Pre-Dentistry

Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in dentistry are provided with both an excellent learning environment and the required diverse preprofessional background while studying at Augustana. Augustana has a small student population producing relatively small class sizes. This allows students more direct interaction with their course instructors. Also, the core curriculum at Augustana provides all of our graduates with an exposure to the natural and social sciences, humanities, and the fine arts. Hence, predental students from Augustana have the broad background necessary to treat a diverse public.

The nearest dental schools to Augustana are at the Universities of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan (U of A, UBC, and U of S, respectively). They require a minimum of two (U of A, U of S) or three (UBC) years of university study prior to admission (one year = 30 credits). Augustana recommends, however, that a student complete an undergraduate degree first before applying to dental school. This will make the student's application competitive with other applicants who have undergraduate and even graduate degrees, as well as work-related experience in the health sciences.

Please Note: Institutions reserve the right to change program requirements without notice. Students should therefore check directly with their school(s) of choice to receive a current program description and its requirements.


The typical admission requirements to most dental schools may be most easily met while pursuing a major in either Chemistry or Biology (and possibly a minor in the other). Hence, a typical program of predental studies at Augustana would contain the following courses:

Year 1

AUBIO 110 & 130 - Evolution of Biological Diversity and Cell Biology
6 cr
AUCHE 110 & 112 - General Chemistry I and II
  6 cr
AUMAT 110 (or 111) and 112 - Elementary Calculus I and II1   6 cr
AUPHY 1xx (e.g., 110 and 120) - General Physics   6 cr
AUENG 103 and 104 - English Literature   6 cr
Total:   30 cr
1This is required only by UBC. Hence, it may be replaced by 6 credits of core curriculum if the student is intent on not applying to UBC.



Year 2

AUBIO 280 - Biochemistry I2 3 cr
AUCHE 250 and 252 - Organic Chemistry I and II 6 cr
AUCHE 2xx - Inorganic, Physical or Analytical Chemistry 6 cr
PSY 101 and 102 - Basic Psychological Processes
OR
SOC 101, 103, or 105 - Introductory Sociology		  6 cr
STA 213 - Statistics   3 cr
Humanities3
 6 cr
Total:   30 cr
2UBC and U of S both require 6 cr of biochemistry.
3This is required only by U of S. Hence it may be replaced by 6 cr of core curriculum or major if the student is intent on not applying to U of S.

 

The third and fourth years are devoted to completing the requirements of the major (and optional minor), the core, and the particular dental schools to which the student is applying. BIO 336 (Histology), BIO 338 (Developmental Biology), BIO 381 (Biochemistry: intermediary metabolism), and BIO 397 (Vertebrate Physiology) are good electives for the health sciences.

A dental aptitude test (DAT) must be completed before applying to dental school. Note that some dental schools recommend or require inorganic chemistry. Check the admission requirements of the dental school of your choice as the above is advice only. Dental schools reserve the right to alter their admission requirements without notice. Note that many dental schools require that at least one year of university studies be full time (30 cr).

Student Laboratory Assistant Program

Student Laboratory Assistants are hired to help in the laboratory portion of CHE 110 and 112 and BIO 110 and 130. These positions are invaluable to students desiring experience leading towards elementary and secondary education, graduate school, or jobs requiring a public presence (e.g., park guide, park interpreter, or health professional). Responsibilities include helping the instructor during lab and marking of lab assignments.

Dentistry Links

Dental Aptitude Test
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry - University of Alberta
Faculty of Dentistry - University of British Columbia
College of Dentistry - University of Saskatchewan
Alberta Dental Association and College
Canadian Dental Association
American (i.e., U.S.) Dental Association
JADA (Journal of the American Dental Association
Sybertooth Dental Continuing Education Directory

For More Information

For more information regarding an undergraduate pre-dentistry program, contact:
Chair, Department of Science

Requirements for admission to Augustana may be obtained from our Admissions Counselors. They may be reached at:
Prospective Student Office