The Pre-Professional Studies Focus prepares students for careers in health care such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, and physical therapy. Students earning a degree with a Pre-Professional Studies Focus typically further their education at graduate schools or programs in specialized areas of study.

Students in the health professions are a diverse group with varied backgrounds and interests; however, all graduate schools or with professional programs seek similar characteristics in their applicants. Students must be strong academically, with a demonstrated ability in science and math. Furthermore, health professional students must show evidence of being self-motivated, responsible, and enthusiastic leaders with a commitment to helping others. UW-Superior can lay the groundwork for health-professional students by providing rigorous coursework and a wide range of opportunities for student involvement.

UW-Superior has a long history of excellence in the sciences. Students interested in health professional careers should plan on taking courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. First- and second-year students who intend to apply to a health professional school should work with their academic advisors to set forth a course of appropriate studies.

 Let's talk Pre-Professional Studies in Biology

• Small class sizes and hands-on labs provide opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty members.
• All biology majors complete a capstone experience. It can be a research project, an internship off campus or a seminar in which the student does extensive library research and writes a paper that will be presented at our annual undergraduate research symposium.
• Biology majors are eligible for Swenson Scholarships that pay for up to four years of tuition and books.

Work or Volunteer Experience

Faculty in the Department of Natural Sciences have diverse research interests and provide students with the opportunity to work side-by-side with them as student assistants on projects. Additional opportunities include working within the department as a student assistant or tutor. The department also routinely works with local hospitals and health care facilities to provide student volunteer and internship opportunities. Such experiences not only enhance a student's understanding of science, but provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate and practice their maturity, responsibility, trustworthiness, intellectual curiosity, and capability of leadership.

Extracurricular Activities

The Department of Natural Sciences at UW-Superior provides students with an assortment of activities outside the classroom. Student organizations associated with the department include the American Chemical Society, the Pre-Med/Pre- Professionals Club, and the Students of Science. These student organizations provide volunteer opportunities, organize educational events for the community, sponsor educational trips, and much more!

Letters of Recommendation

The small class sizes and research opportunities at UW-Superior ensure that students and faculty develop and maintain strong relationships throughout a student's academic career and beyond. Because of this close relationship, faculty members are well positioned to write letters of recommendation that specifically address a student's ability and aptitude for success.

What can you do with a degree in Pre-Professional tudies in Biology from UW-Superior?

Careers in the pre-professional health areas are continuing to grow. Graduates from UW-Superior's Biology program often go on to medical or professional schools.