The following pre-health courses may be required or recommended for admission into veterinary, medical, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, occupational therapy, and physical therapy schools. Some of these courses are required by professional schools prior to admission, while others broaden your informational base.
Admission to the University is not required to register for any course below as long as you meet course prerequisites. You can take as many courses as your needs require, whether you are completing a course for the first time or seeking to improve your grade in a previously taken course.
- BC 351 – Principles of Biochemistry (4 cr.)
Online biochemistry course for pre-professional students in health sciences.
- BC 353 – Pre-Health Genetics (4 cr.)
Applies and extends the biochemical concepts to macromolecules and molecular processes based on nucleic acids.
- BMS 300 – Principles of Human Physiology (4 cr.)
Gain a general introduction to human physiology, including cells, tissues/skin, skeletal system, endocrine system, blood, lymphatics, reproduction, and more in this online physiology course.
- BMS 310 – Anatomy for the Health Professions (4 cr.)
Online anatomy course designed to meet the anatomy prerequisite for students who are applying for admission to health profession programs. This course includes a virtual basic anatomy lab.
- BMS 320 – Virtual Laboratory in Physiology (2 cr.)
This course uses simulations to study classic physiology experiments meant to meet the physiology lab pre-requisite for off-campus students applying for admissions to post-graduate biomedical programs. The course is designed to fit the needs of students preparing for careers in health related fields such as Pre-Health, Pre-Physical and Occupational Therapy, as well as student simply interested in how their body functions.
- HDFS 101 – Individual and Family Development (3 cr.)
Do you work with people every day? Do you want to learn more about your children's development? Would you like to learn more about the family life cycle and its impact on family members? This course is designed for those who want to gain a better understanding of the developmental processes of individuals and families.
- HDFS 312 – Adult Development – Middle Age and Aging (3 cr.)
Developmental issues and processes pertaining to middle and later adulthood. Contexts in which adult development and aging occur are emphasized.
- HDFS 332 – Death, Dying, and Grief (3 cr.)
Developmental processes of death and dying related to the dying individual and family; applied to dealing with grief, death in human service agencies.
- HDFS 375 – Programming for Children and Families (3 cr.)
This course addresses prevention and intervention programs for children and families, with a focus on children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, and promoting healthy parent-child and other relationships.
- HDFS 404 – Child Life Theory and Practice (2 cr.)
Theories and skills related to effective child life practice in hospitals.
- HDFS 412 – Mental and Physical Health in Adulthood (3 cr.)
Mental and physical health of adults, contextual factors of development, and implications for prevention, intervention, and public health planning.
- HDFS 445 – Early Childhood Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3 cr.)
Planning, promoting and maintaining healthy lifestyle and safe learning environment for preschool children.
- MIP 300 – General Microbiology (3 cr.)
Structure, function, physiology, and molecular biology of microorganisms emphasizing bacteria are covered in this online microbiology course.
- OT 215 – Medical Terminology (1 cr.)
This online medical terminology course covers the use of word parts, medical terms, word building skills, spelling, abbreviations, and medical records. It is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the medical vocabulary necessary for subsequent coursework in health-related fields.
- STAT 301 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
Techniques in statistical inference; confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, correlation and regression, analysis of variance, chi-square tests. Emphasis is placed on implementing statistical methods using JMP software and interpreting results.
- VS 331 – Histology (4 cr.)
Histology is the study of the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs. Particular emphasis is placed on histology at the light microscopic level, and hundreds of high-resolution photos and images of human and domestic animal tissues are used in this online histology course. As this course considers both human and domestic animal biology, it can be taken by those pursuing degrees in all health fields.
In addition to the courses listed above, the following may be required or recommended for admission into veterinary medicine schools:
- ANEQ 322 – Pet Nutrition (2 cr.)
Topics covered include basic nutrients, nutrient requirements, feeding practices, prescription diets, developments in pet foods, and sources of nutrients for traditional domestic pets as well as exotics, birds, and wildlife.
- ANEQ 323 – Zoo Nutrition (2 cr.)
This course provides students with an introduction to the amazing animal kingdom, and imparts an awareness of our world's unique animal species and their nutritional needs.
- BZ/VS 479 – Biology and Behavior of Dogs (3 cr.)
Develop a comprehensive understanding of how aspects of physiology, neurobiology, development and genetics influence the behavior of domestic dogs.
- VS 333 – Domestic Animal Anatomy (4 cr.)
This interactive online animal anatomy course compares the dog, horse, and cow. Learn how the gross anatomy of domestic animals dictates the biomechanical functions of the major body systems, and how anatomical parts that are similar among these three species perform similar functions.
