Pre-Dentistry
Essential Courses
| Course # | Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| BI 105 | Biological Diversity and Ecology | 3 | None |
| BI 121 | Biology Lab I | 1 | BI 105 (corequisite) |
| BI 106 | Structure and Function of Cells and Organisms | 3 | BI 105 and CH 105 |
| BI 122 | Biology Lab II | 1 | BI 105 and BI 121(prerequisites) |
| BI 207 | Dynamics of Biological Processes | 4 | BI 106, CH 105 and Ch 232 |
| CH 105 | Organic Chemistry Concepts I | 3 | None |
| CH 116 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 | CH 106 (corequisite) |
| CH 106 | Organic Chemistry Concepts II | 3 | CH 105 (with C or better) |
| CH 118 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 1 | CH 106 |
| CH 232 | Intro to Inorganic Chemistry | 4 | CH 105 and CH 116 |
| CH 250 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 | CH 232 |
| CH 301 | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology I | 3 | BI 207, CH 250 |
| PC 200 | General Physics I | 3 | PC 206 (corequisite) |
| OR | |||
| PC 202 | Introductory Physics I | 3 | MA 130 and PC 206 (corequisites) |
| PC 206 | Physics Lab I | 1 | PC 200 or PC 202 (corequisite) |
| PC 201 | General Physics II | 3 | PC 200; PC 207 (corequisite) |
| OR | |||
| PC 203 | Introductory Physics II | 3 | PC 202 and MA 130; PC 207 (corequisite) |
| PC 207 | Physics Lab II | 1 | PC 201 or PC 203 (corequisite) |
| EN ___ | English Course (in addition to CWS) | 3 | Varies |
Important Notes:
- Many schools REQUIRE at least one semester of Biochemistry. Strongly recommend Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Microbiology, Physiology, Anatomy, Modes of Clay, and accounting and business courses, . Also recommend genetics, calculus, foreign language (especially Spanish), sociology, economics, psychology, history, communication courses, and ethics.
- These courses reflect program requirements for our affiliations with Temple University School of Dentistry and LECOM School of Dental Medicine only. Although this course list will be sufficient for most other programs, make sure to check requirements of other schools in which you are interested no later than your sophomore year.
- This course list does NOT represent a POE, nor does it cover College requirements. Design a POE, preferably in an academic area, in consultation with your advisor. Note: If you are in a 3 +_ program, course work during the first year of professional school can count toward upper level POE requirements.
- Make sure to have an advisor on the Health Professions Committee, preferably Dr. Borgardt.
- In addition to your course work you are urged to gain some experience in dentistry either during the school year or over the summer.
REQUIREMENTS
Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry (3 + 4 B.S./D.M.D) and LECOM School of Dental Medicine (4 + 4 Early Acceptance B.S./D.M.D)
| Classes | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Biology and Lab | 8 |
| Inorganic Chemistry and Lab | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry and Lab | 8 |
| Physics and Lab (Temple only)* | 8 |
| English | 6 |
| Biochemistry (LECOM only) | 3 |
*LECOM strongly recommends Physics (4 credits) and the DAT is required no later than October of the senior year. Both affiliates also strongly recommend physiology, anatomy,and/or microbiology
Competitive credentials:
Temple: Science and overall GPA of at least 3.2 (average entering science GPA is 3.4). Science prerequisites with grades of C- or lower must be repeated. Note: May be exempt from specific prerequisite requirements if student has a B.S. degree and a gradepoint average of 3.25 or better, 3 credits of biology, and 9 additional science credits.
Accelerated applicants must complete one year of physics with the laboratories by the end of the junior year and achieve a minimum score of 19 in the Total Science section and 19 in the Academic Average section of the DAT.
LECOM: Students must apply for the Early Acceptance Program no later than February 1st of the sophomore year. High school students who have at least 1170 on the Math and Verbal sections of the SAT OR at least 26 on the ACT may also apply. International and transfer students are not eligible. Application to the Early Acceptance Program consists of informing Dr. Kirchhof-Glazier of your intentions and then submitting an online application to LECOM. LECOM will accept up to 5 qualified students per year into the Early Acceptance Program. Students in the Early Acceptance Program cannot apply to any other dental school and must attend at least one annual LECOM On-Campus Day event. LECOM wants no summer course work unless extenuating circumstances (LECOM permission required: consult with Dr. Debra Kirchhof-Glazier). POEs that are not in the biological or physical sciences require approval by LECOM. A criminal background check needs to be initiative by January of the year of matriculation. We recommend anatomy, physiology, immunology, and histology but are not required.
Cumulative GPA each semester must be at least a 3.0 overall and in science, with a grade of C (not C-) or better in all prerequisite courses. GPA at the time of application must be at least 3.4 overall and 3.2 in the sciences. Also students must take at least 13 credits the first semester and at least 14 credits a semester thereafter. DAT needs to be 16 or better in each section. 100 hours of shadowing in a clinical dental setting is highly recommended.
Helpful websites:
American Dental Education Association- http://www.adea.org/
American Dental Association - http://www.ada.org
LECOM School of Dental Medicine- http://lecom.edu/school-dental-medicine.php
Temple University School of Dentistry - http://www.temple.edu/dentistry/
General Information: http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Index.aspx
SUGGESTED CORE PROGRESSION FOR Pre-DENTISTRY*
*If you are planning to study abroad or if you are in accelerated program consult with your Health Professions advisor to plan your course progression
Bolded courses are offered only in the indicated semester and/or require a specific sequence due to Juniata prerequisites. Non-bolded courses are either offered in both semesters or represent open-ended choices, making them more flexible in when they can be taken. Course progressions after the freshman year are not carved in stone. Your particular course sequence may be different, depending on your situation. Consult with your advisor.
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | BI 105 | Biology Lab II |
| Biology Lab I | Organic Chemistry Concepts II (if C or better in OCC I) | |
| Organic Chem Concepts I | Organic Chem Lab I |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Year | BI 106 | Analytical Chemistry |
| Intro. to Inorganic Chemistry | English | |
| Organic Chem Lab II | BI 207 |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year | Physics I and Lab | Physics II and Lab |
| Biochemistry & Molecular Biology I | ||
| DAT Exam Preparation* | DAT Exam Preparation |
*Both semesters of the year you plan to take the exam.
If you do an accelerated program plan to finish most or all of the prerequisite courses the year before your final year at Juniata. If you have one or two courses to complete your final year at Juniata, you could be conditionally accepted to professional school based on your academic record up to that point and on successful completion of the remaining prerequisite courses.
If you study abroad the SAFEST strategy is to take ALL prerequisite courses for professional school in the U.S., which may require you to take courses in the U.S. over the summer, preferably at a 4 year institution. However, if this is extremely difficult for your situation, check with the professional schools you wish to attend to see if they will accept courses taken abroad and if so, get their response in writing. Also if you have a Biology POE and will not have BI 207 by the time you go abroad, check with the Biology Department to see if there is a Cell and Molecular course you can take abroad that will enable you to take upper level biology offerings at Juniata your senior year that require BI 207 (ex. Physiology, Immunology, and Microbiology).
Be mindful of your POE courses, which are NOT indicated here. For example, if you have a Biology POE, you will need to take Freshman seminar the spring of your freshman year, Frontiers of Biology the fall of your sophomore year, and Biology 207 at your earliest opportunity after completing Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry.
