ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Whittier provides excellent preparation in the basic fields required for admission to accredited professional schools. There is a Health Science Advisory Committee of faculty members which works closely with each student. Students should plan to complete a Bachelor's degree in a specific major before applying to the school. Although it is possible to enter some schools upon completion of 90 semester credits, most beginning health science students have completed four years of undergraduate work. It is important that each student determines the specific courses required for the schools to which application is made. Certain minimum requirements are common to most medical, dental, optometry, chiropractic and veterinary schools. These include one year of each of the following: biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and English. Strongly recommended courses include: math (often through calculus), additional biology (i.e. Genetics, embryology), social and behavioral sciences, and biochemistry. Other recommended courses are: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and quantitative analysis.

Students intending to pursue a health science program should contact an advisor in the Biology or Chemistry Departments immediately after admission to Whittier College to plan their curricula and to determine the specific requirements of the schools they are  considering. In addition, participation in the Whittier College Health Professions Shadowing program is encouraged.