Departmental Brochure

Students interested in a career in the health sciences become part of a careful mentoring and advising process beginning in the first year. The advisor of the pre-professional program in the health sciences 1) guides students in the selection of an appropriate course of study for a wide variety of careers in the health sciences; 2) reviews the academic standards applied by the various medical and graduate schools, and the specific tests required by these schools; 3) helps arrange internships and research opportunities; and 4) discusses a range of other important issues related to the world of the health sciences. You will receive specific advice on the national tests for medical school (MCATs) and the role these tests play in determining admission. The health sciences advisor also works with the Career Planning Center to offer general and specific advice on the many professional opportunities in the health sciences including medical school, dental school, optometry, veterinary school, osteopathy, and physical therapy, among others.

In addition to the necessary science courses, internships and research opportunities, Fairfield also provides you with a strong background in the liberal arts that emphasizes the ethical and human side of medicine, through appropriate courses in the social sciences and humanities.

The Application Process

Beginning the first year a file is prepared for each student declaring an interest in a career in the health sciences. Evaluations from professors are collected at the end of each semester and placed in the file.

At the end of the junior year the health sciences advisory committee reviews your record and decides whether you should receive an official University recommendation to medical school, dental school, veterinary school, or one of a number of graduate programs in the health sciences. These recommendations are usually based on academic record, written assessments, and personal statements from the candidate.

The official application process is the culmination of a series of formal and informal advising activities during the first three years, so that by this time you will have a clear idea of where you stand in relation to admission standards of the various medical, dental, and other schools.

Those students who are not recommended receive further advising either to consider alternative fields or to re-apply after completing further course work.

Course of Study

Fairfield's program is designed to prepare you for an exciting career in one of the many fields of the health sciences. Consistent with national standards, there is no major in the health sciences. Although most students choose one of the sciences - biology, chemistry, physics - as a major, it is possible to complete the national requirements for admission to medical school, dental school, or veterinary school while majoring in any of Fairfield's academic programs.

Most health professions require:

1 year of laboratory biology
1 year of inorganic chemistry
1 year of organic chemistry
1 year of physics
1 year of mathematics
and at least one semester of English

Since requirements are not the same for every professional opportunity, you will receive careful guidance on all required courses. The health sciences advisor maintains catalogs of graduate schools and links to websites that provide information to help you make the right decision.

If you wish to apply to medical, dental, or veterinary school, you must complete the appropriate pre-professional admissions test such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Careful preparation and sequencing of the appropriate courses is a vital part of this process. The health sciences advisor helps you understand the nature and importance of these tests and guides you in their preparation.

Internship and Individualized Study

In addition to laboratory and classroom instruction, many professional schools require students to have practical experience in their chosen field. Therefore you are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of internships and individualized study. These experiences range from conducting research with a Fairfield professor to research at near-by hospitals, government or private agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and other establishments involved with issues concerning biology, health, and the environment. These opportunities are very popular with over 50 percent of Fairfield students participating in at least one off-campus research experience. The diverse interests of our faculty have helped to place students in most of the local hospitals, including Yale/New Haven and Bridgeport Hospitals, as well as the Fairfield County Rehabilitation Center, The Burke Rehabilitation Center, The Westport Nature Center, The Maritime Center, Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture School, Connecticut Audubon, Bayer Pharmaceutical, UCONN, and the State Forensics Laboratory, to name just a few.

Summer is an excellent time to expand horizons. The health science advisor has information about undergraduate opportunities across the country and abroad. In the past, students have worked as EMTs, science journals, or assistants in physical therapy. Others have done research and succeeded in publishing their results in professional journals.

World of Opportunity

The Faculty

The health sciences advisory committee consists of faculty members from the sciences and humanities. The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences sits on the committee as well. The committee, chaired by the health sciences advisor, assists students interested in the health professions, clarifies professional school requirements, and sponsors special programs such as internships and research opportunities. The health sciences advisor is ready to offer advice to you at each step of the application process, including registration for pre-professional exams, revising personal essays, or preparing for the admissions interview.

All members of the health sciences advisory committee are active faculty members and likely to know you on a personal basis from interactions in the classroom or laboratory. They are listed with their academic departments.

Geoffrey Church

Ph.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Health sciences advisor, Biology

Christopher Bernhardt

Ph.D., University of Warwick

Mathematics and Computer Science

Olivia Harriott

Ph.D., University of Connecticut, Storrs

Biology

Curtis Naser

Ph.D., State University of New York at Stonybrook

Philosophy

Elizabeth Petrino

Ph.D., Cornell University

English

W. Ronald Salafia

Ph.D., Fordham University

Psychology

Gary Weddle

Ph.D., University of Delaware

Chemistry

David Winn

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin

Physics, Chair of Dept.

Life After Fairfield

Fairfield has a long history of success in preparing students with a solid foundation for the health professions. Since 1951, more than 2,000 Fairfield alumni have earned degrees in medicine and dentistry and are practicing throughout the world. More than 500 others have opted for other specialties within the allied health professions. Fairfield students have been accepted at almost every medical school in the country including Yale, Harvard, Duke, Cornell, and Johns Hopkins. Our alumni now occupy many important positions within the medical establishment.

Career Options in Health

Medicine
Dentistry
Osteopathic Medicine
Veterinary Medicine
Physician's Assistant
Pharmacy
Optometry
Podiatry
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health
Toxicology
Nutrition
and others

For further information about the Health Sciences Program at Fairfield University, please contact:

Geoffrey Church , Ph.D.
Health Sciences Advisor
Bannow Science Center 217
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824
Telephone: (203) 254-4000 ext. 2485
E-mail: gchurch@mail.fairfield.edu