of entering the professional school. At the time of graduation, the student must remain in good standing in the professional school or have successfully graduated from professional school.
3) A student who has not completed all the courses required for the art history major may, if the art and art history department at UM-St. Louis approves, substitute up to six hours of appropriate course work from the professional school.
The requirement that 24 of the last 30 hours of course work for a degree be taken at UM-St. Louis shall be waived where necessary for students graduating under this procedure. For more information on admission requirements, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (314) 516-5501, 303 Lucas Hall.
Pre-Engineering
The Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program of the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University was established in 1993. It allows UM-St. Louis to offer complete bachelor of science degree programs in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering.
All three programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Students who enter the joint program take the pre-engineering half of their course work on the campus of UM-St. Louis. The remaining half of their degree programs, consisting of upper-level engineering courses and laboratories, is taken on the campus of Washington University and taught by Washington University engineering faculty members. The two campuses are separated by a driving time of about 15 minutes.
The UM-St. Louis pre-engineering program provides a solid base in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and introductory engineering subjects. Students completing the pre-engineering program will be well prepared for transferring to engineering schools throughout the United States, including UM-Columbia, UM-Rolla, Washington University, and SIU-Edwardsville, in addition to continuing their education and earning their engineering degrees at UM-St. Louis.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements, prospective undergraduate engineering and pre-engineering students may be required to take a mathematics placement test, given at UM-St. Louis, the semester before enrolling.
Although there is no required pattern of high-school units for admission to the undergraduate engineering or pre-engineering programs, students are urged to complete at least four units of mathematics, including units in algebra (excluding general mathematics) and trigonometry. Calculus, if available, is also strongly recommended.
The following indicates pre-engineering course work required for students planning to pursue a bachelor of science degree in engineering at UM-St. Louis through the joint program with Washington University.
Math
1800(80), Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
1900(175), Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
2000(180), Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
2020(202), Introduction to Differential Equations
Chemistry
1111(11), Introductory Chemistry I
1121(12), Introductory Chemistry II
Physics
2111(111), Physics: Mechanics and Heat
2112(112), Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics
Introductory Engineering
Engineering
2310(144), Statics
2320(145), Dynamics
Humanities, Social Sciences, and English Composition
English
1100(10), Freshman Composition
Humanities Electives (three courses)
Social Sciences Electives (three courses)
Students planning to earn a bachelor of science degree in engineering at UM-St. Louis should choose humanities and social sciences electives to meet both the UM-St. Louis general education requirements and the humanities and social sciences requirements of the Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program. In particular:
* A course in American history or government, or in Missouri history
or government, must be included.
* The cultural diversity requirement must be fulfilled.
* A total of three humanities and three social science courses are required.
At least 1 credit hour must be in a course at the junior level or higher,
taken at a four-year institution.
For further Information about undergraduate engineering and pre-engineering programs at UM-St. Louis, please contact the UM-St. Louis/Washington University Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program at 228 Benton Hall, (314) 516-6800.
Prejournalism
Students wishing to pursue a journalism degree should review the entrance requirements of the schools they would like to attend for information on suggested prejournalism courses of study.
Students seeking a journalism degree from the University of Missouri must complete their junior and senior years at the School of Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia. For admission, students must present to the UMC School of Journalism 60 acceptable credit hours. Admission is by sequence. Sequences include advertising, broadcast news, magazine, news-editorial, and photo journalism.
Required Courses
The following studies are required for admission to the School of Journalism:
English Composition: Students must complete at least the second course in an English composition sequence with a grade of B or higher. If a grade of C is received, the student must pass the Missouri College English Test on the MU campus.
Math: Students must complete College Algebra with a grade of C or higher, or have a minimum ACT score of 26, or SAT score of 600 .
Foreign Language: Four years of high school work in one foreign language, or 12-13 hours of college work in one foreign language.
Science: Math 1310(31), Elementary Statistics plus 6 hours from biology, chemistry, astronomy, geology, physics, or above college algebra-level math. One course must include a lab. Please note: college algebra is the prerequisite course for statistics.
Science Electives: Five or 6 additional hours in behavioral, biological, physical or mathematical science from the following areas: anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, math (above college algebra- level), computer science, physics, psychology, or sociology.
