Question about major- "Investigative Medical Science"

[jab728]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am a sophomore currently taking pre-dental requirements like organic chem and molecular cell bio. Last year, I decided to switch my major from biology to "investigative medical science" in hopes of separating myself out from other applicants when it comes time to apply to dental school. Some of the upper division classes sound really interesting-- such as immunohematology and urinalysis, etc. The major shares a lot of classes with the biology major, but many of the upper division classes have different titles--such as "medical microbiology" or "clinical biochemistry", but I think they're basically the same as the standard microbio and biochem.

I was just wondering if this major will help or hurt me for getting into dental school. I know everyone says the major doesn't matter as long as you complete and do well in all the prereqs, but I just wanted to make sure I'm not wasting my time taking medically and clinically geared classes if dentals schools would prefer the regular ones instead.

Here is the sample schedule of the major that lists all the classes:

http://www.slu.edu/x5714.xml

Thanks!

 

[trident007]

You might want to be careful and double-check that your upper-level courses are accepted for the requirements by the dental schools. Clinical biochemistry, for example, is very different from the cellular and molecular biochem course you take in second year. So while it is not an issue with that course, I would make sure with other courses like microbiology that it is accepted.

P.S. I don't think it will help you or hurt you in terms of your application.

 

[jab728]

Thanks. I guess I will ask the pre-health professions advisor here. I visited/toured UoP this summer and talked to one of the admissions directors; when I asked her about it she said it depended on the course descriptions and that I should ask my advisor about it. I have a feeling my advisor is going to tell me to check with the dental schools 😕