Pre-Dental Track Information

What classes do I need to take? Courses Required or Recommended

Dental School admission requirements are determined by each dental school, but there are five, 2-semester courses that are required at most dental schools. Since a dental school can add additional courses to its requirements at anytime, it is essential that a student looks up the most up-to-date information directly from the dental schools.

Courses Required at Most Dental Schools: (2 semesters each)

• General biology with lab (Bio 240 & 260 & 280)
• General chemistry with lab (Chem 125/127 & 126/128 or Chem 131/132)
• Organic chemistry with lab (Chem 221/255 & 231/256)
• Physics with lab (Phys 121/141 & 122/142 or 105/107 & 106/108)
• English (Eng 113 and either 231 or 232)

The above courses may be completed during the first 3 years, so the student is appropriately prepared for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The DAT covers basic material in biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The DAT also includes sections testing perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. Students take the DAT after sophomore or junior year.

Recommended Courses or Courses Required at Some Dental Schools:

• Biochemistry (Chem 311* & 314)
• Psychology (Psy 100* & 230)
• Mathematics (Calculus or Statistics)
• Microbiology (Bio 231 or 301)*
• Anatomy (Kin 200 or Bio 332)
• Sociology (Soc 101)*
• Physiology (Bio 221 or 442)

  *Required at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry

What do I major in? Choice of Major

Dental schools seek students with diverse and broad academic backgrounds. Students should select a major area of study that is of interest and that will provide a foundation of knowledge necessary for the pursuit of several career alternatives. Dental schools are most concerned with the overall quality and scope of undergraduate work and level of rigor; not with the specific academic major. While many students who are pursuing a career in dentistry are interested in the sciences and major in one of the sciences, others with interests in the social sciences, humanities, or the arts, may major in one of those areas.

More Important Pre-Dental Track Information

For academic advising related to the Pre-Dental Track at Hope College, please contact Professor T Prokopow.