Social Science: Nine hours to include American history or American government/introduction to political science plus 3 hours in microeconomics, plus three additional hours in economics, history or political science. Please note: advertising majors must complete both microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Humanistic Studies: Three hours American or British literature, plus Intro to Ethics, plus one course from any of the following areas: history or appreciation of art or music, humanities, religious studies, non-U.S. civilization or classical studies, history or appreciation of theater.
In addition, word processing skills are required (40 words per minute).
Nontransferable courses at the School of Journalism are basic military science, basic physical education, business education (such as word processing or computer applications), journalism or mass communication, advertising, public relations, photography, and no more than 3 hours maximum of applied music, dance, acting, or studio art. Also, not transferable are industrial arts, orientation, and remedial courses.
The school accepts CLEP (subject exams only), Advanced Placement Program (AP) or advanced standing. Credit should be referred for review.
Students are required to take two journalism courses at UMC prior to admission to the school. The English composition requirement must be satisfied prior to enrollment in any journalism course.
For advisement and information, contact the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, (314) 516-5501.
Prelaw
Students planning to attend law school must pursue an undergraduate degree of their choice. There is no such thing as a prelaw major. Law schools encourage students to pursue a course of study that includes a broad liberal arts background. The prelaw advisor will assist students in choosing courses that will enhance their analytical and writing skills.
English language and literature courses are virtually indispensable. An awareness of the institutional processes of government obtained through study in political science is needed. Since law is inseparable from historical experience, an acquaintance with American history is important. Students should acquire a knowledge of macro- and microeconomics. Statistics, accounting, and computer science are valuable in understanding special legal subjects and the practice of law. Other recommended courses include logic, general psychology, into sociology ethics, theories of justice, and courses that promote cultural awareness.
The University of Missouri has law schools at Columbia and Kansas City. University of Missouri-St. Louis students will find everything needed in planning an undergraduate program, preparing for the LSAT, and applying to law school in the office of the prelaw adviser. Students should contact the prelaw adviser through the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, (314) 516-5501, early in their undergraduate studies.
Pre-Health Sciences
Students wishing to enter medical, dental, optometry, or veterinary medicine schools should pursue the B.A. or B.S. degrees with majors in the disciplines of their choice, but they should take whatever additional courses may be necessary for admission to the professional school.
Since admission requirements vary, students are urged to consult the catalogs of the schools to which they intend to apply. Updated information may be found in:
Medical School Admission
Requirements (
Phone: 1-202-828-0416; Website: www.aamc.org
American Dental Education Association Official Guide
to Dental Schools
Phone: 1-800-353-2237; Website: www.aads.jhu.edu/links.html
Schools and Colleges of Optometry Admission Requirements
Phone: 1-301-231-5944; Website: www.opted.org
Pharmacy School Admission Requirements
Phone: 1-703-739-2330; Website: www.aacp.org
Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the
**A copy of the MSAR is also available at the reference
desk of the Thomas Jefferson Library.
Suggested Courses (Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Vet)
Many medical schools recommend the following undergraduate courses:
Biology: Biology 1811(11), Introductory Biology I; Biology 1821(12), Introductory Biology II; Biology 2012(224), Genetics; and additional courses in molecular and/or cell biology.
Chemistry: Chemistry 1111(11), Introductory Chemistry I; Chemistry 1121(12), Introductory Chemistry II; Chemistry 2612(261), Organic Chemistry I; 2622(262), Organic Chemistry II; Chemistry 2633(263), Organic Chemistry Lab; and additional courses in organic chemistry and quantitative analysis.
Mathematics: Students should take courses at least through calculus, as appropriate for the major degree.
Physics: 8 credit hours or as appropriate for the degree chosen.
Since students are not confirmed for admission to professional schools until the science requirements for admission are fulfilled, students should meet the science requirements before the end of the junior year. To complete these requirements in time, Chemistry 1111(11) and 1112(12), Introductory Chemistry I and II should be taken during the freshman year.
Students also should take the required national standardized examination before or during the junior year as is appropriate for the exam: The Medical College Admission Test for premed students; the Veterinary Medical Aptitude Test for prevet students; the Dental Aptitude Test for predental students; the Optometry Admission Test for pre-optometry students; and the Pharmacy College Admission Test (if required) for prepharmacy students.
