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Health Careers Advising

IP Health Sciences Program - 4 year plans

We offer the following pathways to help you prepare for your career in the Health Professions. The sample 4 year plans below show all the components of these pathways.  These pathways are meant to be combined with your four year program of study at Earlham in the major of your choice. There is no correct major for those interested in Health Careers!

Looking to explore/compare different Health Career options - click here

As shown in the sample 4 year plans, the IP Health Sciences pathways have both curricular and co-curricular requirements.  These are designed to help you build a strong portfolio and be a competitive applicant for health professions school of your choice.   These plans are very flexible and can be adapted/modified to fit with your major or off-campus program interests.  Please talk to Michael Deibel or Peter Blair, Co-Directors of the Center for Global Health, as early as possible in your academic career to assist in this planning.  Early planning promotes flexibility and makes exciting academic programs possible!

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis Upper Level Biology Course*   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 351 Biochemistry PHYS 120 or 125 Social Science course   Volunteer Experience*
Spring Upper Level Biology Course** PHYS 230 or 235 MCAT Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring Upper Level Chemistry Course***    Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.

**Recommended choices for Upper Level Biology Courses:

  • Anatomy and Physiology I/II
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Advanced Cell Physiology
  • Parasitology

***Recommended choices for Upper Level Chemistry Courses:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Thermodynamics and Kinetics
  • Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • Advanced Instrumental Analysis

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis BIOL 345 Anatomy and Physiology I
   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 351 Biochemistry PHYS 120 or 125 BIOL 461 Microbiology   Volunteer Experience*
Spring   PHYS 230 or 235 DAT Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring BIOL 347 Anatomy and Physiology II    Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.

 

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis BIOL 466 Molecular Genetics
   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 351 Biochemistry PHYS 120 or 125 BIOL 461 Microbiology   Volunteer Experience*
Spring   PHYS 230 or 235 GRE Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required. Experience hours vary by school but can be quite extensive (over 1000 hours in some cases)

These are the general requirements that fit many Veterinary schools.  However, requirements vary significantly by school - check the AAVMC pre-requisite sheet for specific schools.

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology       Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics   BIOL 345 Anatomy and Physiology I
   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall  BIOL 347 Anatomy and Physiology II   BIOL 461 Microbiology   Volunteer Experience*
Spring     GRE Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.

More information about Advanced Degree Nursing programs.

 

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring   CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis BIOL 345 Anatomy and Physiology I   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall  CHEM 351 Biochemistry   BIOL 347 Anatomy and Physiology II   Volunteer Experience*
Spring  BIOL 461 Microbiology Statistics*  GRE preparation
   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.  Please note that many PA programs require a significant # of health exposure/experience hours (300-1500 hours).

*- Possible Statistics courses include MATH 120 Elementary Statistics, MATH 300 Calculus Statistics, or PSYC 245 Research Methods and Statistics

 

Prerequisite requirements vary from program to program.  Please look at the Directory of Physician Assistant programs with prerequisite requirements for details.

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology       Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics BIOL 345 Anatomy and Physiology I      Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall BIOL 347 Anatomy and Physiology II PHYS 120 or 125 BIOL 461 Microbiology   Volunteer Experience*
Spring  Exercise Science PHYS 230 or 235 GRE Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study  Upper Level Psychology     Volunteer Experience*
Spring  Upper Level Social Science    Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required. PT programs have a requirement of 20-100 hours of PT observation (verifiable).

 

These are the general requirements that fit many Physical Therapy schools.  However, requirements vary significantly by school - check the PTCAS prerequisite sheet for specific schools.

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I Elective 1*   AdviseStream
Spring ES II EDUC 101 Public Health     Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall    Statistics**     Volunteer Experience*
Spring    BIOL 200 Epidemiology     Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall  Elective 2***
       Volunteer Experience*
 Spring  Possible Off-campus program       Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall  
     GRE Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Spring    SOAN 333 Medical Anthropology and Global Health  
   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required for the Minor in Public Health.  Completing the PH minor with a grade of 3.2 or higher qualifies a student for a preferred pathway admission to the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health without taking the GRE.  It is recommended to get significant experiential learning hours by taking advantage of the following opportunities:
 a.  Off-campus program with a directed internship focused on Public Health
b.  May Terms  - by approval
c.  Ford/Knight courses – by approval  
d.  Co-curricular activities, health-related, Summer research (on- or off-campus), Externship, or Internship

** - Statistics courses possible include Elementary Statistics, Calculus Statistics, Psychology Statistics or Economic Statistics

***- Electives  (3 total – 1 from each category):

1.  Natural science elective (1 elective; 3-4 credits)
BIO 112 CGI
BIO 111 EcoBio
CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry

2.  Social science elective (1 elective; 3-4 credits)

SOAN 118 Inequality, Power, and Society -(4 credits)

SOAN 335 Health, Medicine, and Society – Y (4 credits)

SOAN 339 Drugs and Health – every other year (4 credits)

PSYC 116 Behavior, Healthcare and Society – Y (4 credits)

PSYC 368 Human Sexuality – every other year (3 credits)

PSYC 376 Health Psychology (3 credits)

PSYC 379 Community Psychology (3 credits)


 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis BIOL 345 Anatomy and Physiology I
   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 351 Biochemistry PHYS 120 or 125 BIOL 461 Microbiology   Volunteer Experience*
Spring  BIOL 347 Anatomy and Physiology II PHYS 230 or 235 OAT Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.

 

 

These are the general requirements that fit many Optometry schools.  However, requirements vary significantly by school - check the OPT-ED prerequisite sheet for specific schools. 

 

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring Math 180 Calculus CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis BIOL 345 Anatomy and Physiology I
   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 351 Biochemistry PHYS 120 or 125 BIOL 461 Microbiology   Volunteer Experience*
Spring BIOL 347 Anatomy and Physiology II  PHYS 230 or 235 PCAT Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.

These are the general requirements that fit many Pharmacy schools.  However, requirements vary significantly by school - check the AACP document on admissions requirements for specific school information.  

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry   AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology       
Spring Statistics CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis     
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 431 Instrumental Analysis
 BIOL 466 Molecular Genetics
   
Spring         
Summer       GRE Preparation  Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study**    GRE Preparation  
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams  

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 research or internship are required.

**Suggested Choice for Off-campus:

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology PSYC 220 Adult Psychopathology
 SOAN 115 or SOAN 118   Volunteer Experience*
Spring PSYC 245 Research Methods and Statistics BIOL 345 Anatomy and Physiology I      Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall BIOL 347 Anatomy and Physiology II Psych 250 Brain and Behavior
     Volunteer Experience*
Spring  Psych 238 Human Development SOAN 335 Health, Medicine and Society
GRE Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.

 

These are the general requirements that fit many Occupational Therapy schools.  However, requirements vary significantly by school - check the Occupational Therapy schools list for school specific requirements.

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis BIOL 345 A&P II   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 351 Biochemistry PHYS 120 or 125 BIOL 347 A&P II   Volunteer Experience*
Spring MATH 180 Calculus PHYS 230 or 235 MCAT Preparation   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall Possible Off-Campus Study       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.  ALSO REQUIRED - 8 hours of documented shadowing with Physician Anesthesiologist or Anesthesiologist Assistant

 

 

Sample Four-Year Course Plan

    Curricular Co-Curricular
Year 1 Fall ES I CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society - Psychology for the Health Professions AdviseStream
Spring ES II CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I BIOL 112
Cells, Genes & Inheritance		  Volunteer Experience*
Summer       Research or internship*

 
Year 2 Fall BIOL 341 Cell Physiology CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II     Volunteer Experience*
Spring Statistics CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis BIOL 345 A&P II   Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 3 Fall CHEM 351 Biochemistry PHYS 120 or 125 BIOL 347 A&P II   Volunteer Experience*
Spring   PHYS 230 or 235     Volunteer Experience*
Summer        Research or internship*
Year 4 Fall BIOL 461 Microbiology       Volunteer Experience*
Spring      Senior Comprehensive Exams   Volunteer Experience*

Courses in bold are required; all others are strongly recommended.  *At least 2 volunteer experiences and 1 research or internship are required.  ALSO REQUIRED - documented shadowing with Pathologist or Pathology Assistant

 

 

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Earlham College, an independent, residential college, aspires to provide the highest-quality undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences, shaped by the distinctive perspectives of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

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