Biology and Health Career Preparation
Learn how the programs in the Department of Biology prepare you for a wide range of careers in health care and health sciences.
Planning Your Health Career
Our biology programs prepare you to pursue a wide range of post-baccalaureate health careers. For example, consider a BS in Biology degree, perhaps with a concentration in biomedical sciences, or a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology if you are interested in cellular mechanisms and research, or a BA in Biology to maximize your flexibility and course choices.
Here you can explore professional requirements for health-related post-baccalaureate programs, including links to the professional associations, admission requirements and recommendations in biology for each discipline.
Our degree programs and course offerings enable you to prepare for whatever health career you have in mind. Your faculty advisor will work with you to choose courses, organize your schedule and plan for your future.
Prepare for your health career by majoring in biology. Learn more about preparing for specific career paths below.
For DDS programs, application processes usually begin a year or more in advance of anticipated admission, and most schools require the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Specific course and testing requirements vary among schools; please check prerequisites of each school to which you will apply. 
Other careers in the dental field include hygiene, assisting, public health and more. Dental and dental-related education programs at the post-secondary level may be searched through the ADA's Council on Dental Accreditation, which includes Dental Anesthesiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Orthodontics, Periodontics and more.
Below is a list of Seattle University biology courses required and recommended for entry into a typical dentistry school.
Admission Requirements in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
3 Quarters of Biology | BIOL 1610+11: Cellular & Molecular Biology |
BIOL 1620+21: Evolution & Ecology | |
BIOL 1630+31: Physiology & Development | |
2 Quarters of Microbiology | BIOL 3100: Principles of Microbiology |
BIOL 4100: Medical Microbiology |
Admission Recommendations in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
Genetics | BIOL 2700: Genetics |
Cell Biology | BIOL 4750+4751: Cell Biology |
Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 2200: Anatomy & Physiology I |
BIOL 2210: Anatomy & Physiology II | |
BIOL 3250: Vertebrate Anatomy | |
BIOL 3880: Animal Physiology | |
Molecular Biology | BIOL 2750+51: Biotechnology |
BIOL 3750: Protein Projects Lab | |
BIOL 3760: Molecular Biology Projects Lab | |
BIOL 4700: Molecular Genetics | |
Health-Related Sciences | BIOL 3150: Virology |
BIOL 3180: Therapeutics of Disease | |
BIOL 3300: Developmental Biology | |
BIOL 3500: Evolution | |
BIOL 3820: Neurobiology | |
BIOL 4150: Immunology |
For medical and osteopathic medicine schools, application processes often begin a year or more in advance of anticipated admission, and most schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Refer to the AAMC for Medical prerequisites (Medical School Admission Requirements™ for applicants) and the AACOM for Osteopathic prerequisites (AACOM Admission Requirements). Specific course requirements vary among schools; please check prerequisites of each school to which you will apply.
Below is a list of Seattle University biology courses required and recommended for entry into a typical medical or osteopathic school.
Admission Requirements in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
3 Quarters of Biology | BIOL 1610+11: Cellular & Molecular Biology |
BIOL 1620+21: Evolution & Ecology | |
BIOL 1630+31: Physiology & Development |
Admission Recommendations in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
Genetics | BIOL 2700: Genetics |
Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 2200: Anatomy & Physiology I |
BIOL 2210: Anatomy & Physiology II | |
BIOL 3250: Vertebrate Anatomy | |
BIOL 3880: Animal Physiology | |
Microbiology | BIOL 3100: Principles of Microbiology |
BIOL 4100: Medical Microbiology | |
Cell Biology | BIOL 4750+4751: Cell Biology |
Molecular Biology | BIOL 2750+51: Biotechnology |
BIOL 3750: Protein Projects Lab | |
BIOL 3760: Molecular Biology Projects Lab | |
BIOL 4700: Molecular Genetics | |
Health-Related Sciences | BIOL 3150: Virology |
BIOL 3180: Therapeutics of Disease | |
BIOL 3300: Developmental Biology | |
BIOL 3500: Evolution | |
BIOL 3820: Neurobiology | |
BIOL 4150: Immunology |
For pharmacy programs, application deadlines range widely, beginning over a year in advance. Most pharmacy programs require the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Refer to the professional association, AACP, for details. Specific course requirements vary among schools; please check prerequisites of each school to which you will apply.
Below is a list of Seattle University biology courses required and recommended for entry into a typical pharmacy school.
Admission Requirements in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
3 Quarters of Biology | BIOL 1610+11: Cellular & Molecular Biology |
BIOL 1620+21: Evolution & Ecology | |
BIOL 1630+31: Physiology & Development | |
2 Quarters of Microbiology | BIOL 3100: Principles of Microbiology |
BIOL 4100: Medical Microbiology | |
2 Quarters of Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 2200: Anatomy & Physiology I |
BIOL 2210: Anatomy & Physiology II |
Admission Recommendations in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
Genetics | BIOL 2700: Genetics |
Cell Biology | BIOL 4750+4751: Cell Biology |
Molecular Biology | BIOL 2750+51: Biotechnology |
BIOL 3750: Protein Projects Lab | |
BIOL 3760: Molecular Biology Projects Lab | |
BIOL 4700: Molecular Genetics | |
Health-Related Sciences | BIOL 3150: Virology |
BIOL 3180: Therapeutics of Disease | |
BIOL 3300: Developmental Biology | |
BIOL 3500: Evolution | |
BIOL 3820: Neurobiology | |
BIOL 4150: Immunology |
For physical therapy schools (to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT), application deadlines range widely, beginning over a year in advance. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is often required. The American Physical Therapy Association also has information on Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) training. Refer to APTA for all details. Specific course requirements vary among schools; please check prerequisites of each school to which you will apply.
