At Anderson University, undergraduates who plan to pursue a degree in medicine will be prepared for the rigors of medical schools across the country. The College of Arts and Sciences recommends students major in Biology or Biochemistry, both of which provide students a strong foundation for a future in medicine. These programs provide the best preparation for the notoriously difficult MCAT standardized test required for medical school.
Biology or Biochemistry
Students who desire to pursue medical degrees must first understand the root of human healthcare, which begins with comprehensive knowledge of living things.
Anderson prepares Biology students with an overview of all areas of living things on the genetic, cellular and organismal levels. The university’s Biochemistry students study the areas of chemistry most relevant to living systems on a cellular and molecular level in order to understand biological concepts.
The foundation for human health
Core classes lay the groundwork for both for Biology and Biochemistry majors to study human health in medical school. These students must take courses in general biology and chemistry along with cellular biology, genetics and organic chemistry during the first two years at Anderson.
Additional upper-level courses in the major and electives will further prepare students for their career path. For example, courses in immunology and microbiology will help students better understand disease-causing organisms and how the body fights off these pathogens. Courses in human anatomy and physiology provide invaluable knowledge about the organ systems.
Research opportunities
As a requirement for their degree, Anderson’s Biology and Biochemistry students work closely with a selected faculty member to design and complete a research project. A variety of research fields are available, and projects conducted at the university’s Center for Cancer Research are especially relevant for students planning for graduate work in medicine. Our students have been honored with some of the highest undergraduate awards for their work at the center.
The on-campus human cadaver laboratory located in the School of Nursing provides a rare undergraduate opportunity for preparation in medical fields. All anatomy and physiology labs include several experiences in this facility, and some students choose to complete research projects involving the cadaver lab.
Coaching for med school application process
The Anderson University Pre-Professional Health Sciences Committee is a valuable resource for students preparing for medical school and other health-related graduate programs.
Students can meet one-on-one with a committee member for advice on planning coursework, preparing for standardized tests, developing interview skills and more. The entire committee can convene to interview a student seeking a letter of recommendation. In addition to the letter, committee members provide helpful feedback on the interview and offer opportunities for further interview practice with individual members.
Guaranteed interview program
Anderson has established an agreement with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to aid students in their transition to medical school. Students who meet specified criteria, including the endorsement of the Anderson University Pre-Professional Health Sciences Committee, are guaranteed an interview at VCOM.
Osteopathic medicine is quickly gaining popularity among medical students. Osteopathic physicians, who have earned a DO degree from an osteopathic medical school, emphasize holistic, patient-centered medical care. These doctors concentrate on the whole body in their philosophy of medicine, often creating a partnership with the patient to diagnose and treat an illness or injury. DOs can write prescriptions and may choose any specialty open to MD physicians, including surgery and family practice.
Choosing Anderson
Professors at Anderson prepare students with the appropriate vocabulary and academic concepts needed in the medical world, but also emphasize the importance of developing critical-thinking skills to evaluate the underlying principles of science. Our students will be prepared to problem-solve and consider new approaches for treatment.
Anderson’s small student-teacher ratio provides deeper relationships between professors and undergraduates. Students find these relationships helpful for one-on-one advising and, later, for recommendation letters as they near the completion of their degrees.
Medical professions provide excellent venues for Anderson students to exhibit Christian service. The knowledge that every person is created in the image of God influences how Christian physicians serve their patients through medical treatment. Anderson students understand the inherent value of every human life, inspiring them to excel in their field and build strong relationships with their patients.