Each year the number of applicants to health profession schools exceeds the number of available places. Students, therefore, are encouraged to have alternative plans should they not gain entrance. Nursing, and laboratory technology (i.e.) may be considered as alternative fields.
For more information, testing dates, or pre-health science advising, contact the pre-health professions adviser through the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, (314) 516-5501.
Pre-Optometry
The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a four-year program of study
leading to the doctor of optometry degree; this professional degree is
administered by the School of Optometry. It is one of only 16 schools
of optometry in the
Because the University offers the doctor of optometry
degree, it is an ideal institution for pre-optometry education. There are three distinct programs available to UM-St. Louis pre-optometry students:
The Department of Biology and the Department of Physics and Astronomy sponsor 3+4 Programs for the UM-St. Louis School of Optometry. In these programs, a student may be admitted to the School of Optometry after completing three years (90 semester hours) of study. The undergraduate degree is granted when the student satisfactorily completes the first year of the professional program. One or more of the following conditions must be met in order to qualify for the undergraduate degree. 1) All general education requirements and all requirements for the biology or physics major, except electives, must be completed. 2) Any deficiency in required courses must be remedied with courses taken at UM-St. Louis within three years after entering the School of Optometry. 3) Up to 6 hours from the School of Optometry may be substituted for undergraduate degree in Biology with approval of the Department of Biology. For more information, contact the Department of Biology, (314)516-6200. 4) 12 hours in Optometry are required for the B.S. in Physics degree. For more information, call the Department of Physics and Astronomy at 314-516-5931.
The Pierre Laclede Honors College and the School of Optometry offer the Scholars Program; this program allows a student to complete both the undergraduate and doctor of optometry degrees in seven years. To qualify for this program, a student must be a senior in high school; scored a minimum composite of 29 on the ACT; and be accepted to the UM-St. Louis Pierre Laclede Honors College program. For more information about the Scholars Program, contact the Pierre Laclede Honors College, (314) 516-6870.
For more information on admission requirements for the College of Optometry, please refer to the Optometry section of this Bulletin.
Pre-Pharmacy
In general, a pharmacy program may consist of one to three years of pre-professional coursework followed by at least four years of professional study. Some colleges, however, offer the entire program at the pharmacy college, as indicated in Pharmacy School Admission Requirements 2002-2003.*
Since entrance requirements vary, students should consult the catalog of the colleges to which they intend to apply.
Listed below is a general recommendation for a two-year program in pre-pharmacy. Keep in mind, some schools require grades of C or better with a 2.5 – 3.0 or higher grade point average overall and in the sciences. Again, students should always check this information with the specific schools to which they intend to apply.
First Semester
Biology 1811(11), Introductory Biology I
Chemistry 1111(11), Introductory Chemistry I
Math 1800(80), Analytical Geometry and Calculus I
Second Semester
Chemistry 1121(12), Introductory Chemistry II
English 1100(10), Freshman Composition
History 1031(31), Topics in European Civilization: Emergence of Western
Europe to 1715
Psychology 1003(03), General Psychology
Third Semester
Biology 1131(113), Human Physiology and Anatomy II
Chemistry 2612(261), Organic Chemistry I
English 2120(112), Topics in Writing (or Composition II in transfer)
History 1032(32), Topics in European Civilization: 1715 to the Present
Physics 1011(11), Basic Physics
Fourth Semester
Biology 1141(114), Hyman Physiology and Anatomy II
Chemistry 2622(262), Organic Chemistry II
Chemistry 2633(263), Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Physics 1012(12), Basic Physics
Sociology 1010(10), Introduction to Sociology
In addition to pre-professional courses, many pharmacy schools require students to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). For more information about this exam, students may call the Psychological Corporation 1-800-622-3231. Students should also consult the catalogs of the pharmacy schools to which they intend to apply, especially with regard to the following matters: 1) application deadlines and procedures, 2) GPA requirements, and 3) letters of recommendation.
For additional information and pre-pharmacy advising at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences, (314) 516-5501. Information is also available in the Pharmacy School Admission Requirements, which is published yearly. For a copy, call 1-703-739-2330 (approximately $25.00 plus shipping and handling), or visit the web site for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy at http://www.aacp.org.
* Pharmacy School Admission Requirements 2002-2003, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, 2001,p.ix.