A medical foundation to lead and serve in healthcare
Pre-Med Majors Go Beyond the Basics
As a Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry major, you will learn to integrate faith with learning in biology and be able to discuss ethical implications, even at the global level, in biology. You will develop competency in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, organismal biology (e.g., botany, zoology, microbiology), anatomy and physiology, environmental science, and scientific literacy. You will learn many tools utilized in biology, including many types of microscopes (e.g., fluorescent, electron, polarizing), spectrophotometers, electrophoresis apparatus, computer-based data acquisition equipment, many physiological instruments and various types of other equipment used in a laboratory and research setting.
Prepare for dental or medical school
You might consider a Pre-Med major if you have a desire to advance to medical or dental school or plan on a career in health services or the healthcare industry. Your faculty advisor will work with you to help you fulfill your medical school requirements during your undergraduate degree program at SWU.
Named one of the Most Affordable Pre-Medical Degrees for 2020 by AffordableSchools.net.
Alexa Bombich - Pre-Med Major
Matt Morgan - Pre-Med Major
I didn’t realize how much of a privilege it was to have the opportunity [to do research with a faculty member] in undergrad until I got to medical school and found out that most of my classmates with that sort of research experience were only able to do so in a master’s or Ph.D. program.
- Reagen Welch, Biology Pre-Med Graduate
"SWU has prepared me for medical school in several ways. The professors not only taught in great detail but they also gave unique examples that stuck with me. This not only helped me learn the material but has also prepared me for the level of in-depth learning that is expected in medical school. The study technique I learned while taking Anatomy & Physiology is what I use today in medical school. It has helped me immensely. Knowing how to study and how much would be expected of me in medical school was something that my time at SWU taught me."
Caitlyn Cross, Pre-Med Graduate
Graduate Schools
Our graduates from this program have been accepted into graduate schools including:
- Department of Energy Scholars internship
- Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- East Tennessee State University
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Presbyterian College of Pharmacy
- University of Alabama
- University of Georgia
- University of Kentucky
- University of Nebraska
- University of North Carolina
- University of South Carolina
- University of Texas
- Wake Forest University
- Washington University (St. Louis, Mo.)
- Western Carolina University
Graduate Programs
Graduate school programs that go well with a biology or pre-medical degree:
- Cytotechnology
- Dental School
- Extracorporeal Circulation Technology
- Health Administration or Management
- Medical School
- Osteopathy School
- Medically related research degrees
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmacy School
- Physician’s Assistant
- Veterinary School
- Speech pathology
- Optometry School
Career Preparation
This program opens the door to many career possibilities (some require graduate work), including:
- Advisory or consultant work
- Biotechnology and genetics
- Chemical manufacturing
- Clinical testing
- Cosmetics
- DHEC employee
- Ecologist (e.g., for Duke Power)
- Environmental testing and remediation
- EPA employee
- Fisheries
- Food, nutrition, agriculture
- Forensic Science
- Forestry
- Groundwater studies and remediation
- High School Biology Teacher
- Microbiologist (e.g., CDC)
- Microscopist
- OSHA employee
- Pesticide residue analysis and standards
- Pharmaceuticals
- Sale of biological and chemical supplies or pharmaceuticals
- Sewage treatment or waste disposal
- Soil science
- Zoo or aquarium
Graduate Experience
Our graduates have gone into a number of careers including:
- Laboratory technicians at such universities as Clemson University and the University of North Carolina.
- Professors at Duke University, University of Georgia, Emmanuel College
- Doctors, dentists, physical therapists, physician assistants, nurses, certified massage therapists, speech pathologists, optometrists, podiatrists, and other medically related fields.
- Chemists and biologists for Duke Power, Milliken Corporation, Michelin Corporation, Nutra, and other industries.
- High school biology and science teachers, including one who was the outstanding biology teacher in all of South Carolina in 2010.
- Forensic scientists
- Pharmacists and pharmaceutical sales representatives
- Biologists at Tennessee Aquarium and Ripley’s Aquarium