Pre-Medicine: Chemistry (BS)

Student pouring chemicals into container.

Chemistry — the study of matter — is the basis of everything. And it’s also an excellent foundation for medical school.

Why Choose a Pre-Med Chem Program?

Chemistry is one of the most valuable undergraduate majors for future med school students, and for good reason. It’s closely linked to other scientific disciplines and is central to understanding all aspects of the natural world.

A pre-med chem program offers a comprehensive background in inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry. The experimentation and problem-solving skills you will hone in this major also align well with fast-growing, innovative fields such biotechnology, forensic science and medicinal chemistry — preparation suitable for immediate hire or graduate programs.

Why USF’s Pre-Med Chem Program?

The University of Saint Francis has a strong reputation for preparing our graduates to serve others as compassionate, socially responsible healthcare professionals. Our comprehensive, rigorous pre-med curriculum, along with enriching hands-on experiences and one-on-one advising, will prepare you well for the MCATs and medical school admissions.

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Career Outlook & Success

$208,000

National median salary for physicians and surgeons (BLS, 2019)

#7

best-paying job in the United States (U.S News & World Report, 2020)

#5

best job in healthcare (U.S News & World Report, 2020)

Accelerated MD & Graduate Degree Options

USF’s pre-med chem program offers students several opportunities for accelerated admission to graduate and professional school.

Pre-Med to DO Program with Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine

A sister Franciscan institution, the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University Indianapolis offers a faith-based approach to physician training. Our partnership offers two options:

  • Early Acceptance Track – guarantees an admission interview in September of your senior year, with a final decision by Sept. 30.
  • Guaranteed Interview Track – offers an admission interview in October of your senior year, with an admissions decision within one week

View admissions requirements.

Pre-Med to Master of Pharmacogenomics with Manchester University

Pharmacogenomics (PGx), also known as personalized medicine, is one of the fastest-growing scientific disciplines. A master’s degree in PGx prepares you for careers in medicinal chemistry, genetic testing and pharmaceuticals, and for medical school and Ph.D. programs.

  • Our partnership reserves spots in its on-campus for four qualified USF students

View admissions requirements.

Personalized Pre-Med Advising

USF’s pre-med chem program offers one-on-one advising from a medical school admissions expert, who will help:

  • Determine the best medical schools and programs for you
  • Develop your medical school admissions materials
  • Ensure you meet med school application deadlines
  • Prepare you for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Real-World Experiences: Research & Internships

Pre-med students interested in research, medicine, pharmaceuticals and medicinal chemistry get hands-on experience in professional settings through internships and on- and off-campus research.

Internship sites include research labs, medical device manufacturers and healthcare facilities throughout the region, including:

  • Cooke Polymer Technology
  • Fort Wayne Metals Lab
  • A&L Great Lakes Laboratory
  • Bethesda Lutheran Communities

And pre-med chem program students have conducted research with faculty scientists at USF, as well as through fellowship at off-site labs:

  • Argonne National Laboratory
  • American Chemical Society Nuclear and Radiochemistry Summer School
  • Midwestern Alliance for Healthcare Education Program (Parkview Health)

Research Spotlight:
Lead Paint Project Bringing Meaning to Lab Work

Since 2017, USF chemistry majors have teamed up with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health to test and analyze area homes for lead-based paint.This community-based project opportunity connects chemistry to public health, medicine and environmental science. Read the full story.

Hands holding a dish in the chemistry lab.

Faculty & Facilities

Inside the Achatz Hall of Science, a Distinction Winner in Spaces4Learning’s 2020 Educational Design Showcase, you will learn, experiment and discover in state-of-the-art chemistry labs equipped with high-tech equipment, tools and instrumentation.

Your dedicated pre-med professors have a diverse range of research interests and professional experience:

  • Anatomy
  • Community health education
  • Epidemiology/population health
  • Forensic chemistry
  • Inorganic chemistry
  • Medical ethics
  • Organic chemistry
  • Virology

You will also learn and work with instructors and lab staff who are active practitioners, clinicians, technicians and healthcare business professionals who bring up-to-date skills, research and best practices to the classroom.

Meet a Few Chemistry Students & Professors

Campus & Community Involvement

USF students will find many ways to get involved on campus and in the community. Organizations that might appeal to pre-med and chemistry majors include:

  • Chemistry
  • Kinesiology and Nutrition Club
  • Pre-Professional Healthcare Honor Society
  • Criminologists in Action

Medical School Acceptance: Graduate and Professional Programs

Our chemistry pre-med students have been accepted at into medical programs at institutions such as:

  • Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Indiana University School of Medicine
  • Indiana University School of Optometry
  • Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Midwestern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine

I worked on faculty research one summer and did an internship at a national lab another, both because of Dr. Geyer’s support. Now that I’ve pursued a Ph.D. at a large university, I see how much I was given as an undergraduate and the difference it makes.

Talitha Frecker ’13, earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at Vanderbilt University
Associate director of technology development at Lanther Sensors

Ready to start?

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Your first step to becoming a USF Cougar is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Whether you know what you want to see, who you want to meet or are just exploring your options, we will personalize your campus visit to fit your needs.

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Academic Plan

An academic plan is a general blueprint showing how one might complete the degree, semester by semester. Get an idea on what each semester could look like.

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