Preparing to attend dental school? This pre-health specialization track will help
you build a successful career path.
Interested in eliminating mouth pain and increasing oral health? You could be ready
for a career as a dentist. Dentistry offers career independence and flexibility.
Pre-Dentistry is not a major, but it is a plan of study to begin your career in dentistry.
By combining the prerequisite classes for dental school with any major, you'll get
the comprehensive preparatory education needed for dental school. You'll work with
an advisor within the UND College of Arts & Sciences to develop a plan of study specifically
for dental school. Some classes required for dental school are:
Biology
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physics
English Composition
College Algebra
Calculus
Statistics
Psychology
Biochemistry
Art
Dental schools do not require any particular major. Pre-Dentistry students have completed
such majors as:
Dentists diagnose and treat disease of the teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth.
Most dentists are general practitioners and handle a variety of dental needs. Other
dentists practice in a specialty area such as:
Pediatric dentistry
Dental anesthesiology
Endodontics
Oral surgery
Orthodontics
Dentists in private practice often employ and oversee dental hygienists, dental assistants,
and administrative staff.
With a faster-than-average growth rate for dentist employment, you can be assured
of a good chance at quality employment after dental school. As studies continue to
link oral health to overall health, dentists will continue to see an increase in demand
for their services.
If you choose not to purse dental school, there are many other dental hygiene, dental
laboratory, biology and health-related careers you could pursue.
Pre-Dentistry Program Courses
BIOL 150. General Biology I. 3 Credits.
Basic concepts of biology with emphasis on the process of science, metabolism, cell biology, plant and animal form and function, and physiology. Broadly designed to satisfy the needs of those pursuing biological and preprofessional curricula. F.
CHEM 341. Organic Chemistry I. 3 Credits.
Designed for science and pre-professional students. Structure and bonding, acid-base reactions, nomenclature, stereochemistry, functional groups, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides and alcohols. Application of spectrometric methods (NMR, IR and MS) for identification of organic compounds. Prerequisite: CHEM 122 with a grade of C or better and CHEM 122L; or CHEM 254 and CHEM 254L. F,S.
BIMD 301. Biochemistry. 3 Credits.
Introductory exploration of major concepts in biochemistry. The four main knowledge themes are macromolecular structure and function, energy transformation, metabolic regulation and integration, and information flow. Students will practice skills in molecular visualization, critical thinking, and working in small groups. Prerequisite: CHEM 340 or CHEM 341 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: BIOL 150 and CHEM 342 are recommended. S.
BIOL 315. Genetics. 3 Credits.
An introduction to genetics, with emphasis on classical genetic analysis and the biochemistry of gene transmission, expression and regulation. Prerequisite: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, and BIOL 151L or an equivalent approved by the department. F.
ENGL 110. College Composition I. 3 Credits.
Immersion in college-level critical reading and expository writing, emphasizing revision and careful preparation of manuscripts. The credit from this course will not count toward an English major or minor. F,S.
BIOL 420. Neuroscience. 3 Credits.
A course covering fundamental areas of neuroscience including neuroanatomy, cell and molecular neurobiology, sensory systems, motor systems, regulatory systems, nervous system development, and cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Prerequisite: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, BIOL 151L, and junior standing. F.
Leader in Dentistry
Pre-dentistry student, Merrick McMahon, aims to improve health care in tribal communities.
