• Pre-Clinical Perfusion
• Pre-Cytotechnology
• Pre-Dentistry
• Pre-Medicine
• Pre-Nuclear Medicine
• Pre-Occupational Therapy
• Pre-Optometry
• Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
• Pre-Physical Therapy
• Pre-Physician Assistant
• Pre-Podiatry

Essential Studies

Essential Studies requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete a program of study from the Department of Physical and Life Sciences:

• Will be able to consistently apply logical reasoning and critical thinking, not constrained by convention or prejudice.
• Will be fluent in the foundations of knowledge needed for tomorrow's scientists and teachers of science.
• Will have acquired, through knowledge and study, a sense of appreciation of our world.
• Will possess the skills of inquiry and study needed to understand the true nature of the universe.

The Degree of Bachelor of Science with a comprehensive major in Biology

This degree provides pre-health professionals an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree. This degree is not intended to replace a bachelor’s degree in a specific health profession; therefore, consultation with the Registrar and the Health Professions Office at Chadron State College regarding the appropriateness of this degree for each student is important.

A student must complete the core requirements, an option, and the Essential Studies requirements. Students pursuing a comprehensive major in biology should take MATH 138 or 232 as their Essential Studies Math requirement. NOTE: Students may earn only one option within the Biology Major, although they are encouraged to take additional courses to expand their scientific knowledge and abilities.

Some courses require successful completion of prerequisite courses prior to enrollment, as articulated in the catalog course descriptions. Successful completion means earning a “C” or better in the prerequisite course(s).

Human Biology Option

A student successfully completing this curriculum and completing 123 credit hours including 43 hours at the 300/400 level will earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology-Human Biology Option from Chadron State College.

As the professional school admission or graduation requirements may change after a student enters the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact their advisor at Chadron State College and the appropriate professional school program representative at least once each year for the latest program and admission requirements.

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• Pre-Chiropractic Medicine Option
• Pre-Pharmacy
• Pre-Radiography (RWMC)
• Pre-Vet
• General Health Care Option

This degree provides health professionals an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree. This degree is not intended to replace a bachelor’s degree in a specific health profession; therefore, consultation with the Registrar and the Health Professions Office at Chadron State College regarding the appropriateness of this degree for each student is important.

To be eligible for this degree, each student must have successfully completed one or more of the following in an appropriately accredited professional program:

1. A twelve month professional program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Medical Technology).
2. An eighteen month or longer professional program in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiation Therapy, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, Mortuary Science, or Respiratory Therapy.
3. One year of a professional program in Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Optometry, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Osteopathic Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, or a professional program in another of the health sciences that requires three or more years of study.

A student with eighteen months or more of professional education in a field not listed above may earn this degree by requesting specific permission and approval of the Registrar and the Health Professions Office. Chadron State College will determine the appropriate application of credits for each professional program listed by each applicant.

The professional program(s) attended must require a high school diploma or equivalent as an entrance requirement and have at least 25% of the training program as academic work in the classroom. The remaining 75% can be clinical training. The student is responsible for proving these conditions exist.

To earn this degree the student must complete at least 30 semester hours of Chadron State College credit before or after the professional program of studies, the comprehensive major as subsequently described, 45 upper division hours, 125 semester hours of college credit, and the General Studies requirements as subsequently listed. Should the professional program component not total 35 semester hours the student must earn additional Chadron State College credit at the upper division level to meet the 125 total credit hour minimum.

Admission requirements to a professional program and thus graduation requirements may change between the date a catalog is printed and the date a student may expect to be graduated. Therefore, each student must consult with the Health Professions Office/Advisor and the Registrar’s Office at CSC as well as the professional school(s) of their choice at least once each calendar year for the latest requirements.

Pre-Chiropractic

For admission into: Most Professional Programs in Chiropractic in the United States.

As the Chiropractic admission or graduation requirements may change after a student enters the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Pre-Chiropractic advisor at Chadron State College and the appropriate Chiropractic program representative at least once each year for the latest program and admission requirements.

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Pre-Pharmacy

For admission into: The majority of Pharmacy Schools.

As the Pharmacy admission or graduation requirements may change after a student enters the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Pre- Pharmacy advisor at Chadron State College and the appropriate Pharmacy program representative at least once each year for the latest program and admission requirements.

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Pre-Radiography

For admission into: Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology & Rapid City Regional Hospital School of Radiologic Technology Only.

This program is specific to Regional West Medical Center (RWMC) and Rapid City Regional Hospital (RCRH) Radiologic Program. Students must complete the core requirements as well as the courses listed below and all the prerequisites and required courses in the Radiologic Technology Certificate Program. Degree requirements may be different for other accredited Radiologic Technology Programs.

As admission requirements may be changed by the professional school at any time, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the pre-radiography advisor at CSC and the appropriate representative of the professional school at least once each year for the latest admission requirements.

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Pre-Vet

As admission requirements vary by each professional school, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the pre-veterinary medicine advisor at CSC to develop the proper curriculum at the time of enrollment and thereafter.

