To pursue a professional degree in dentistry, physical therapy, podiatry or optometry, you’ll need a strong scientific foundation and hands-on experience in the field.
Program Overview
Manifest your dreams of helping people heal as a medical professional.
If you’re interested in becoming a healthcare professional, you might be wondering which major to choose. For many career fields, there’s no one right answer. The liberal arts curriculum at Western Colorado University offers you the opportunity to take the foundational science courses you’ll need to apply to various professional programs, while also exploring other areas of interest. If you’re still figuring out your career path, you can rest assured that the Pre-Health Advising program complements a variety of majors and disciplines. Through immersive courses, on-campus clubs, research assistantships and mentorship programs, you’ll gain hands-on experience to discover your passion and get a competitive edge to pursue an advanced degree.
Over the last 10 years, 89 percent of Western students who have applied for a healthcare-related professional program have been accepted. These high acceptance rates into competitive schools can be credited to the hard work of our students, the support provided by our dedicated faculty and our commitment to academic and professional success.
Firsthand experience
We help students maintain an edge by offering early exposure to healthcare fields, an abundance of research opportunities and a variety of high-quality courses.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
The Pre-Medicine/Cell and Molecular Biology Emphasis requires a minimum of 67 credits, including the 26-credit Biology Nucleus, 19 additional credits in Biology and/or Chemistry, and 22 credits of supporting courses:
All Biology majors require the 26-credit Biology Nucleus.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Nucleus | ||
| BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| BIOL 151 | Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory) | 4 |
| BIOL 301 | GENERAL ECOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 310 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 312 | Genetics (with recitation) | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Biology and Chemistry courses | ||
| BIOL 313 | Cell and Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| Fifteen credits of the following: | 15 | |
BIOL 317 | Genome Analysis (with laboratory) | |
BIOL 342 | Microbiology (with laboratory) | |
BIOL 373 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with laboratory) | |
BIOL 420 | Molecular Biology (with laboratory) | |
BIOL 454 | Developmental Biology (with laboratory) | |
BIOL 474 | Comparative Animal Physiology (with laboratory) | |
CHEM 472 | Biochemistry II | |
CHEM 474 | Biochemistry Laboratory | |
| Select at least two credits of Capstone Experience Courses: | 2 | |
BIOL 495 | Senior Seminar (may be repeated) | |
BIOL 496 | Senior Thesis | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Supporting Courses | ||
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CHEM 471 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3-4 | |
MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | |
MATH 213 | Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1) | |
| Select one of the following pairs of courses: | 8 | |
PHYS 170 & PHYS 185 | Principles of Physics I (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) | |
AND | ||
PHYS 171 & PHYS 186 | Principles of Physics II (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) | |
| OR | ||
PHYS 190 & PHYS 185 | General Physics I (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) | |
AND | ||
PHYS 191 & PHYS 186 | General Physics II (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) | |
| Total Credits | 22-23 | |
Capstone Course Requirement
The following courses in the Biology Major fulfill the capstone course requirement: BIOL 495 SENIOR SEMINAR, BIOL 496 Senior Thesis or EDUC 409 SECONDARY STUDENT TEACHING.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 151 | Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory) | 4 |
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| MATH 141 | Precalculus (GT-MA1) | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 310 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 301 | GENERAL ECOLOGY | 3 |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| MATH 151 or MATH 213 |
Calculus I (GT-MA1) or Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1) |
3-4 |
| Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| BIOL 312 | Genetics (with recitation) | 4 |
| BIOL 313 | Cell and Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
| Social Science GE | 3 | |
| Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 471 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| Social Science GE | 3 | |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| PHYS 170 or PHYS 190 |
Principles of Physics I (GT-SC2) or General Physics I (GT-SC2) |
3 |
| PHYS 185 | Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 171 or PHYS 191 |
Principles of Physics II (GT-SC2) or General Physics II (GT-SC2) |
3 |
| PHYS 186 | Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Social Science GE | 3 | |
| Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 495 or BIOL 496 |
Senior Seminar or Senior Thesis |
2 |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | Elective | 11 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Biology Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | Elective | 9 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 119-120 | |
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Expand your community and your network.
There are so many ways that you can maximize your educational experience at Western. Take advantage of these opportunities to advance your career.
- Pre-Health Club: These students collaborate to host medically-relevant events and volunteer services.
- Research Assistantships: Many professors conduct externally-funded research and are always looking for student help.
- Shadowing: Opportunities to shadow practicing clinicians exist both locally and throughout the United States.
- Thornton Biology Research Program: Students can receive funding and work with faculty on original research.
- Pre-Health Mentorship Program: Students are paired with a qualified health professional to help them gain hands-on experience and prepare for a career after graduation.
A commitment to success
Western’s Pre-Health Advising program combines hands-on labs, engaging theory courses and practical internship opportunities to create well-rounded graduates ready to take the next step in their health-focused career.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Natural & Environmental Sciences (NES) Department
Department Chairperson
Anne W. Ryter, Ph.D.Professor of Chemistry
Administrative Assistant
Lori ClementNES Administrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Hurst Hall 128
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
