Academics > Colleges/Schools and Departments > Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology > Programs > Biology > Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Dentistry
Preparation
for admission to dental school must include a minimum of three years of undergraduate
work, however, most dental schools recommend four. The pre-dental curriculum parallels
very closely the pre-med with a strong emphasis on the natural sciences. Entrance
to dental school is competitive, but MSU has a good record in placing students
in dental school. Pre-dent students typically are required to take the Dental
Aptitude Test (DAT) for admission to dental school. Most Kentucky residents matriculate
to the dental schools at either the University of Louisville or University of
Kentucky.
The
Doctor of Dentistry requires four years after completing the undergraduate B.S.
degree. Upon graduation from a college of Dentistry, there are opportunities
to specialize in oral surgery, orthodontics, oral pathology, etc. These usually
require two or more years additional study. Presently, the opportunity for dental
private practice is good in some places, fair to poor in others. Dental graduates
should be prepared to go where the opportunities exist.
Curriculum
General Education Requirements - 51 hrs: includes
general psychology, mathematics, general physics I & II. Required Courses
- 28 hrs: Freshman Orientation, Cellular Basis of Life, Biological Inquiry
and Analysis, General Zoology, General Botany, Cell Biology, Animal Physiology,
Genetics, Senior Seminar. Biology Electives - at least 12 hrs: Suggested
courses include Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Vertebrate Embryology, Vertebrate
Histology, Parasitology, Into. Microbiology, Virology, Cell Physiology. Chemistry
Co-Requirements - 19 hrs. Required Minor - 21 hrs (Chemistry minor strongly
recommended). Electives - 18 hrs (Writing Composition Course Recommended;
remaining hours can be biology course or in other departments). Total
Curriculum Requirements - 128 hrs.