B.S.,
Biology,
Pre-Medicine Track
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
What You’ll Do
How many jobs give you the chance to leave the office knowing you brought healing to someone who was suffering, or helped a child recover from a serious illness? As a Biology major pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the Pre-Medicine track at IUP, you’ll take your first step toward a career as a physician.
IUP’s Biology Department offers you the opportunities found at larger research institutions, as well as the kind of more personal learning community found at smaller colleges. The coursework satisfies the medical school admission requirements and will prepare you for the MCAT by the end of your junior year.
IUP has early acceptance agreements with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Both allow qualifying students to gain provisional acceptance into the medical college as long as they maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in the Pre-Med curriculum. Known as “3+4” programs, they allow students to elect to enter medical school after three years at IUP. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from IUP upon successful completion of the first-year curriculum at LECOM or PCOM (along with fulfilling the undergraduate requirements at IUP).
IUP is a participating affiliate of the Physician Shortage Area Program, established by Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia to encourage more physicians to practice medicine in rural areas of Pennsylvania that are severely underserved. Eligible students must be from a rural area or have spent a significant amount of time in a rural environment. For more information, visit www.tju.edu/psap.
What You’ll Become
The Bachelor of Science in Biology Pre-Medicine track prepares you for admission to medical school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for physicians and surgeons is good, with job openings expected to grow 14 percent through 2016. The growing and aging population will push demand for medical services. The job market is particularly good in rural and low-income areas where there are shortages of doctors.