Pre-Clinical Lab Sciences

Clinical laboratory scientists (also known as medical laboratory scientists or medical technologists) perform routine and highly specialized diagnostic procedures in clinical laboratories. Most pre-clinical laboratory science (pre-CLS) students complete their degree in BioHealth Sciences/Pre-CLS option before attending a clinical laboratory science program (4+1 program).

The BHS major combined with the pre-clinical laboratory science (pre-CLS) option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to CLS programs across the U.S. Students are urged to carefully check admission requirements at their schools of interest and work closely with admission representatives in order to make sure they are meeting all current requirements.

The pre-CLS option cannot be combined with any other option offered within the BHS major.

Pre-Dentistry

The BioHealth Sciences major combined with the pre-dentistry option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to dentistry schools across the U.S. A member of the pre-dental committee is assigned to each student within the pre-dentistry option to serve as your advisor and assist you with the process of applying to dental schools.

Students may not combine the pre-dentistry/BioHealth Sciences option with any other option offered with the BHS major.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Podiatry

There are two traditional paths to becoming a doctor: allopathic medicine, which leads to Doctor of Medicine (MD), or osteopathic medicine, which leads to a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). Both provide the education and training necessary to practice medicine. A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), trained specifically to diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.

The biohealth sciences major combined with the pre-medicine/podiatry option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to allopathic, osteopathic, or podiatric medical schools across the U.S. This option within the BHS major is also suited for post-baccalaureate students who already have a bachelor's degree in another subject and need science course work to apply to medical school. The option includes advanced courses in microbiology, zoology and the humanities.

Pre-Optometry

Optometry is a health care profession that focuses on vision care and the diagnosis, examination and treatment of eyes. The biohealth sciences major combined with the pre-optometry option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to optometry programs across the U.S. The option includes advanced courses in biology and elective courses in physics and biochemistry and biophysics.

Students may not combine the pre-optometry option with any other option offered with the BHS major.

Pre-Pharmacy

Thirty percent of BioHealth Sciences students are in the pre-pharmacy program. The pre-pharmacy/BHS option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to pharmacy schools across the U.S., including OSU’s Doctor of Pharmacy professional program. Students are urged to carefully check admission requirements at their schools of interest and work closely with admission representatives in order to make sure they are meeting all current requirements.

Students may not combine the pre-pharmacy/biohealth sciences option with any other option offered with the BHS major.

Pre-Physical Therapy

The biohealth sciences major combined with the pre-physical therapy option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to PT programs across the U.S. Satisfactory completion of the pre-PT option facilitates, but does not guarantee, admission to a PT program; applicants are selected on a competitive basis. The option includes advanced courses in biology, kinesiology and psychology.

Students may not combine the pre-physical therapy option with any other option offered with the BHS major.

Pre-Physician Assistant

Physician assistants work in collaboration with doctors and are licensed to diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans and prescribe medications. The biohealth sciences major combined with the pre-physician assistant option is designed to meet most or all of the requirements for admission to PA programs across the U.S. Satisfactory completion of the pre-PA option facilitates, but does not guarantee, admission to a PA program. This option includes advanced courses in biology, public health and psychology.

Students may not study the pre-physician assistant option alongside any other option offered with the BHS major.