Saint Louis University's investigative and medical sciences (IMS) program meets the needs of students considering any of a wide variety of career paths in the health sciences. It is designed mainly as a pre-professional program for students looking to advance in health care education and is ideal preparation medical, physician assistant, dental, pharmaceutical, optometry, or other health-related graduate programs.

Program Highlights

SLU's investigative and medical sciences program:

• Focuses on human health and diagnostic studies
• Consistently has a low student-faculty ratio which allows for more individualized attention
• Provides students opportunities to conduct research with faculty members, to present their research findings at professional conferences and to have their work published in various journals

Curriculum Overview

SLU's investigative and medical sciences curriculum provides graduates with the knowledge and skills that will enhance their competitive edge in seeking employment or further their education in professional programs, especially medical and physician assistant schools.

This curriculum offers:

• Basic science courses that are required for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and for admission into medical school
• A strong foundation in both basic sciences and medical courses in various areas of diagnostic medicine such as urinalysis and body fluids, medical biochemistry, hematology and hemostasis, fundamental immunology, immunohematology and medical microbiology
• An excellent option for medical and physician assistant scholars
• A uniquely flexible curriculum which includes ample elective credits that can be used to earn a second major, minor, certificate, or combination to meet the student’s professional goals. Pre-medicine, Medical Scholar, pre-physician assistant (PA) and PA Scholars curricula are the main options for degree candidates.
• An active student association sponsoring service projects, social events, fundraisers and trips to professional conferences
• Opportunities for research

Clinical and Research Opportunities

Students will have the opportunity to conduct research and produce projects and papers for publication and presentation at professional conferences.

Careers

One of the advantages of SLU's investigative and medical sciences program includes a wide range of career paths available to graduates. They include: 

• Professional School and Programs
  • Medical, dental, optometry, physician assistant
  • Veterinary science, public health 
  • Federal, state or municipal crime laboratory programs
• Medical Research 
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Centers for Disease Control
  • Pharmaceutical research
  • Universities
• Other Career Options
  • Biotechnology technician
  • Pharmaceutical technical or sales representative 
• Graduate School
  • Pathology, microbiology, pharmacology
  • Physiology, forensic science 

Admission Requirements

Admission consideration for SLU's investigative and medical sciences program is based on a strong overall academic background. 

Admission criteria include:

• Minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in high school chemistry, biology, mathematics and English
• Four years of high school math (with algebra) and English. 
• Physics is recommended
• Minimum ACT score of 20 in each subsection or an SAT of 520 or above in each area

Transfer applicants must have at least a 2.50 GPA in math and science coursework and a 2.50 cumulative GPA from an accredited college-level institution. Interested applicants who do not meet all the admission requirements should still apply for individual consideration. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers a scholarship to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
• Financial Aid: Provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the Jesuit value of "women and men for and with others" to promote service in the medical sciences.
2. Graduates will be able to communicate accurate medical science content with others.
3. Graduates will be able to critically evaluate data in the medical sciences.
4. Graduates will be able to apply clinical knowledge to interpret medical science data to develop a differential diagnosis.
5. Graduates will be able to act with professional integrity.

Students in Saint Louis University's investigative and medical sciences major take the following courses. 

Standard Track

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholar Track

Pre-Medicine Track

 Medical Scholars Track

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average (GPA).

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Standard Track

Program Notes

The IMS standard curriculum contains a series of electives which allows students to select courses that meet their career goals such as entrance to graduate or professional (dental, veterinary, optometry, pharmacy, etc) school.

Suggested Elective Options

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.

• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR

• Social Science: PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT), SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr) (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSYCH, SOC

• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.

Pre-Physician Assistant & PA Scholars Track

Program Notes

The IMS Pre-PA curriculum is based on the SLU PA program requirements and is not guaranteed to meet all the prerequisites of all PA programs. Prospective PA students need to identify the programs to which they intend to apply and ascertain what courses are needed to fulfill the application requirements for those schools.

Suggested Elective Options

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.
• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR
• Social Science: PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT) SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr) (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSYCH, SOC
• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.

Medical Scholars Track

Program Notes

The IMS Pre-Medicine curriculum is designed to address SLU’s School of Medicine requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a medical school at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Suggested Elective Options

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.
• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR
• Social Science: PSY 1010 General Psychology (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT), SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSY, SOC
• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.

Pre-Medicine Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s School of Medicine requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a medical school at another institution, please consult its website for specific requirements.

Suggested Elective Options

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.
• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR
• Social Science: PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT), SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr) (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSYCH, SOC
• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact:
Julie Miller
Recruitment Specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu