PRE-DENTISTRY
Application for admission to a dentistry school is normally made during the senior year of college. To be eligible for admission, students must complete a series of specific prerequisite courses as part of their undergraduate program at St. Catherine's. While prerequisite requirements vary in detail, all emphasize course work in the natural sciences. However, because dentistry schools do not require a specific academic major for admission, students may complete these prerequisite course as part of an undergraduate program that includes any major of their choosing.
The prerequisite courses that are often required for admission to dentistry school include:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry
CHEM201, 202 Organic Chemistry
MATH112 Precalculus
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics
PSYC100 General Psychology
English literature, speech or composition (2 courses)
For further information, contact Dr. John Dwyer of the chemistry department.
PRE-ENGINEERING
The College of St. Catherine offers students a choice of pre-engineering programs including chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and biomedical engineering, as well as computer and systems science.
There are several advantages for students if they begin preparation for an engineering career at the College of St. Catherine. Students will be introduced to a broadly-based educational experience from the perspective of the liberal arts. The size and the atmosphere at the College of St. Catherine contribute to the development of career and educational objectives beneficial to each student. Students will be able to fulfill their engineering prerequisites while at the same time exploring other areas of interest in the event that they decide to pursue a non-engineering career. Students will plan their program in conjunction with a pre-engineering advisor. After two or three years at the College of St. Catherine, students may transfer to an institution with a program in engineering to complete requirements for this career choice.
Students also have the options of the dual degree programs between the College of St. Catherine and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. In these cooperative programs students typically spend three years at the College of St. Catherine and then transfer to Washington University or to the University of Minnesota for their last two years. Upon satisfying the graduation requirements of both schools, students receive two degrees: a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science from the College of St. Catherine and the engineering degree from Washington University or the University of Minnesota. In summary, the dual degree plan is designed to educate engineers who are more adequately prepared to meet the increasing concern and involvement of engineering with the social, economic and environmental problems of today's world.
In addition to the traditional dual degree program leading to the bachelor degree in engineering, it may be possible to enter directly into a Master degree program after completing the pre-engineering preparation. Requirements vary and the Masters degree is not necessarily the one that leads to professional licensure. Details should be discussed with the engineering advisor.
Students in a pre-engineering program will usually take the following courses at the College of St. Catherine:
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry I & II
(chemical engineers also require CHEM201, 202 and 420)
ENGL200 Writing
CSCI111 Algorithms and Computer Programming I (or approved substitute)
MATH113 Calculus I, 114 Calculus II, 205 Linear Algebra, 206 Calculus III, 260 Differential Equations
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics I & II
Humanities and social science courses (see individual program requirements)
Liberal arts requirements vary at different engineering schools and should be closely monitored by the student's advisor.
For further information, contact Dr. Terrence Flower of the physics department.
PRE-LAW
The College of St. Catherine offers no program in pre-law studies, per se, since the training of lawyers is the function of law schools and these schools warn against narrow pre-law studies. Rather, students should design a program giving breadth of study in the liberal arts, allowing themselves to develop the capacity for independent thinking, achieve the ability to express their thoughts with clarity and force, and acquire a grasp of the values of their civilization and the workings of the social and political world around them.
No particular undergraduate major is recommended for students intending to study law, although some have traditionally been thought more appropriate. Because lawyers must know how to write and speak well, majors in English or communications are appropriate. Because lawyers operate in a political world and need to develop an understanding of institutions of society and government and a critical grasp of the Western legal tradition, majors in political science or history are often recommended. Students who are thinking of specializing in a particular field of law might consider a major in a related field; thus, someone interested in business law might major in economics or business, those interested in criminal law might major in sociology or social work and those interested in environmental law in chemistry or biology. Alternatively, students may wish to double major or combine a major with a minor as a way to prepare more broadly or for multiple legal career options.
Whatever major pre-law students decide on, they should supplement it with certain courses that can help prepare them for a law career. They should be sure to have a mix of courses from the following list:
COMM103 Public Speaking or Oral Communication
ENGL200, 202, 302, 303 English Composition and Writing
PHIL210, 215, 220, 300 Critical Thinking, Logic, Ethics, and Philosophy of Law
BADM211, 213 Accounting
ECON261, 262 Economics
POSC171, 201, 307, 375 Political Science
HIST320, 321 History
SOCI250, 321, 334, 347 Sociology
Students should consult with the pre-law adviser, Dr. Garry Pech of the philosophy department, to design an appropriate program of study.
PRE-MEDICINE
Most medical schools consider a four-year liberal arts background the best preparation for studying medicine and for a professional career as a practicing physician. Application for admission to a medical school is normally made after the junior year of college. To be eligible for admission, students must complete a series of specific prerequisite courses as part of their undergraduate program at St. Catherine's. While prerequisite requirements vary in detail, all emphasize course work in the natural sciences. However, because medical schools do not require a specific academic major for admission, students may complete these prerequisite courses as part of an undergraduate program that includes any major of their choosing.
The prerequisite courses that are often required for admission to medical school include:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry
CHEM201, 202 Organic Chemistry
CHEM300 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM440 Biochemistry
MATH113, 114 Calculus
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics
English Literature and composition (2 or 3 courses)
For further information, contact Dr. John Dwyer of the chemistry department or Dr. Kurt Olson of the biology department.
PRE-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
The College of St. Catherine offers two alternatives for completing the Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT). A dual degree program is available to undergraduate students resulting in a B.A. or B.S. in occupational science and a M.A. in occupational therapy (MAOT). A graduate MAOT program is available to students who have completed a B.A. or B.S. in another major. Both programs are available in day and weekend formats.
There are three options for admission to the dual degree program and the Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy:
Option 1: Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP)
High school students who apply to the college on or before February 15 of their senior year are given priority consideration for admission to the dual degree GAP program. Up to 20 students are admitted to GAP each year and are selected based on GPA, SAT or ACT score, and a review of their application to the college. Minimum criteria for the GAP program are a high school GPA of 3.0 and an ACT score of 22 or better or an SAT score of 1020 or better. Students admitted to the GAP program must meet admission criteria for the dual degree program by their sophomore year to continue in the major.
Option 2: Standard Application Process
Students may apply to the dual degree program by February 1 of their sophomore year. Applicants must meet admission criteria for the dual degree program.
Option 3: Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy Program
This option is designed for students who are completing a B.A. or B.S. in another major. Students complete a baccalaureate degree, including the prerequisite courses for the MAOT program, and apply for admission to the MAOT program.
Prerequisites for occupational therapy include:
Human Anatomy and Physiology I (e.g., BIOL251
Human Anatomy and Physiology II (e.g., BIOL252)
General Psychology (e.g., PSYC100)
Lifespan Developmental Psychology (e.g., PSYC202)
Abnormal Psychology (e.g., PSYC301)
Medical Terminology (e.g., INDI222)
Statistics (e.g., PSYC205, MATH110, ECON220)
For more information, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission or the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the College of St. Catherine.
PRE-OPTOMETRY
In order to receive the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree, students must complete a four-year program at a school of optometry licensed by the state in which they plan to practice. Most students interested in optometry first complete a liberal arts degree with a major in biology. The following courses are required for admission to most schools of optometry:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology
BIOL312 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL321 Biology of Microorganisms
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry
CHEM201 Organic Chemistry I
ENGL200 Writing
MATH110 Statistical Analysis
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics
PSYC100 General Psychology
PSYC202 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Two additional biology courses
For further information, contact Dr. Kathleen Tweeten of the biology department.
PRE-PHARMACY
Pharmacy is included among those fields of a professional nature in which preparatory work can be taken at a four-year liberal arts college. Application for admission to a school of pharmacy may be made either as a transfer student, or after having earned a degree from St. Catherine's. In either case, a student must complete a series of specific prerequisite courses to be eligible for admission. While prerequisite requirements vary in detail, all emphasize course work in the natural sciences. However, because pharmacy schools do not require a specific academic major for admission, a student may complete these prerequisite courses as part of an undergraduate program which includes any major of their choosing. The prerequisite courses that are often required for admission to pharmacy school include:
BIOL121 General Biology
BIOL220 or BIOL 321 Microbiology
BIOL251, 252 or BIOL312 Human Anatomy
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry
CHEM201, 202 Organic Chemistry
COMM103 Public Speaking
ECON261 Microeconomics
ENGL200 Writing
MATH113, 114 Calculus
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics
PSYC100 General Psychology
SOCI100 Principles and Concepts in Sociology
English Composition (2 courses)
For further information, contact Dr. John Dwyer of the chemistry department.
PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY
The College of St. Catherine offers students the opportunity to apply the liberal arts experience to their chosen field of physical therapy through a unique dual-degree program. The departments of biology, exercise science, and psychology have developed sequences of courses that include all Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program prerequisites, liberal arts core requirements and major course work in their respective fields. These three areas of study provide the option of completing a bachelor's degree while pursuing the MPT degree. Each area of study includes prerequisite courses for the MPT program including biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, psychology, statistics, medical terminology, and mathematics, while providing a special emphasis in a particular area of study. The first-year courses in each area of study are identical, allowing students time to consider their options and make a decision about the major that is of most interest to them. There are three options for admission to the Master of Physical Therapy program.
