Pre-Medicine: Chemistry (BS)

Why Choose a Pre-Med Chem Program?

Chemistry is one of the most valuable undergraduate majors for future med school students and for good reason. It’s closely linked to other scientific disciplines and is central to understanding all aspects of the natural world.

A pre-med chem program offers a comprehensive background in inorganic, organic, physical, and analytical chemistry. The experimentation and problem-solving skills you will hone in this major also align well with fast-growing, innovative fields such as biotechnology, forensic science, and medicinal chemistry — preparation suitable for immediate hire or graduate programs.

Why Saint Francis’ Pre-Med Chem Program?

The University of Saint Francis has a strong reputation for preparing our graduates to serve others as compassionate, socially responsible healthcare professionals. Our comprehensive, rigorous pre-med curriculum, along with enriching hands-on experiences and one-on-one advising, will prepare you well for the MCATs and medical school admissions.

Accelerated MD and Graduate Degree Options

Saint Francis’ pre-med chem program offers students several opportunities for accelerated admission to graduate and professional school.

Pre-Med to DO Program with Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine

A sister Franciscan institution, the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University Indianapolis offers a faith-based approach to physician training. Our partnership offers two options:

• Early Acceptance Track – guarantees an admission interview in September of your senior year, with a final decision by Sept. 30.
• Guaranteed Interview Track – offers an admission interview in October of your senior year, with an admissions decision within one week

View admissions requirements.

Pre-Med to Master of Pharmacogenomics at Manchester University

Pharmacogenomics (PGx), also known as personalized medicine, is one of the fastest-growing scientific disciplines. A master’s degree in PGx prepares you for careers in medicinal chemistry, genetic testing, and pharmaceuticals, and for medical school and Ph.D. programs.

• Our partnership reserves spots in its on-campus for four qualified Saint Francis students

View admissions requirements.

Personalized Pre-Med Advising

Saint Francis’ pre-med chem program offers one-on-one advising from a medical school admissions expert, who will help:

• Determine the best medical schools and programs for you
• Develop your medical school admissions materials
• Ensure you meet med school application deadlines
• Prepare you for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Real-World Experiences: Research and Internships

Pre-med students interested in research, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and medicinal chemistry get hands-on experience in professional settings through internships and on- and off-campus research.

Internship sites include research labs, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare facilities throughout the region, including:

• Cooke Polymer Technology
• Fort Wayne Metals Lab
• A&L Great Lakes Laboratory
• Bethesda Lutheran Communities

And pre-med chem program students have conducted research with faculty scientists at Saint Francis, as well as through fellowship at off-site labs:

• Argonne National Laboratory
• American Chemical Society Nuclear and Radiochemistry Summer School
• Midwestern Alliance for Healthcare Education Program (Parkview Health)

Research Spotlight:
Lead Paint Project Bringing Meaning to Lab Work

Since 2017, Saint Francis chemistry majors have teamed up with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health to test and analyze area homes for lead-based paint. This community-based project opportunity connects chemistry to public health, medicine, and environmental science. Read the full story.

Faculty and Facilities

Inside the Achatz Hall of Science, a Distinction Winner in Spaces4Learning’s 2020 Educational Design Showcase, you will learn, experiment, and discover in state-of-the-art chemistry labs equipped with high-tech equipment, tools, and instrumentation.

Your dedicated pre-med professors have a diverse range of research interests and professional experience:

• Anatomy
• Community health education
• Epidemiology/population health
• Forensic chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry
• Medical ethics
• Organic chemistry
• Virology

You will also learn and work with instructors and lab staff who are active practitioners, clinicians, technicians and healthcare business professionals who bring up-to-date skills, research and best practices to the classroom

Campus and Community Involvement

Saint Francis students will find many ways to get involved on campus and in the community. Organizations that might appeal to pre-med and chemistry majors include:

• Chemistry
• Kinesiology and Nutrition Club
• Pre-Professional Healthcare Honor Society
• Criminologists in Action

Medical School Acceptance: Graduate and Professional Programs

Our chemistry pre-med students have been accepted at into medical programs at institutions such as:

• Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Indiana University School of Medicine
• Indiana University School of Optometry
• Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Midwestern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine