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Pre-Medicine

Pre-Medicine

Program Overview

Program Overview

The demand for ethical, effective physicians is always high. If you possess the aptitude for science and the heart for helping those in need, let us help you prepare for a career in medicine.  Realization of that dream will depend upon a high quality undergraduate experience. We have a long history of preparing motivated, qualified students for successful entry into medical schools. Make a difference in your community by combining character, social, and intellectual competencies to become a contributing member of the healing profession. 

Your success as a premedical applicant and medical school student will require a working knowledge of the natural and behavioral sciences.  Our distinguished faculty will guide you through rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry and physics. In these courses, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art labs and research opportunities. 

Our Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) also will walk alongside and provide guidance for satisfying prerequisite requirements, networking opportunities and interview preparation. In addition to regularly notifying you of on-campus workshops, speakers and professional school representatives, HPAC will keep you posted regarding online webinars and regional health fairs.

HPAC scholarships are awarded as need-based supplemental financial aid to a number of qualified pre-health applicants.  The HPAC also provides merit-based Ward Scholarships and Ward Research Fellowships to a few exceptional students who have been nominated and selected by faculty.  Our aim is to provide you with all the tools and resources needed for your success as a professional school applicant.

Courses

Courses

Our office can assist you in determining which courses you need to satisfy professional school requirements. To  learn about the admission requirements for particular professional schools, we recommend that you visit their websites.

Although course requirements can vary from one health professional program to another, these are the courses required by most medical schools:
General biology: Eight semester hours with labs
General chemistry: Eight semester hours with labs
Organic chemistry: Eight semester hours with labs
Physics: Four to six semester hours with lab(s)
Math: trigonometry or calculus, depending upon physics prerequisites.
English: Six semester hours

Service learning

We provide you the opportunity to enhance your academic understanding by applying what you’ve learned in class to service projects that benefit our community. Before graduation, you’ll participate in at least two SALT (Serving and Learning Together) projects.

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Internship

Become more competitive in the job market with an internship related to your interests. You’ll gain experience and boost your exposure. An internship will also help you learn whether you’ve chosen a career you’ll enjoy.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Our Faculty

No matter what major you choose, we're ready to advise you on your path to becoming a physician.

  • Kyle Brawner headshot

    Kyle Brawner

    Assistant Professor

    Kyle Brawner joined the Lipscomb Biology Department in August 2020 as an assistant professor. He received his Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from Lipscomb in 2012 and his Ph.D....

    Meet Kyle Brawner
  • Beth Conway headshot

    Beth Conway

    Prof of Bio & Assoc Chair

    Beth Conway is associate professor of Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Lipscomb University. She received her bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Biochemistry and Molecular...

    Meet Beth Conway
  • Kent Clinger headshot

    Kent Clinger

    Adjunct Faculty

    A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Kent Clinger received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Oklahoma Christian College in 1976. He studied in the Master of Science program...

    Meet Kent Clinger
  • Brian Ellis headshot

    Brian Ellis

    Associate Professor

    After completing my Ph.D. studying viral delivery systems for carrying targeted gene therapy components in the lab of Matt Porteus (now at Stanford), I went on to do postdoctoral research...

    Meet Brian Ellis
  • Ruth Henry headshot

    Ruth Henry

    Professor and Department Chair, Kinesiology

    Long-tenured Lipscomb faculty member in exercise science, she teaches the statistics and research courses.

    Meet Ruth Henry
  • Jill Kirby headshot

    Jill Kirby

    Associate Professor

    Jill Kirby grew up in Knoxville, TN where she developed a passion for helping others. That led her to Harding University for undergraduate work (B.S Exercise Science) and then to...

    Meet Jill Kirby
  • John Lewis headshot

    John Lewis

    Faith and Science Professorship

    John Lewis is associate professor of Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He received his bachelor of science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Tennessee Technological...

    Meet John Lewis
  • Jon Lowrance headshot

    Jon Lowrance

    Department Chair - Biology

    Jon H. Lowrance is a professor of biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Lipscomb University. He received his bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Biology from...

    Meet Jon Lowrance
  • Bonny Millimaki headshot

    Bonny Millimaki

    Professor

    Bonny Millimaki is an associate professor of Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University in...

    Meet Bonny Millimaki
  • Joshua Owens headshot

    Josh Owens

    Assistant Professor

    Josh Owens was raised in Huntsville, Alabama. Following a family legacy, Josh attended Lipscomb where he majored in Molecular Biology and graduated in 2016. After Lipscomb, Josh attended Emory University...

    Meet Josh Owens
  • John Smith

    John Smith

    Professor

    Smith grew up in New Jersey where he attended Drew University, earning his B.A. in Chemistry with a Writing minor. He then worked in publishing before heading to graduate school...

    Meet John Smith
  • Jeff Todd headshot

    Jeff Todd

    Professor of Practice

    Jeff Todd is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Lipscomb University. He receives his bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in...

    Meet Jeff Todd
  • Joseph Weinstein-Webb headshot

    Joseph Weinstein-webb

    Assistant Professor

    Meet Joseph Weinstein-webb
  • Amanda Williams headshot

    Amanda Williams

    Assistant Professor

    Amanda Williams was raised in Providence, Kentucky. She met her husband, Rick, at the Green Hills Starbucks when they were both college students at Lipscomb (B.S., Biology). Upon graduation, she...

    Meet Amanda Williams

Career Paths

Physicians and Surgeons

Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, also called diagnostic imaging workers, operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests. The images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions.

Medical Scientists

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.


Various Roles in Health Care

Private or group clinical practice; hospitalist; government positions; medical educator; researcher; administrative and corporate roles