Option1: Early Admission program
Students may apply to the college and to the Early Admission program during their senior year in high school. Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration for the MPT Early Admission program:
Required:
* ACT score of 24 or better;
* Cumulative GPA or 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale; and
* Declare pre-physical therapy as intended area of study
Recommended:
* Eight hours of observation and/or volunteering in a physical therapy setting.
Twenty-four students are admitted to the program each year. Students who apply on or before February 15 of their senior year will be given priority consideration for admission to the program. Students will be notified of an admission decision by April 1 of their senior year. Students who apply on or after February 16 will be considered on a space-available basis.
Students who are admitted to the program will be guaranteed a position in the Master of Physical Therapy program provided the following conditions are met:
* Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better;
* Prerequisite GPA of 3.2 or better;
* Letter grades of C or better for all prerequisite courses;
* Completion of the MPT Admission Application (including an essay, GRE, and health care experience) during the junior or senior year;
* Submit positive recommendations from clinical references;
* Meet with pre-physical therapy advisor each semester;
* Meet with a MPT academic advisor at least once in the freshman year.
Option 2: 3+3 Open Admission
Students enter one of three pre-physical therapy areas of study in biology, exercise and sport science, or psychology that include all MPT prerequisites, liberal arts core requirements and major course work in the particular field of study. During the junior year, students may apply to the MPT program as they are completing one of these sequences. If admitted, students will typically be awarded the St. Catherine baccalaureate degree after one full year in the MPT program. The major will be applied science in biology or exercise science or psychology. Following successful completion of all the MPT degree requirements, the Master of Physical Therapy degree is awarded. Students who are not accepted into the MPT program can complete a major in biology, exercise science or psychology by taking the remaining courses in the sequences outlined by each department. Upon completion of these requirements, the student will be awarded the St. Catherine baccalaureate degree, with a major in biology, exercise science or psychology.
Option 3: Senior Open Admission
Students complete a baccalaureate degree, including the prerequisite courses for the MPT program, and apply for admission to the MPT program. If accepted, upon successful completion of all the MPT degree requirements, the Master of Physical Therapy degree is awarded.
Prerequisites for the Master in Physical Therapy program include:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology
BIOL251, 252 Human Anatomy and Physiology, or
BIOL312 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and BIOL314 Comparative Animal Physiology
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry
PHYS108, 109 Physics for the Health Science (algebra-based), or
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics (calculus-based)
PSYC100 General Psychology
PSYC202 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
PSYC205 Statistical Methods in Psychology, or
MATH110 Statistical Analysis or
ECON220 Statistical Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
MATH112 Precalculus, or
MATH113 Calculus I
INDI222 Medical Terminology
For further information, contact Barbara Block, director of academic advising.
PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE
Application for admission to a veterinary school is normally made during the senior year of college. To be eligible for admission, students must complete a series of specific
prerequisite courses as part of their undergraduate program at St. Catherine's. While
prerequisite requirements vary in detail, all emphasize course work in the natural sciences. However, because veterinary schools do not require a specific academic major for
admission, students may complete these prerequisite course as part of an undergraduate program that includes any major of their choosing.
The prerequisite courses that are often required for admission to veterinary school include:
BIOL121, 122 General Biology
BIOL290 Genetics
BIOL321 Biology of Microorganisms
CHEM111, 112 General Chemistry
CHEM201, 202 Organic Chemistry
CHEM440 Biochemistry
PHYS111, 112 Introductory Physics
English Composition (2 courses)
College Algebra, Precalculus, or Calculus (1 course)
For further information, contact Dr. John Dwyer of the chemistry department.
AIR FORCE ROTC
A cooperative program between University of Wisconsin-Stout and the University of St. Thomas provides University of Wisconsin-Stout students with the opportunity to concurrently enroll in credit courses in Aerospace Studies at St. Thomas. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps is an educational and leadership development program designed to prepare students for commissioning as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force. Air Force ROTC complements the academic major of the student's choice and increases the student's career options. Credit is transferable. Scholarships that pay up to full tuition are available, especially in engineering, mathematics, physics, and computer science (see Financial Aid). For more information, contact the Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of St. Thomas at (651) 962-6320 or (800) 328-6819, Ext. 6320.
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