Gain a strong foundation for graduate studies and training in the medical sciences with the Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional Human Medicine Track at FranU. The multidisciplinary program equips you with a solid knowledge base in biology and chemistry while giving you enough flexibility to tailor your plan of study for your future goals.
Participate in internships to enhance your studies and develop practical laboratory and research skills through rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry, anatomy and microbiology. Faculty offer mentorship as you work toward building a competitive application for graduate school, and over three-quarters of biology graduates are ultimately accepted to their first-choice programs, with two-thirds successful on their first try.
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Learn more about the pre-professional human medicine track at FranU to discover how the program can help you on your path to graduate school!
Gear up for graduate medical programs - Designed to meet the prerequisites of many graduate clinical programs (e.g., MD/DO, PA, DPT, DDS, DVM), experience a curriculum offering rigorous, hands-on coursework and service-learning education.
Benefit from engaged faculty - Enrich your experience with one-on-one attention from faculty who offer academic and career mentorship and actively conduct research in their field.
Hone a broad range of skills - Your academic journey reflects your interests through electives that sharpen your problem-solving abilities and courses that cover an array of topics in human health.
Gain practical experience - Apply your knowledge and expertise in a range of hands-on activities, internship opportunities, SETH simulation exercises and the research-focused senior project.
To apply to FranU, you must meet the following requirements:
OR an acceptable HiSET exam score of 60 or higher.
OR a General Education Development (GED) test score of 500 or higher.
ACT composite score of 20
SAT math and verbal combined score of 1040
ACT Math subscore 18 or higher
AKEKS Math score of 30 or higher
SAT Math subscore 500 or higher
Accuplacer Quantitative Reasoning ≥250
CLEP College Algebra 50 or higher
Learn more about how to apply and application materials by visiting the Undergraduate Admissions Requirements page.
To join the Pre-Professional Human Medicine track in the Biology program:
Declare the Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional Human Medicine Track prior to completing the final 60 credit hours required for the degree.
Meet with a faculty advisor to develop a degree plan.
The mission of the Biology Program at ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ is to create quality educational experiences in all areas of biology and chemistry, especially those integral to the health of the population. The core principles of scientific inquiry and ethics serve to integrate coursework throughout the curriculum.
FranU’s Bachelor’s in Biology - Pre-Professional Human Medicine program aims to meet the following goals:
80% of graduates who seek employment will be gainfully employed within 12 months of graduation.
80% of graduates in the GPA upper quartile who seek to further their education will be admitted to a graduate program within 12 months of graduation.
60% of graduates will be involved in community service and/or a professional organization within 12 months of graduation.
I am confident in my ability to be productive in a science laboratory.
The curriculum has adequately prepared me for standardized exams necessary for successful admission into graduate schools.
Using the scientific method to solve problems effectively.
Understanding the relationship between science and ethics.
Students graduate from the bachelor’s in biology - pre-professional human medicine track with the following abilities:
Use and, when identified as applicable, integrate natural science concepts to illustrate the processes of life.
Apply the scientific method in laboratory and simulated scenarios to solve problems in an ethical manner.
Communicate scientific findings and, when identified as applicable, their social implications in the context of the Franciscan values.
Apply anatomical and physiological concepts to the study of human biology and pathophysiology.
The pre-professional medicine track consists of 122 credit hours, 60 of which come from coursework earned toward a biology major. Students take classes in biology, chemistry, algebra, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, physics, biochemistry, genetics and other sciences.
Students can enrich their understanding of the human condition through electives such as ethics, fine arts and social sciences as well as take lab credit hours to reinforce many of their foundational courses. Through a robust curriculum, students hone essential laboratory and research skills and fulfill the prerequisites for graduate programs in the medical sciences
As an affordable Catholic university, FranU aims to make your education more affordable as we work together to help ease the challenges of determining how to fund your education. We can assist you in finding grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of financial assistance.
We invite you to estimate the amount of financial aid you may receive with our Net Price Calculator Tool, or learn more about your funding options by visiting the Office of Financial Aid page.
FranU’s biology faculty members are highly skilled professionals with extensive subject area expertise and a passion to teach students how to apply scientific knowledge to their future careers in laboratory science, research, medicine and beyond.
The biology bachelor’s degree will build a solid base of knowledge in the principles of biology and chemistry while also providing track-specific courses in concentrated subject areas. During the program of study, students will take courses in biology foundations, general chemistry, biology and chemistry labs, algebra, psychology, organic chemistry and microbiology. Beyond these foundational courses, students will encounter diverse course offerings tailored to each unique program track.
Biology program graduates can pursue careers in a wide range of fields. Those who enter the workforce directly can pursue laboratory careers in academia, industry and forensics. Many choose to pursue both research and clinical post-graduate studies. For example, graduates of the Pre-Professional Human Medicine track are well-prepared to matriculate into clinical graduate programs that prepare them to become physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, dentists and veterinarians. Those who complete the Accelerated 3+2 Pathway to Physician Assistant Studies Pathway or Accelerated 3+3 Pathway to DPT Studies tracks are prepared for the MMS in PA and the DPT graduate programs at FranU.
Salary outlooks for biology careers can vary depending on specialization and degree level, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals with a degree in biology earn , with 69% employed at the bachelor’s degree level. The BLS also reports that , and biological technicians, who are responsible for assisting with laboratory tests and experiments, earn .
Graduates of the bachelor’s degree in biology program (tracked since 2013) have been accepted to the following programs or hired by the following employers:
Graduate Programs
Employers
Since 2013, 83% of B.S. in biology graduates have been ultimately accepted to their first-choice medical schools, physician assistant programs and doctor of physical therapy programs, among others (66% were successful on their first try).
At FranU, we understand that financing your education is one of the most important decisions you will make. We strive to provide our students with the highest level of care and professionalism as stewards of federal, state and institutional funds. Many of our students receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and loans.
To discover estimated costs, use FranU’s Undergraduate Tuition Calculator tool. For information on internal and external scholarship opportunities, visit the Scholarships page. You can also learn more about the financial aid process and tuition rates on the Office of Financial Aid page.
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Set your sights on graduate programs with FranU’s Pre-Professional Human Medicine Track for biology majors. Designed to hone necessary lab skills and provide practical learning experiences, our program can help you stand out as a med school candidate. Contact us today for more information.
We’re proud to be named one of Baton Rouge’s top choices for higher education. This honor reflects our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, student success and community impact.
For information about our SACSCOC accreditation, please visit our Institutional Accreditation page.
Total hours for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology - Pre-Professional Human Medicine Track = 122 credit hours
*Students who wish to apply to medical school should strive to take BIOL4320 and BIOL4321 Biochemistry I and II in their junior year to prepare for the MCAT. These students should work with their advisor to optimize their schedule.
Behavioral/Social Sciences electives may be taken from ANTH, ECON, HIST, POLI, PSYC, RELS, SOCI.
Ethics/Philosophy electives may be taken from PHIL 2315, PHIL 2320, THEO 3345, THEO 3350, THEO 3360.
Humanities/Fine Arts electives may be taken from ENGL, MUSI, ART, HIST, HUMN, PHIL, RELS, THEO.
Human Biology electives may be taken from BIOL3000 or 4000 level; ideally these have physiology in the name but endocrinology, oncology, embryology, immunology, kinesiology, gross anatomy are also accepted.
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