Sample Schedules for Individual Majors
Students will select Chemistry 125 or 121 based on the Chemistry Placement Examination or they may take the Chem-Bio sequence Ch-Bi 125, 126 (interim) 127. If students initiate their chemistry major with Chemistry 121, they will continue with Chemistry 123 over the Interim and then Chemistry 126 during Semester II. Students must complete Mathematics through 126 or 128. Seek advice from a chemistry faculty member for advice about electives, seminar attendance, and other opportunities. Listed below is a potential course of study for a student majoring in chemistry.
Majoring in Chemistry |
||
| First year | ||
Chem 125 (or 121/123 interim) |
Chem 126 |
|
Math 120 |
Math 126 |
|
Religion or English or Great Con |
Religion or English or Great Con |
|
Foreign Language |
Foreign Language |
|
Second Year |
||
| Chem 247 (Organic Chemistry) | ||
Majoring in Chemistry
First Year
Chem 125 (or 121/123 Interim)* Chem 126*
Math 120 Math 126
Religion or English or Great Con Religion or English or Great Con
Foreign Language (?) Foreign Language (?)
Second Year
Organic Chem 247 (and 253) Organic Chem 248 (and 254)
Bio 125* Bio 126
2 electives 2 electives
Third Year
Biochemistry (Chem 379) Biochemistry 385 or a Chem elective
Physics 124 Physics 125
2 electives 2 electives
Fourth Year
Analytical Chem 255 (and 256) Analytical Chem 255 (and 256)
or Physical Chem 371 (and 357) or Physical Chem 371 (and 357)
3 electives 3 electives
* May take Ch-Bi 125, 126, 127
- Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry may be taken in any semester
after the sophomore year.
Biology Major
Students can either start with chemistry or biology their first year. There is no consensus, which is
“better”, but the various options should be left up to the student based on their abilities and preferences.
Starting with chemistry has the advantage of spreading out the requirements (i.e., Organic Chemistry and
Physics will be taken in different years). Two possible approaches for students planning to apply to the
Minnesota medical schools are shown below depending on whether a student starts with chemistry or
biology. All students will usually be in math depending on their placement. Occasionally a student will
come in with a year or semester of calculus completed which will allow them to start with Bio 125 and
Chemistry 125 their first semester. Students may also take the Chem-Bio sequence which combines
Chemistry 125, 126 and Biology 125 (Ch-Bi 125, 126 (interim), 127). Some students take Bio 125 during
the Interim and Chem 126/Bio 126 in the spring semester. Interims are usually used for electives with
many biology students enhancing their major with off-campus biology courses during the upper-class years
of study. A reminder that a student can major in any area, but the pre-med requirements (except
Biochemistry) should be completed by the end of the junior year in order to take the MCAT in the spring.
St. Olaf College 16
Listed below are the two options including just the science courses and a few requirements for
someone majoring in Biology:
Option One: Starting with Biology
First Year
Bio 125 Bio 126
Math 120 Math (?)
Religion or English or Great Con Religion or English or Great Con
Foreign Language (?) Foreign Language (?)
Second Year
Biology 261 (?) Biology 233
Chem 125 (or 121 with 123) Chem 126
2 Electives 2 Electives
Third Year
Organic Chem 247/253 Organic Chem 248/254
Physics 124 Physics 125
2 Electives 2 Electives
Fourth Year
Biochemistry 379 Biology
Bio 243 (?) Biology
2 Electives 2 Electives
Option Two: Starting with Chemistry and majoring in Biology
First Year
Chem 125* Chem 126*
Math 120 Bio 126 (?)
Religion or English or Great Con Religion or English or Great Con
Foreign Language (?) Foreign Language (?)
