Skip Navigation

Pre-Med Program

 Pre-Med Program Unknown (or inaccessible) property:CurrentPageVersion.PageID
Darrel Falk

Pre-Health Advisor: Dr. Darrel R. Falk


dfalk@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-2272

Background


Like most colleges and universities, Point Loma does not have a major that is called the pre-med major. Medical schools generally prefer that a student interested in proceeding to the M.D. degree major in a specific discipline. In general, pre-med students at Point Loma major in either Biology, Chemistry or both (Biology/Chemistry joint major). The majority of pre-med students take the joint major.

The following gives an indication of the program that a student might pursue if he or she were to choose the Biology/Chemistry joint major. There is great flexibility as to when a student would take the various non-science courses. Also, some students come to Point Loma with AP credit and thus frequently several of these courses are waived. Nevertheless the following table depicts a program for a typical pre-med student.

Sample Schedule:

Year

Fall

Spring

First

  • Cell Biology and Biochemistry (Bio 210)
  • General Chemistry I (Chem 152)
  • Personal Development (Psych 101)
  • Pre-Calculus (Math 123)
  • Animal Biology (Bio 215)
  • General Chemistry II (Chem 153)
  • Calculus (Math 144)
  • Speech (Com 100)

Second

  • Genetics (Bio 345)
  • Organic Chem I (Chem 295)
  • General Physics I (Phys 141)
  • New Testament (Bib 102)
  • PE Activity
  • Organic Chem II (Chem 300)
  • Analytical Chemistry (Chem 211)
  • Composition (Wri 110)
  • Old Testament (Bib 101)
  • General Physics II (Phys 142)
  • Molecular Biology (Bio 380)

Third

  • Advanced Cell Biology (Bio 350) or
  • Developmental Biology (Bio 400)
  • Instrumental Analysis (Chem 370)
  • Sociology Elective
  • World History I (Hist 110)
  • Spanish I (Span 101)
  • Vertebrate Physiology (Bio 420)
  • Organic Qualitative Analysis (Chem 351)
  • Art History (Art 100)
  • Advanced Inorganic Chem
    (Chem 466)
  • World History II (Hist 111)
  • Spanish II (Span 102)

Fourth

  • Advanced Biochemistry (Bio 450)
  • Physical Chemistry (Chem 325)
  • Literature Elective
  • Music History (Mus 100)
  • Christian Tradition (Chu 395)
  • Microbiology (Bio 315) or
  • Immunology (Bio 390)
  • Biology Seminar (Bio 497)
  • Literature Elective
  • Fitness Through Movement
    (PED 100)
  • Ethics (Phi 311)
  • Elective
The above program is that of a Biology/Chemistry joint major. A pre-med student who chose to major only in Biology would take fewer Chemistry courses and more Biology, but other than that, the courses would be very similar. Similarly, a pre-med student who chose to major in Chemistry, would take fewer Biology and more Chemistry courses, but again except for that, the program would be similar.


Post-Graduation


From 2001-2008, 85 students have applied for entry into a doctorate level health professions school. 78 (92%) were admitted. The national average for admission into medical school during this same period is much lower. Point Loma is very proud of the success of its students. Our pre-med program is very rigorous, and as a result Point Loma students score well in standardized tests. The rigor of the courses, together with the amount of personal attention that students receive from faculty is probably the basis of student success. Point Loma is especially proud of its success given that its admission's policy is not as selective as that of many other colleges and universities.

The following is a list of universities in which the 78 students have enrolled since 2001, broken down by specific health disciplines:

Medical Schools:

  • Columbia University
  • Creighton University
  • George Washington University
  • Harvard University
  • Loma Linda University
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Rosalind Franklin University
  • Ross University
  • St. George's University, Grenada
  • St. Louis University
  • Uniformed Services University
  • University of Arizona
  • University of California, Irvine
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California, San Diego
  • University of California, San Francisco
  • University of Colorado
  • University of Hawaii
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of New Mexico
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Vermont
  • University of Virginia

Osteopathic Medical Schools:

  • A.T. Still, Arizona
  • Kirksville Osteopathic
  • Lake Erie, Bradenton
  • Midwestern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Oregon Health Sciences
  • Touro University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Nevada and New York
  • Western University of the Health Sciences
  • West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Dental Schools:

Optometry Schools:

Podiatry Schools:

Veterinary Medical Schools: