Science Area Programs

Natural science departments aim to provide the background and experience necessary for professional work in the natural sciences, for continuation of the study of natural science in graduate school, and to stimulate and interrelate scientific thinking with other disciplines. A belief in the God of the Bible as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is a basic presupposition.

Courses of study are offered in applied health science, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geology, mathematics, and physics, with cooperative programs in engineering and nursing. Assistance is provided for all students to help them make appropriate educational plans and career choices. This aid is given by the student's faculty advisor, by department chairs, and by the Director of Health Professions, who provides advising and resource materials to students interested in various health professions.

Preparation for Health Professions

www.wheaton.edu/academics/programs/healthprofessions/

The Health Professions Program provides a comprehensive program of profession-driven opportunities and support services that prepare students for diverse fields in the health professions and for service in helping build the church and benefit society worldwide. The program aims to promote student development through excellence in acquainting students with the wide array of health professions careers, guiding their pre-professional formation and development, providing strategies and perspective to shape their pathway to the health profession of choice, and encouraging them in thinking holistically and with a Christ-centered worldview about how they may serve in the chosen health professions field.

Students planning on a career in medicine or one of the related health fields may major in any subject area but must meet the specific admission requirements of the professional schools to which they expect to apply. The Director of the Health Professions works closely with students who are interested in any of the health fields. Career information and advising are provided to help students in selecting courses, preparing for required admissions tests, and understanding the application process to professional schools in their chosen fields. These activities are coordinated through the Health Professions Office. Students can make use of the resources through one-on-one advising appointments, open office hours and various workshops. Additionally, healthcare professionals visit campus to meet with students interested in various career paths throughout the year.

Medicine and Dentistry

Specific training in medicine and dentistry is given in professional schools and is based on a broad and strong preparation in the liberal arts. This is true for chiropractic, optometry, podiatry and veterinary medicine as well. Critical analysis and reasoning skills, clarity of speech and writing are necessary skills in these professions. Experiences such as observing healthcare professionals, volunteer service, and research are important practices that help a student gain a greater understanding of healthcare and develop various relational and technical skills. Both interpersonal and intrapersonal attributes are valued. Personal attributes such as integrity, concern for the well-being of others, humility, professionalism, compassion, personal maturity, and a deep commitment to a life of service are highly sought by leaders in the health professions.

The new competency-based MCAT 2015 was first administered in April 2015. Some changes occurred in the DAT in 2015 as well. School-specific changes in medical school admissions requirements may align with courses required for the MCAT 2015. In addition to course pre-requisites, school-specific admissions requirements may include competencies (both academic and personal, interpersonal and intrapersonal) and foundational concepts in science and social and behavioral science. The four sections of MCAT 2015 are:

1. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems,
2. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills,
3. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and
4. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.

Therefore to prepare for MCAT 2015 students should take:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BIOL 241	Organization of Life: Genetics and Cell Biology	4
BIOL 242	Diversity of Life: An Introduction to Zoology and Botany	4
CHEM 231	General Chemistry I	4
CHEM 232	General Chemistry II	4
CHEM 341	Organic Chemistry I	4
CHEM 342	Organic Chemistry II	4
CHEM 461	General Biochemistry	4
PHYS 221	General Physics I	4
PHYS 222	General Physics II	4

The subjects of psychology, sociology and statistics are also covered on the exam. Students may discern whether or not they would benefit from formal study in these areas. If so, the appropriate courses would be:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
HS 382	Biostatistics	4
MATH 263	Introduction to Statistics	4
PSYC 101	Introduction to Psychology	4
PSYC 268	Statistics	4
SOC 115	Introduction to Sociology	4

Regardless of the major selected at Wheaton, students planning on these careers must take courses to prepare for the national admissions exams and the pre-professional courses which meet the minimal entrance requirements for most medical and dental schools. Beyond the courses listed as preparation for MCAT 2015, school-specific admissions may require other courses such as:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BIOL 326	Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology	4
BIOL 327	Developmental Biology	2
BIOL 356	Genetics	4
MATH 235	Calculus I	4

Additional courses, such as the following, may be helpful toward the student's preparation for professional training:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ANTH 116	Cultural Anthropology	4
ANTH 353	Culture and Difference	4
ANTH 361	Medical Anthropology	2
BIOL 304	Bioethics	4
BIOL 318	Global Health	4
BIOL 323	Introduction to Pharmacology	4
BIOL 324	Microbiology	4
BIOL 325	Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis	4
BIOL 326	Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology	4
BIOL 327	Developmental Biology	2
BIOL 331	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIOL 332	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	4
BIOL 336	Neurobiology of Health	4
BIOL 342	Introduction to Bioinformatics	2
BIOL 356	Genetics	4
COMM 221	Interpersonal Communication	4
COMM 362	Group Dynamics	2
HS 368	Concepts in Nutrition	4
HS 381	Concepts in Epidemiology	4
HS 452	Applied Physiology	4
PHIL 241	Suffering	4
PHYS 363	Introduction to Medical Physics	2
PSYC 268	Statistics	4
PSYC 317	Developmental Psychology	4
PSYC 348	Intro to Psychopathology	4
SOC 228	Sociology of Sexuality	2
SOC 238	Social Problems	2
SOC 364	Urban Sociology	4

Health Professions Colloquium (SCI 291) is highly recommended and provides an opportunity for students to prepare for an upcoming application to a professional health graduate program. Students engage in a variety of topical discussions on issues relevant to work in healthcare today. Discussion and assignments will prepare students for application to health profession programs.

Because competition for entry into medical schools is significant, strong performance in academic course work and national admissions tests (MCAT) is important.

In 2023, there were over 51,000 applicants to allopathic medical schools nationwide. Of these applicants, about 40% attended medical school the following year. Applicants who matriculated in 2023 nationally had an average GPA of 3.77 and MCAT score of 509. To gain admittance, students must be able to demonstrate not only intellectual and academic abilities but also maturity, integrity and personal characteristics that exhibit their ability to handle challenging circumstances and engage individuals from different backgrounds and cultures than themselves.

Allied Health Professions

Students can receive basic preparation for many allied health careers such as nutrition and dietetics, health systems management, pharmacy, audiology, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, health information management, physician assistant, and public health. Students generally pursue a major, receive a B.S. degree, and continue their studies in clinical or graduate programs. The Health Professions Office maintains catalogs and information concerning health careers, and is available for advice and counsel concerning course selection, types of programs, and the application process. Additional information about requirements for the specific programs is available online and by making an appointment.

Liberal Arts/Nursing

See  Liberal Arts/Nursing in catalog.

Pre-Health Professions Certificate

See Pre-Health Professions Certificate in catalog. 

Summer Courses at Science Stations

The Science Division offers students the opportunity to take courses at affiliated science stations during the summer. Information on Wheaton's own Black Hills Science Station in South Dakota and information about the Au Sable Institute in Michigan can be found in the Special Programs section of this catalog.

Science Area Courses

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