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General Health Care Option

The General Health Care Option of the Health Sciences Degree is available only to students pursuing a career choice for which an option is not described. The selected professional program must meet the standards as listed in the beginning information for the Health Sciences Degree. The elective courses for this option will be selected by the student and the student’s advisor at Chadron State College, reviewed by the Health Professions Director and the Department Chair of the Physical and Life Sciences Department, and approved by the Dean of Curriculum and Graduate Studies. The Program courses selected for this option must total 27-30 semester credit hours. The courses selected will typically be in the science and mathematics areas but can be from other disciplines if it best serves the needs of the student. The program form is available from the Health Professions Office. The completed degree plan must be filed with the Record's Office, the Health Professions Office, and the student's advisor.

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• Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) Option
• Pre-Dental Hygiene
• Pre-Mortuary Science
• Pre-Nursing
• Pre-Radiography

A non-degree program in health professions is for pre-professional development in the following areas. A student will receive their degree at the health care institution they are transferring to. Please contact the CSC faculty advisor for each discipline.

Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science

For admission into: University of Nebraska Medical Center Clinical Laboratory Science Program and the majority of other professional programs.

As the Clinical Laboratory Science admission or graduation requirements may change after a student enters the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Pre- Clinical Laboratory Science advisor at Chadron State College and the appropriate Clinical Laboratory Science program representative at least once each year for the latest program and admission requirements.

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Pre-Dental Hygiene

For admission into: University of Nebraska Medical Center Dental Hygiene Program and most other Dental Hygiene schools.

Please consult with the Dental Hygiene Academic Advisor at Chadron State College for substitutions in this Curriculum.

As the professional school admission or graduation requirements may change after a student enters the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact their advisor at Chadron State College and the appropriate professional school program representative at least once each year for the latest program and admission requirements.

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Pre-Mortuary Science

For licensure in the State of Nebraska and admission into most schools of Mortuary Science in the United States.

The courses listed above exceed those required for licensure in Nebraska; however, the optional courses are considered beneficial to a person seeking a career as a mortician. A partial listing of the licensure requirements in Nebraska are as follows: 1. Six semester hours of English. 2. Six semester hours of Accounting. 3. Eight Semester Hours of Chemistry. 4. Twelve semester hours of a biological science relating to the human body. 5. Six semester hours of psychology or counseling and 6. A total of 60 semester hours of college credit in addition to a full course of instruction in an accredited school of mortuary science. The student must obtain a complete set of licensure requirements by contacting the Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure, Credentialing Division, Nebraska State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South-Third Floor, P.O. Box 94986, Lincoln, NE, 68509-4986. The document to be requested is called the State of Nebraska "Statutes Relating To Funeral Directing and Embalming and Funeral Establishments".

*Students that have not had high school chemistry are required to take Fundamental Chemistry (CHEM 121) before enrolling in College Chemistry I & II (CHEM 131/131L & 132/132L).

The student can make many changes in this curriculum and still meet licensure requirements; however, they must make these changes in consultation with the pre-mortuary science advisor at CSC.

The State of Nebraska and the professional school(s) of interest to the student can change their licensure and admission requirements, respectively, at any time; thus, it is the student's responsibility to obtain the latest licensure and admission requirements for an accredited school of mortuary science at least once each year. The student should also consult with the pre-mortuary science advisor at CSC each year.

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Pre-Nursing

For admission into: University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing and most other Nursing schools

*Students who have not taken High School Chemistry are required to enroll in Fundamental Chemistry (CHEM 121) before enrolling in Survey of Chemistry and Lab or College Chemistry I and Lab. Students who have a good background in Chemistry and Math may enroll in Chem 131 and 131L.
**Student must provide evidence of readiness for College Algebra.  This can be satisfied by a score of 22 or higher on the Math portion of the ACT taken within the last two years, a math placement exam, or completing Intermediate Algebra prior to entry into the College of Nursing.

Student must complete a minimum of 50 credits to be admitted to the nursing program.  It would be in the student's best interest to have completed 55-60 credits.

As the professional school admission or graduation requirements may change after a student enters the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact their advisor at Chadron State College and the appropriate professional school program representative at least once each year for the latest program and admission requirements.

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Pre-Radiography

For admission into: University of Nebraska Medical Center Radiography Program and most other Radiography schools.

*Students who have not had high school chemistry are required to take MATH 121: Fundamental Chemistry prior to enrolling in CHEM 140/140L: General Chemistry.
**Students are encouraged to enroll in math courses for which they have the background. The student can select MATH 142: College Algebra, MATH 134: Plane Trigonometry, MATH 135: Pre-Calculus, MATH 151: Calculus, or MATH 138: Applied Calculus as their first course in mathematics at CSC. MATH 142: College Algebra or higher math course and MATH 232: Applied Statistics are required for admission into the UNMC Radiography Program.
***Students proficient in writing are encouraged to register for advanced composition courses. This includes ENG 239: Advanced Composition, ENG 339: Creative Writing, and ENG 333: News-Journalism.

As the professional school admission or graduation requirements may change after a student enters the program, it is the responsibility of the student to contact their advisor at Chadron State College and the appropriate professional school program representative at least once each year for the latest program and admission requirements.

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