Traditional Undergraduate Programs
AA Areas of Concentration
Pre-Forensic Science Concentration
The forensic science profession uses knowledge of the mathematical, physical and natural sciences to develop methodologies for the analysis of problems posed by the criminal justice system. Elective courses in the social sciences and computer/information technology, along with the required core classes in physical/natural sciences, will provide the prospective forensic scientist with a solid foundation for a career in forensic science.
Prerequisites: High school studies should include:
- Minimum 2 years of math;
- 1 year of physics;
- 1 year of chemistry;
- 1 year of biology; and
- Students are strongly advised to complete additional course work in advanced chemistry and biology, if available.
Missing courses can be made up, but because of the sequential nature of the required courses, students may have to take more than the usual number of semesters to complete the program.
Requirements: All students must complete the General Education core degree requirements, and they must complete the following courses specific to the concentration. Courses required for the concentration may also satisfy General Education requirements.
- BIO 106 – Cellular Biology;
- BIO 107 – Biological Organisms and Ecology;
- BIO 108, BIO 109 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II;
- BIO 215 – Microbiology;
- CHE 111, CHE 112 – General Chemistry I and II;
- CHE 223, CHE 224 – Organic Chemistry I and II;
- MAT 125 – Statistics with Applications;
- PHI 213 – General Ethics;
- CRJ 101 – Criminal Justice System; and
- FSC 105 – Introduction to Forensic Science
*Students in the pre-forensic science concentration are strongly advised to enroll in one or more summer courses in order to reduce the load during the academic year.
Pre-Law Concentration
“Law schools want students who can think critically and write well, and who have some understanding of the forces that have shaped the human experience. These attributes can be acquired in any number of college courses, whether in the arts and humanities, the social sciences, or the natural sciences.
An undergraduate career that is narrowly based or vocationally oriented may not be the best preparation for law school. As long as you receive an education including critical analysis, logical reasoning, and written and oral expression, the range of acceptable college majors is very broad. What counts is the intensity and depth of your undergraduate program and your capacity to perform well at an academically rigorous level.” From the Law School Admissions Council website www.lasc.org
Requirements: All students must complete the General Education core degree requirements, and they must complete the following courses specific to the concentration. Courses required for the concentration may also satisfy General Education requirements.
Recommended Related Study: Students should consider the following courses for their value in developing written and oral expression, skills in critical analysis and greater understanding of human institutions and values: ACC 111, ACC 112 – Principles of Accounting I and II; ECO 211, ECO 212 – Principles of Economics I and II; PHI 201 – Introduction to Philosophy; PHI 211 – Logic; PHI 213 – General Ethics; SPH 111 – Public Speaking; European or American history; mathematics and the natural sciences. Students should make choices that meet the transfer requirements of the program of study that they plan to pursue.
Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical and Pre-Veterinary Concentration(s)
Since there are many applicants for a limited number of openings at the professional schools in the health and allied health fields, students are urged to get a strong foundation in the basic sciences in their first two years and work toward a high G.P.A. A broad background in humanities and social sciences will help students in communicating and relating with people. Students wanting to enter schools of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry need to complete a baccalaureate degree, with a major in biology, chemistry or other appropriate discipline. Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the 2+2 Benedictine University program or the program of study they plan to pursue at the senior college level.
Prerequisites: High school studies should include:
- 3 years of math, including second year algebra, geometry and trigonometry;
- 3 years of science, including one each in biology, chemistry and physics;
- Other science courses (highly recommended); and
- 2 years of foreign language (highly recommended)
Requirements: All students must complete the General Education core degree requirements, and they must complete the following courses specific to the concentration. Courses required for the concentration may also satisfy General Education requirements.
- BIO 106 – Cellular Biology;
- BIO 107 – Biological Organisms and Ecology;
- CHE 111, CHE 112 – General Chemistry I and II;
- CHE 223, CHE 224 – Organic Chemistry I and II;
- MAT 114 – College Algebra, if needed;
- MAT 115 – Trigonometry, if needed;
- MAT 122, MAT 125 or MAT 223, – Calculus or Statistics; and
- PHY 211, PHY 212 – General Physics I and II
Recommended Related Study: The following courses should give a well-balanced background in the humanities and social sciences: PHI 213 - General Ethics or PHI 201 - Introduction to Philosophy; REL 230 - Contemporary Moral Problems; PSY 210 - General Psychology; PSY 215 - Growth and Development; SOC 210 - Introduction to Sociology; HUM 183 and HUM 184 - Humanities I and II. Other science courses to consider are BIO 108, BIO 109 - Anatomy and Physiology I and II and BIO 215 - Microbiology. Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the program of study that they plan to pursue at Benedictine University or other senior college.
Pre-Nursing Concentration
The pre-nursing area of study is compatible with four-year baccalaureate degree programs that call for the completion of general academic requirements in the first two years and concentration on nursing courses in the last two years. Students wishing to transfer into a four-year nursing program must fulfill certain basic requirements, especially in the sciences. Because professional nursing involves dealing with people under stress, a balanced program in the humanities and social sciences is necessary for developing effective communication skills. Students should make choices that meet the transfer requirements of the program of study that they plan to pursue.
Prerequisites: High school studies should include:
- 2 years of algebra;
- A third year of math (recommended);
- 2 years of biology; and
- 1 year of chemistry.
If students have not completed one year of high school biology, BIO 102 must be taken before BIO 108.
Requirements: All students must complete the General Education core degree requirements, and they must complete the following courses specific to the concentration. Courses required for the concentration may also satisfy General Education requirements.
- BIO 100 – Nutrition;
- BIO 108, BIO 109 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II;
- BIO 215 – Microbiology;
- CHE 105 – Introductory Chemistry;
- PSY 210 – General Psychology;
- EDU 224 – Growth and Development; and
- SOC 210 – Introduction to Sociology
Recommended Related Study: The following courses should give a well-balanced background in the humanities and social sciences: HLT 101 – Personal and Community Health; PHI 201 – Introduction to Philosophy; PHI 213 – General Ethics. Highly recommended courses include: CHE 201- Survey of Organic Chemistry; MAT 125 – Statistics; BIO 101 – Medical Terminology and PSY 213 – Abnormal Psychology.