Below is a list of Seattle University biology courses required and recommended for entry into a typical physical therapy school.
Admission Requirements in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
3 Quarters of Biology | BIOL 1610+11: Cellular & Molecular Biology |
BIOL 1620+21: Evolution & Ecology | |
BIOL 1630+31: Physiology & Development | |
2 Quarters of Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 2200: Anatomy & Physiology I |
BIOL 2210: Anatomy & Physiology II |
Admission Recommendations in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
Health-Related Sciences | BIOL 3180: Therapeutics of Disease |
BIOL 3250: Vertebrate Anatomy | |
BIOL 3300: Developmental Biology | |
BIOL 3500: Evolution | |
BIOL 3820: Neurobiology | |
BIOL 3880: Animal Physiology |
For physician assistant programs application deadlines range widely, beginning over a year in advance, and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is often required. Refer to the professional association, AAPA, for details. Specific course requirements vary among schools; please check prerequisites of each school to which you will apply.
Below is a list of Seattle University biology courses required and recommended for entry into a typical physician assistant program.
Admission Requirements in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
3 Quarters of Biology | BIOL 1610+11: Cellular & Molecular Biology |
BIOL 1620+21: Evolution & Ecology | |
BIOL 1630+31: Physiology & Development | |
2 Quarters of Microbiology | BIOL 3100: Principles of Microbiology |
BIOL 4100: Medical Microbiology | |
2 Quarters of Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 2200: Anatomy & Physiology I |
BIOL 2210: Anatomy & Physiology II |
Admission Recommendations in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
Genetics | BIOL 2700: Genetics |
Cell Biology | BIOL 4750+4751: Cell Biology |
Molecular Biology | BIOL 2750+51: Biotechnology |
BIOL 3750: Protein Projects Lab | |
BIOL 3760: Molecular Biology Projects Lab | |
BIOL 4700: Molecular Genetics | |
Health-Related Sciences | BIOL 3150: Virology |
BIOL 3180: Therapeutics of Disease | |
BIOL 3300: Developmental Biology | |
BIOL 3500: Evolution | |
BIOL 3820: Neurobiology | |
BIOL 4150: Immunology |
For public or global health graduate programs, specific course requirements vary among schools; please check prerequisites of each school to which you will apply.
Below is a list of Seattle University biology courses that may be recommended for entry into a typical public health program.
Admission Recommendations in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
Biology | BIOL 1610+11: Cellular & Molecular Biology |
BIOL 1620+21: Evolution & Ecology | |
BIOL 1630+31: Physiology & Development | |
Genetics | BIOL 2700: Genetics |
Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 2200: Anatomy & Physiology I |
BIOL 2210: Anatomy & Physiology II | |
BIOL 3250: Vertebrate Anatomy | |
BIOL 3880: Animal Physiology | |
Microbiology | BIOL 3100: Principles of Microbiology |
BIOL 4100: Medical Microbiology | |
Cell Biology | BIOL 4750+4751: Cell Biology |
Molecular Biology | BIOL 2750+51: Biotechnology |
BIOL 3750: Protein Projects Lab | |
BIOL 3760: Molecular Biology Projects Lab | |
BIOL 4700: Molecular Genetics | |
Computational Biology | BIOL 2730: Bioinformatics |
Health-Related Biology | BIOL 3150: Virology |
BIOL 3180: Therapeutics of Disease | |
BIOL 3300: Developmental Biology | |
BIOL 3820: Neurobiology | |
BIOL 4150: Immunology | |
Global-Related Biology | BIOL 2350: Invertebrate Zoology and Biodiversity Science |
BIOL 2520: Plant Systematics | |
BIOL 2600: Ecology | |
BIOL 3500: Evolution | |
BIOL 3650: Marine Biology | |
BIOL 3850: Plant Physiology | |
BIOL 4650: Conservation Biology |
For veterinary medicine, the application process typically begins over a year in advance of anticipated admission. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required by most veterinary schools, and some also require the Biology Subject GRE. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is also accepted by some schools in place of the GRE. Consult with individual institutions and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges for details. Specific course requirements vary among schools; please check prerequisites of each school to which you will apply.
Below is a list of Seattle University biology courses required and recommended for entry into a typical veterinary school.
Admission Requirements in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
3 Quarters of Biology | BIOL 1610+11: Cellular & Molecular Biology |
BIOL 1620+21: Evolution & Ecology | |
BIOL 1630+31: Physiology & Development |
Admission Recommendations in Biology:
Content Area | Course(s) |
---|---|
Genetics | BIOL 2700: Genetics |
Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 3250: Vertebrate Anatomy |
BIOL 3880: Animal Physiology | |
Microbiology | BIOL 3100: Principles of Microbiology |
BIOL 4100: Medical Microbiology | |
Cell Biology | BIOL 4750+4751: Cell Biology |
Health-Related Sciences | BIOL 3150: Virology |
BIOL 3180: Therapeutics of Disease | |
BIOL 3300: Developmental Biology | |
BIOL 3500: Evolution | |
BIOL 3800: Animal Behavior | |
BIOL 3820: Neurobiology | |
BIOL 4150: Immunology |
Health Science Career Questions?
Consult with our pre-health advising.