Some students test into second semester Calculus which
allows them to take Bio 125 (a very limited number of students
take Bio 125 during the Interim or test out of Bio 125)
*May take the combined Chem-Bio Sequence (Ch-Bi 125, 126, 127)
Second Year
Organic Chemistry 247/253 Organic Chemistry 248/254
Bio 125* or other Bio courses Bio 126 or other Bio courses
2 Electives 2 Electives
Third Year
Physics 124 Physics 125
Bio 233 or other Bio courses Biology
2 Electives 2 Electives
Fourth Year
Biochemistry 379 Biology
Biology Biology
2 Electives 2 Electives
St. Olaf College 17
Course selection should be as broad as possible; life is unpredictable and breadth in courses
will allow maximum flexibility. Double majors especially chemistry/biology are really not at an
advantage for admission to medical school and will minimize the number of electives taken by a
student. A Biomedical Studies Concentration, a Biomolecular Science Concentration, or a
Neurobiology Concentration may fit the student’s needs and should be explored.
Courses in biology often recommended as electives are Human Anatomy and Physiology (Bio
243), Genetics (Bio 233), Microbiology (Bio 231), Cell Physiology (Bio 341) and upper-level
Statistics (Math 212). Immunology (Bio 382) and/or Developmental Biology (Bio 372) have also been
useful courses for students entering medical school. Students benefit a great deal from an off-campus
internship in medicine or participation in ID 255, Hospital Health Care, and the Physician, in the
Fairview Clinics during the Interim. Off-campus semester programs, such as Biology in South India or
the ACM spring semester in Costa Rica have been very beneficial to students interested in medicine.
Other Majors
Students normally would take Chemistry 125 (or 121/123 Interim), Math 120 and Chemistry 126
their first year. During the second year, students would take Organic Chemistry (247 and 248) with
lab (253 and 254). Biology 125 and 126 could be taken during the second year with Organic
Chemistry or during the third year. Physics 124 and 125 normally would be completed during the third
year. Biochemistry (Chemistry 379) could be taken during either semester the fourth year. General
education courses, electives, and courses in their selected major would be added to the pre-med
requirements. A Biomedical Studies Concentration would be a useful addition to a major, which
would allow exploration of careers in the biomedical area.
Biomedical Studies Concentration
The Biomedical Studies Concentration can be combined with any major and is designed as a plan
of study that will enhance a student’s preparation for a career in medicine, dentistry, therapies (such as
physical, occupational) and a wide range of careers with a biomedical focus. Students need to
complete a contract with Jean Porterfield, Director of Biomedical Studies, usually by the end of the
sophomore year. As a component of the Biomedical Studies Concentration, students will explore at
least three potential career paths. The concentration requires the completion of five courses and a
capstone experience. Students may find the concentration helpful in exploring career choices and
developing long-term goals. More information may be obtained from Jean Porterfield (RHS 428) or
utilizing the website (www.stolaf.edu/depts/biomed/).
Students can start with either Chemistry or Biology in the first year. There is no consensus on which is “better;” the various options should be left up to the student based on their abilities and preferences. Starting with chemistry has the advantage of spreading out the requirements (i.e., Organic Chemistry and Physics will be taken in different years). Two possible approaches for students planning to apply to the Minnesota medical schools are shown below depending on whether a student starts with Chemistry or Biology. If Math requirements are fulfilled with AP credits, the student may choose to take Biology 125 and Chemistry 125 during their first semester. Some students take Biology 125 during the Interim and Chemistry 126/Biology 126 in the spring semester.
