College of Science

Bachelor of Science in Zoology
Early Admission Option to Professional Schools
of Dentistry or Medicine

Although most medical and dental schools require a minimum of three years of undergraduate college work before considering an application to their programs, the vast majority of entering medical and dental students have four years of college work and a bachelor’s degree. The number of students accepted prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree is very low. Therefore, most students interested in a career in medicine or dentistry are encouraged to pursue a four-year undergraduate curriculum. Exceptional students who gain admission to medical or dental school after three years of undergraduate work will qualify for a B.S. degree in Zoology upon successful completion of the first year of professional school and the program of courses outlined below.

Any student may qualify for the B.S. degree in Zoology from Texas A&M University by completing the curriculum below and at least one full year of acceptable work at an accredited American medical or dental school.

Students wishing to enter the Texas A&M program in medicine should consult The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Catalog for the preprofessional course requirements.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
BIOL 111 Introductory Biology (3-3) 4   BIOL 112 Introductory Biology (3-3) 4
CHEM 101 Fund. of Chemistry I (3-0) 3   CHEM 102 Fund. of Chemistry II (3-0) 3
CHEM 111 Fund. of Chemistry I Lab. (0-3) 1   CHEM 112 Fund. of Chemistry II Lab. (0-3) 1
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric (3-0) 3   HIST 105 History of the U.S. 2 (3-0) 3
MATH 166 Topics in Contemporary Mathematics II 1 (3-0) 3   MATH 131 Mathematical Concepts--Calculus 1 (3-0) 3
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity (0-2) 1   * KINE 199 Required Physical Activity (0-2) 1
    15       15

SUMMER SESSION

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr        
POLS 206 American Natl. Govt. (3-0) 3
POLS 207 State and Local Govt. (3-0) 3
    6

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
BIOL 213 Molecular Cell Biology (3-0) 3   BIOL 388 Prin. of Animal Physiology (3-3) 4
CHEM 227 Organic Chemistry I (3-0) 3   CHEM 228 Organic Chemistry II (3-0) 3
CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry Lab. I (0-3) 1   CHEM 238 Organic Chemistry Lab. II (0-3) 1
HIST 106 History of the U.S. 2 (3-0) 3   PHYS 202 College Physics (3-3) 4
PHYS 201 College Physics (3-3) 4   Communication elective (3-0) 3
    14       15

SUMMER SESSION

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr        
Humanities elective (3-0) 3
Social and behavioral sciences elective (3-0) 3
    6

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
BIOL 318 Chordate Anatomy (3-3) 4   BICH 411 Comp. Biochemistry II (3-0) 3
BICH 410 Comp. Biochem. I (3-0) 3   BIOL 344 Embryology (3-3) 4
GENE 302 Genetics (3-3) 4   Visual and performing arts elective   3
or       Electives 3   6
GENE 320 Biomedical Genetics (3-0) 3   Writing intensive course in major4   1-3
STAT 302 Statistical Methods (3-0) 3       17-19
Elective   4        
    17-18        
Total Hours
105-106

Suggested electives: (Free) BICH 431; BIOL 319, 320, 351, 405, 413, 414, 434, 436; PLAN 370; VAPH 343.

Social and behavioral sciences: PSYC 306, 307; SOCI 425.

Humanities: CLAS 215; PHIL 480.

NOTES:
  1. Students in any degree program may substitute MATH 171 and 172 or MATH 151 and 152 for MATH 166 and 131. MATH 150 cannot be used for credit.
  2. Students may choose HIST 105 and 106 or any 6 hours of U.S. history courses (3 hours may be in Texas history).
  3. Biology electives in the Early Admissions Option may be chosen from a wide variety of courses; however, Fundamentals of Microbiology (BIOL 351) and Histology (VAPH 343) are strongly recommended.
  4. To be chosen in consultation with an academic advisor.

* University Core Curriculum, item 7.