Pre-Veterinary Medicine The Department of Biological Sciences provides a specialized curriculum for students interested in one of the following: Pre-dentistry, Pre-medicine, Pre-optometry, And Pre-veterinary medicine. While no specific major is required by professional schools, this curriculum provides students with a degree in Biological Sciences, prepares them for their professional school experience, and fulfills course requirements for entry into most schools. Applicants to these schools are required to take one of the following admission tests: Dental Admission Test (DAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Optometry Admission Test (OAT), and, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for veterinary school, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant Programs. Ohio University students are assigned an academic advisor in their college department who specializes in advising students in specific areas of interest. A student should contact the schools of choice and consult both academic advisor and the department pre-professional advisor for specific course and exam requirements. Biology is the study of life and its component parts, from molecules to cells to ecosystems. It encompasses the entire biosphere that is the Earth. The current state of biological knowledge has taken centuries to accumulate, and with modern molecular and other analytical techniques, our understanding of biological processes is growing rapidly. The first two years of the biological sciences curriculum provide a solid basis for an understanding of life, from the micro to the macro level, as well as in-depth introductions to three unifying topics: cell biology, genetics, and evolution. Specialized curricula at the upper level include courses designed to prepare students for specific careers, graduate schools, and professional schools. Regardless of the special curricular track chosen, the student will graduate with a solid foundation in biological sciences, as well as a thorough preparation for biological careers and advanced education. The B.S. degree program in biological sciences is designed for students who seek flexibility and breadth in their programs. This track is particularly well suited for students who plan to enter a biological sciences graduate program or professional school. To fulfill the minimum of 54 hours in biology, courses can be chosen to prepare for the student’s specific area of interest, while fulfilling the biology breadth requirement. This track also fulfills the needs of students interested in specializations in Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology, Exercise Physiology, or Neuroscience. See below for more information on these areas.

We prepare students for graduate or professional school, and career paths in biotechnology, biomedical research, and related areas. These are fields that are experiencing tremendous growth in employment opportunities both in academia and in the private sector.