Option 1: Starting with Biology
First Year |
|
Biology 125* Math 120 Religion/English/Great Conversations Foreign Language |
Biology 126 Math elective Religion/English/Great Conversations Foreign Language |
Second Year |
|
Biology 233 or 261 Chemistry 125 (or 121/123 Interim)* 2 electives |
Biology 233 or 261 Chem 126* 2 electives |
Third Year |
|
Chemistry 247/253 Physics 124 2 electives |
Chemistry 248/253 Physics 125 2 electives |
Fourth Year |
|
Chemistry 379 Biology 243 2 electives |
2 Biology electives 2 electives |
*May take Ch-Bi 125, 126, 127 instead |
|
Option 2: Starting with Chemistry
First Year |
|
Chemistry 125* Math 120 Religion/English/Great Conversations Foreign Language |
Chemistry 126* Biology 126 or elective Religion/English/Great Conversations Foreign Language |
Second Year |
|
Chemistry 247/253 Biology 125 2 electives |
Chemistry 248/254 Biology 126 or elective 2 electives |
Third Year |
|
Physics 124 Biology 233 or 261 2 electives |
Physics 125 Biology 233 or 261 2 electives |
Fourth Year |
|
Chemistry 379 Biology 243 2 electives |
2 Biology electives 2 electives |
*May take Ch-Bi 125, 126, 127 instead Note : Some students test out of Biology 125 or take it during Interim of their first year. Also, students who test into second-semester Calculus (Math 126) can choose to take Biology 125 during their first semester. |
|
Students will select Chemistry 125 or 121 based on the Chemistry Placement Examination or they may take the Chem-Bio sequence Ch-Bi 125, 126 (interim) 127. If students initiate their chemistry major with Chemistry 121, they will continue with Chemistry 123 over the Interim and then Chemistry 126 during Semester II. Students must complete Mathematics through 126 or 128. Seek advice from a Chemistry faculty member for advice about electives, seminar attendance, and other opportunities.
First Year |
|
Chemistry 125 (or 121/123 Interim)* Math 120 Religion/English/Great Conversations Foreign Language |
Chemistry 126* Math 126 Religion/English/Great Conversations Foreign Language |
Second Year |
|
Chemistry 247/253 Biology 125* 2 electives |
Chemistry 248/254 Biology 126 2 electives |
Third Year |
|
Chemistry 379 Physics 124 2 electives |
Chemistry 385 or elective Physics 125 2 electives |
Fourth Year |
|
Chemistry 255/256 or 371/357 3 electives |
Chemistry 255/256 or 371/357 3 electives |
*May take Ch-Bi 125, 126, 127 instead Note : Chemistry 255/256, 371/357, and 379 may be taken in any semester and/or order after the second year. |
|
Other Majors
General education courses, electives, and courses in their selected major would be added to the pre-med requirements listed below. A Biomedical Studies Concentration would be a useful addition to a major, which would allow exploration of careers in the biomedical area.
First Year |
|
Chemistry 125 (or 121/123 Interim)* Math 120 |
Chemistry 126* Biology 126 or elective |
Second Year |
|
Chemistry 247/253 Biology 125* |
Chemistry 248/254 Biology 126 or elective |
Third Year |
|
Physics 124 |
Physics 125 |
Fourth Year |
|
Biochemistry 379 |
X |
*May take Ch-Bi 125, 126, 127 instead |
|
Additional Comments
- The Biomedical Studies Concentration can be combined with any major and is designed as a plan of study that will enhance a student's preparation for a career in medicine, dentistry, therapies (such as physical, occupational) and a wide range of careers with a biomedical focus. Students need to complete a contract with Jean Porterfield, Director of Biomedical Studies, usually by the end of the sophomore year. As a component of the Biomedical Studies Concentration, students will explore at least three potential career paths. The concentration requires the completion of five courses and a capstone experience. Students may find the concentration helpful in exploring career choices and developing long-term goals. More information may be obtained from Biomedical Studies website.
- Course selection should be as broad as possible; life is unpredictable and breadth in courses will allow maximum flexibility. Double majors, especially chemistry/biology, are really not at an advantage for admission to medical school and will minimize the number of electives taken by the student. Concentrations in Biomolecular Science, or Neuroscience may fit the student's needs and should be explored.
- Recommended electives include Human Anatomy and Physiology (Biology 243), Genetics (Biology 233), Microbiology (Biology 231), Cell Physiology (Biology 341) and upper-level Statistics (Math 212). Immunology (Biology 382) and/or Developmental Biology (Biology 372) have also been useful courses for students entering medical school.
- Students benefit a great deal from an off-campus internship in medicine or participation in one of the following off-campus programs:
- ID 255: Hospital Health Care and the Physician (Interim)
- Biology 250: Cardiac Physiology (Interim)
- Biology 284: Peruvian Medical Experience (Interim)
- Biology in South India (Semester)
- ACM Semester in Costa Rica
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