Medical Sciences, B.S.

Saint Louis University’s medical sciences program meets the needs of students considering a variety of career paths in the health sciences. It is designed mainly as a pre-professional program for SLU students looking to advance in health care education. It is ideal preparation for medical, physician assistant, anesthesiologist assistant, dental, pharmacy, optometry or other health-related graduate programs.

Program Highlights 

SLU’s medical sciences program:

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

Curriculum Overview

SLU’s medical sciences curriculum provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to enhance their competitive edge in seeking employment or furthering 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 that can accommodate a 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

The advantages of SLU’s medical sciences program include a wide range of career paths available to graduates. They include:

Professional School and Programs

• Medical, dental, optometry, physician or anesthesiologist assistant
• Veterinary science, public health 
• Federal, state or municipal crime laboratory programs

​Graduate School

• Pathology, microbiology, pharmacology
• Physiology, forensic science

Medical Research 

• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control
• Pharmaceutical research
• Universities

Other Career Options

• Biotechnology technician
• Pharmaceutical technical or sales representative 

Admission Requirements

Freshmen Applicants

Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is the primary consideration when reviewing freshmen applications. 

Admission criteria include:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
• Four years of high school math (with algebra), biology, chemistry, and English, with some physics recommended
• Saint Louis University has moved to a test-optional admission process for all undergraduate programs. Applicants may submit standardized test scores, but those who choose not to will not be disadvantaged in any way in the admission process. 

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants must have at least a “C-” in all math and science coursework and a 2.70 cumulative GPA from an accredited college-level institution. Interested applicants who do not meet all the admission requirements should still apply for individual consideration. 

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:

• You must demonstrate English language proficiency.
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

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 SLU scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers scholarships to sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.
• Financial Aid: Provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

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

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

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 articulate a clear description of a medical science project.
3. Graduates will be able to apply clinical knowledge to analyze medical science data to develop a differential diagnosis.
4. Graduates will be able to exemplify the professional and ethical behaviors necessary for effective teamwork.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.70 GPA and earn a C- or better in math, science, and program specific courses (BLS or MLS prefix) including HSCI 3700 Research Methods (3 cr).

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

*

Students in the Pre-Medicine and Med Scholars tracks should take MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (3 cr).

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholar Track

Pre-Medicine Track

*

Students in the Pre-Medicine and Med Scholars tracks should take MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (3 cr).

Medical Scholars Track

*

Students in the Pre-Medicine and Med Scholars tracks should take MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) instead of MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (3 cr).

**

Upper Science requirement must be Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

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 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, anesthesiologist assistant, etc.) school.

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholars Track

Program Notes

The 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.

Medical Scholars Track

Program Notes

The Med Scholars 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.

Pre-Medicine Track

Program Notes

The 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 its website for specific requirements.

Apply for Admission

Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu