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Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
Pre-Professional PreparationThe following roster of pre-professional studies indicates how the liberal arts can fulfill the general as well as the specialized objectives of St. Olaf students. Recommendations are based on the typical pre-professional requirements currently existing in universities and professional schools. Subjects grouped under the headings "Strongly Recommended" are required by many institutions while those under "Recommended" are important but not necessarily required. Because of their diverse nature, many professions such as business and management, law, and government-public policy defy course-specific recommendations for undergraduates. For example, as many psychology as economics majors in the United States enter business careers each year through corporate training programs. In those instances, recommendations should be considered suggestive, not directive. Opposite examples are Nursing and Social Work (consult the Index), which have prescribed curriculums required for the state license. PRE-PROFESSIONAL STUDIESStudents are encouraged to work closely with faculty, pre-professional advisers, department chairs, and the Career Development Center during and after their time at St. Olaf.AccountingCampus contact person: Mary Emery, Economics Department Students planning to sit for the CPA examination upon graduation should major in Economics or Mathematics and take elective courses in accounting and finance. Beginning in the year 2000, new members of the American Institute of CPAs must earn one year of college credit beyond the bachelor's degree. Students are strongly advised to check the regulations for licensure in the state where they intend to practice. Strongly recommended: Management Studies 225, 237, 252, 258, 259, and 377;ArchitectureCampus contact persons: Steve Edwins and Wendell Arneson, Art Department Strongly recommended: A major in the visual arts, basic mathematics, physics and chemistry, public speaking Recommended: Courses in history, philosophy, and humanities.Business and ManagementCampus contact person: Kathy Chadwick, Economics Department Students planning to enter the business world immediately upon graduation and seek a career in accounting, finance, management, or marketing should major in Economics and consider an Area of Emphasis or a Management Studies Concentration. Strongly recommended: Economics 225, 237, 250, 251, 252, 281; English 251; Computer Science 172; Math 126; Political Science 251; Philosophy 119, 232, or 373; Psychology 121; Communication 120 or 140 or 240 The best Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programs do not require a specific undergraduate curriculum. They seek people with strong skills in analysis, communication, and leadership. Typically, students entering an MBA program will have two or more years of work experience. Most MBA programs will accept the best St. Olaf students without work experience if they are well prepared. Recommended: An undergraduate program that develops analytical, communication, and leadership skills.Computer and Information SciencesCampus contact person: Richard Brown, Director of the Computer Science Concentration The following are recommendations in addition to courses normally taken in a Computer Science Concentration. Recommended for Computer Science: Computer Science 398; Computer Science 294 or 394; supporting Mathematics, e.g., Mathematics 214, 220 (or 222); Communication courses. Recommended for Management Information Science: Economics 125, 236; Communication 120. Recommended for Computer Engineering: Electronics, e.g., Physics 246; supporting mathematics, e.g., Mathematics 226 (or 228).DentistryCampus contact persons: Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other members of the Pre-Health Sciences Committee Strongly recommended: Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123 Interim), 126, 247, 248, 253, 254; Biology 125, 126, 231, 243; English 111, plus a second course in English or Communication; Nursing 110; Mathematics 120, 126 or 122, 128; Physics 124 and 125; Psychology 121; Dental Aptitude Test (DAT). Most dental schools (e.g., Minnesota) require that these courses be graded.EngineeringCampus contact person: David Dahl, Physics Department Most students choose to complete a B.A. degree at St. Olaf before beginning work on an M.S.E. degree at the school of their choice, an option which typically takes five and one-half to six years. A cooperative program exists which enables a student to receive a B.A. degree from St. Olaf and a B.S. degree in Engineering from either Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., or the University of Minnesota, in a five-year program. Consult the Index for further information. Strongly recommended for Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering: Major in Physics Strongly recommended for Chemical Engineering: Major in ChemistryGovernment and Public PolicyCampus contact person: Daniel Hofrenning, Political Science Department Recommended: Courses in political science and economics are most directly applicable and are strongly recommended. However, a broad liberal arts education also provides strong preparation. Courses in all disciplines can offer unique perspectives on public policy issues and excellent training for a career in public service. Students with an interest in the Foreign Service or an international career should, in addition to courses recommended above, pursue foreign language studies.JournalismCampus contact person: Jan Allister, English Department Strongly recommended: English 255. Recommended: Other writing courses such as English 251, 257, 373; course work in American and modern world history, contemporary sociology/anthropology, ethics, economics, and political science; course work in mass media and communications; Art 115 (photography); Computer Science 172.LawCampus contact person: Charles Umbanhowar, Sr., Political Science Department Most accredited law schools have no specific requirements for the pre-law course, but the Association of American Law Schools emphasizes the breadth and quality of the undergraduate program. Students desiring more information should consult with members of the Pre-law Advisers Committee.MedicineCampus contact person: Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other members of the Pre-Health Sciences Committee Refer to the requirements of the specific medical schools of interest. Strongly recommended: Biology 125, 126, 233; Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123), 126, 247, 248, 253, 254; Mathematics 120, 126 (or 122, 128); Physics 124 and 125, or 126, 127, 228; Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT) Recommended: Biology 231, 241, 243; Chemistry 255, 256, 373, 379; Nursing 110; courses in literature, humanities, philosophy, social studies, communication. Medical schools require that these courses be graded.Performing ArtsCampus contact persons: Chair of Art Department; Chair of Communication and Theater Department; Chair of Dance Department; Chair of Music Department; Director of Interdisciplinary Fine Arts Major Strongly recommended: A comprehensive major in art, dance, music, or communication and theater (with a theater emphasis). Teaching majors are offered and the individual department chairs should be consulted for the specific departmental requirements. The Interdisciplinary Fine Arts major is an interdisciplinary major with an emphasis in art, dance, music, or theater. The Bachelor of Music degree is a professional degree for preparation in music performance, theory-composition, church music, or music education. For specific information about requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree, refer to the Music section of the catalog course listings. Recommended: Well-rounded background in the liberal arts, particularly the humanities.PharmacyCampus persons: Wesley Pearson, Chemistry Department, and other members of the Pre-Health Sciences Committee Strongly recommended: Biology 125, 126, 231, 243; Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123), 126, 247, 248, 253, 254; Economics 121; English 111, 220 (or Communication 120); Mathematics 120 or 122; Physics 124 and 125. Recommended: electives to minimum of 17 courses; Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) required.Physical TherapyCampus contact persons: Ted Johnson and Henry Kermott, Biology Department Generally required: Biology 125, 126, 243; Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123), 126; Mathematics 120, 126 (or 122, 128); physics (two courses): Physics 124 and 125; social sciences (three courses): Psychology 121, 264, and one Sociology course; Statistics 110 or 112 or Mathematics 212; Graduate Record Exam (G.R.E.). Recommended: Biology 231, 233, 247; Chemistry 247, 253; Psychology 241; Physical Education 374, 375; Sociology/Anthropology 248; communication and biomedical ethics. Some physical therapy schools require a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (C.P.R.) course. Consult early with physical therapy schools about additional recommended or required courses for their program.Social WorkCampus contact persons: Naurine Lennox and Mary Carlsen, Social Work Program The undergraduate social work major is required for students who wish to be licensed as Social Workers by the State of Minnesota and to be employed as a social worker immediately following graduation (consult Index for program listing). Students who plan to attend a graduate school of social work following graduation are encouraged to consult the Social Work director for information on appropriate courses and majors. For admission to graduate professional programs the following are: Generally required: Statistics 110 or Mathematics 112. Highly recommended: Social Work 221. Recommended: humanities (especially ethics, logic, literature); social sciences (including economics and political science); human biology; language study (especially Spanish); public speaking computer literacy, and cultural competence.Teaching (Public Education)Campus contact person: Mark Schelske, Education Department The Teacher Education Program is recommended for students who seek state licensure for classroom teaching. Students who satisfactorily complete the professional education sequence and meet the course requirements of a selected major teaching area become eligible for a K-6, 5-8, K-12 or 5-12 license (depending on their choice of teaching area). Consult the Index for information about Education and Social Studies Education. Recommended: Education 290 is a prerequisite for all Education courses and should be taken the second semester, sophomore year or fall of junior year. Students should acquaint themselves with requirements of the program early in their college experience by consulting the catalog, the Education Department website, and with education and content area advisers.TheologyCampus contact person: John Barbour, Religion The Association of Theological Schools recommends that college students study the following subjects: English language and literature; history, including non-Western cultures as well as European and American; philosophy, particularly its history and its methods; natural sciences, both the physical and the life sciences; social sciences, where psychology, sociology and anthropology are particularly appropriate; the fine arts and music, especially for their creative and symbolic values; Biblical and modern languages; religion, both in the Judeo-Christian and in the Near and Far Eastern traditions. Students should acquaint themselves with the specific entrance requirements of the schools to which they might apply. Students interested in further advice may consult with the College Pre-Seminary Committee (contacted through the college pastor) or with the chair of the Religion Department.Veterinary MedicineCampus contact person: L. Henry Kermott, Biology Department Recommended: Biology 125, 126, 231, 233; Chemistry 125 (or 121, 123), 126, 247, 248, 253, 254, 373, 379; Mathematics 120 or 122; Physics 124 and 125, or 126, 127, and 228; Economics 121; Communication 120 or 240; Statistics 110 or Mathematics 112 or 212. The Veterinary Aptitude Test and Graduate Record Exam may be required. Requirements vary with the school; experience with animals necessary. Please contact campus adviser for pre-veterinary medicine for more complete details. Note: all or most of these courses may be required, depending on the school. |