Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Medicine • Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Pharmacy • Pre-Mortuary Science
Department of Chemistry
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
The Programs
Graduates of these pre-professional
programs have attended strong professional
programs such as those at the University of
Michigan and Wayne State. When these
students come back to visit, they have high
praise for the excellent teaching and solid
science background they
received at EMU.
The pre-medicine, predentistry, and pre-pharmacy
programs prepare you to apply
to professional programs at
U.S. and Canadian medical,
dental and pharmacy schools. Because each
professional school has its own specific
admission requirements, you need to research
them for each school to which you plan to
apply. Consult an adviser for specific courses
you should select to fill pre-professional
program requirements. [For example, predental students are frequently required to take
PSY 101 and SOC 105. You may consult the
publication Admission Requirements of U.S.
and Canadian Dental Schools, available in the
office of the pre-dentistry adviser].
Because pre-medicine, pre-dentistry and
pre-pharmacy are programs and not majors,
you will need to select a major and a minor if
you intend to earn a bachelor’s degree. In
general, professional
schools in these fields
require that you have a
strong background in
chemistry and biology with
additional requirements in
physics and math, so most students choose to
major in biology, chemistry, or biochemistry
and minor in one of the other areas. While not
an absolute requirement for admission to
health professional schools, an overwhelming
majority of the successful candidates do earn a
bachelor’s degree while meeting the preprofessional requirements.
You will need to take
the Medical Aptitude Test
(MCAT), the Dental
Aptitude Test (DAT) or
the Pharmacy College
Admissions Test (PCAT)
late in your junior year.
Consult the Undergraduate Catalog for more
information.
Pre-mortuary science require at least two
years of academic work before entrance into
the professional program. In addition to
courses in biology, chemistry, math, and
psychology, the Board of Examiners in
Mortuary Science recommends electives in
behavioral sciences, business, counseling, first
aid, and public speaking. Consult the
Undergraduate Catalog for more information.
If you are interested in dental hygiene or
dental assisting, you should plan to transfer
after completing your freshman year at
Eastern. Two year certificates and four-year
degree programs are available in Michigan at
the University of Michigan, Ferris State
University, and the University of DetroitMercy. Two-year programs are also available
at numerous community colleges.
Points of Interest
• Research. Many chemistry and biology
students embark on their own scientific
research projects and work with faculty
members. There are research courses for
which you can sign up, and projects can
extend for more than one semester. You may
even co-author an article to be published in a
scientific journal or be a presenter at an
international conference. Contact the adviser
in your area for more information.
• Facilities. Between 2009 and 2012, the
Mark Jefferson building was expanded and
completely renovated. The finished Science
Complex features interactive, technologicallymodern classrooms, state-of-the-art teaching
and research labs, and dedicated student
study/interaction areas. The completed
Science Complex received LEED® Gold
certification. Pictures of Chemistry
Department facilities are available on the
Chemistry Department website:
www.emich.edu/chemistry/facilities.
• Honors Courses. Every year, the
Chemistry Department offers Honors sections
of General Chemistry I and II, Organic
Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry Lab, and
Introduction to Analytical Chemistry. There is
also an Honors section of BIO 110,
Introduction to Biology, offered each fall.
• Clubs. There are active Pre-Medicine,
Pre-Dental, and Pre-Pharmacy Clubs, as well
as a Chemistry Club, and a Biology Club.
Each of these groups actively engages
members in a variety of social and informative
programs, which may include tours of various
professional and industrial locations.
• Speakers. Both Chemistry and Biology
have visiting speaker programs which give
students a chance to listen to professionals
discuss interesting topics and the latest
research. Most of the speakers reserve time to
talk to students before or after these events.
Typically Recommended Science
Course Sequence:
Want to learn more?
Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dental, & Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-medicine:
Biology: Sign-up sheets for preprofessional advising appointments are
located in a binder in the Biology
Department office in 441 Science
Complex. You may send email to Dr.
Angell at michael.angell@emich.edu
Year Term Courses
Chemistry Department Programs
Biochemistry:
Our biochemistry majors prepare students
for technical positions in biochemistry,
particularly in the pharmaceutical industry and
our often selected by students in pre-medical,
pre-dental and pre-pharmacy programs.
Chemistry:
Our chemistry majors prepare students for
technical positions in chemical industry and
related careers in business, patent law, or
industrial health and safety. They also
provides preparation for careers in secondary
education or in health fields.
Note: “Professional” Chemistry or Biochem
degrees are designed for students who plan to
become professional chemists, attend graduate
school, or pursue research positions. Students
in pre-professional programs typically pursue
“General” Chemistry or Biochemistry degrees.
BIO 110/111 (Introductory Biology I)
CHEM 121/122 (General Chemistry I)
Start Taking Matha
Winter
BIO 120/121 (Intro Biology II) b,c
CHEM 123/124 (General Chemistry II)
Fall
BIO 301(Genetics)b
CHEM 371 (Organic Chemistry I)
1
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded each year to
chemistry and biology majors at every
academic level. There are also a number of
University scholarships for which you may
apply. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for
information, 734.487.0455.
Fall
2
BIO 305/306W (Cell & Molecular Bio)b
Winter CHEM 372 (Organic Chemistry II)
CHEM 373 (Organic Chemistry Lab)
Talk to an area adviser. The earlier the better. The
recommended courses vary greatly from one
professional school to another, especially after the
first year or two.
a. An early start on math courses is highly
recommended in all programs. Pre-medicine and
pre-pharmacy students generally need to eventually
take MATH 120 (Calculus I).
b. Only recommended for pre-medicine students.
c. Only recommended for pre-dentistry students.
Faculty
Chemistry and Biology faculty are
accomplished scientists, some of whom have
worked in industry. All have earned doctoral
degrees, published articles and been guest
speakers at professional conferences.
Faculty members are approachable: We all
took our jobs because we enjoy helping
students, and an open door usually means
we’re “interruptible.”
Contact the adviser in your area.
Chemistry: Dr. Debbie Heyl-Clegg
734.487.0106
E-mail: dheylcle@emich.edu
Pre-dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental
assisting:
Dr. Gregg Wilmes
734.487.0106
E-mail: gwilmes@emich.edu
Pre-mortuary science:
Dr. Heather Holmes
734.487.0106
E-mail: hholmes1@emich.edu
Pre-pharmacy:
Dr. Tim Friebe
734.487.0106
E-mail: tfriebe@emich.edu
For additional information on Chemistry
Department Programs contact: 734.487.0106
E-mail: chem_ug_advising@emich.edu
Visit us on the Web:
www.emich.edu/chemistry
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