Choosing a Major
One of the most frequently asked questions by premedical students is "What is the best undergraduate major for medical school?". There is no simple answer to this question because the best major is different for individual students. You still must fulfill the minimum requirements specified by the individual medical schools you are planning on applying to; however, the choice of what to major in is yours.
According to data collected by AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) for 2005, the overwhelming majority (56.9%) of students entering medical school majored in some area of biological sciences (Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Physiology, or Zoology). The next highest group of majors (12.2%) comes from the physical sciences (chemistry and physics). This is followed by medical students who have majored in the Social Sciences (11.5%), Other (11.5%) a broad category of majors that do not fit in the other categories, Humanities(< 5%), Specialized Health Sciences (< 4%), and finally Math and Statistics (< 1%).
(Source: AAMC Data Warehouse Applicant Matriculant File 10/20/2005 MSAR Chart 5-I)
The best choice of a major is an area of study that interests you and that can also lead to other career options in that field or discipline. It is not important to decide on a major as an incoming freshman unless you intend to enter the College of Engineering which has a more structured program typically beginning with introductory classes in your first year of study. Many students need time to explore different disciplines and determine where their strengths and interests lie. Choosing a major should be a thoughtful process. We encourage you to see an academic counselor or your premedical advisor or an advisor in the University of Arkansas Career Development Center to talk about deciding on a major. Below is a list of degree programs.
Degree Programs at the University of Arkansas
College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences
B.S.A. (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences)
B.S.H.E.S. (Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences)
B.I.D. (Bachelor of Interior Design)
Majors
B.S.A. Agricultural Business; Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing; Animal Science; Crop Management; Environmental, Soil and Water Science; Food Science; Horticulture, Landscape, and Turf Sciences.
B.S.H.E.S. Apparel Studies; Food, Human Nutrition and Hospitality' General Human Environmental Sciences; Human Development, Family Sciences, and Rural Sociology
B.I.D. Interior Design
Minors
Agricultural Business; Agricultural Education; Agricultural Systems Technology Management; Animal Science; Crop Biotechnology; Crop Management; Entomology; Environmental, Soil and Water Science; Equine Science; Food Science; Global Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences; Horticultural Production; Human Development and Family Sciences; Human Nutrition; Journalism; Landscape Design and Urban Horticulture; Pest Managment; Plant Pathology; Poultry Science; Turf Management; Wildlife Habitat.
College of Arts and Sciences
B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)
B.S. (Bachelor of Science)
B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
B.M. (Bachelor of Music)
Majors
Anthropology,Art, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Drama, Earth Sciences, Economics, English, French, Geography, Geology, German, History, International Relations, Journalism, Mathematical Sciences, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Spanish.
Minors
*African American Studies, Anthropology, Art, *Art History, Biology,*Business, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Drama, Earth Sciences, Economics, English, *European Studies, French, *Gender Studies, Geography, Geology, History, International Relations,*Latin American Studies, Mathematics, *Medieval and Renaissance Studies, *Middle East Studies, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, *Religious Studies, *Russian Studies, Social Work, Sociology, *Statistics.
*offered as a minor only in ARSC
College of Business Administration
B.S. B.A. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Majors
Accounting, Business Economics, Finance, General Business, Information Systems, Management, Marketing, and Transportation.
Areas of Concentration
Business Economics; International Economics and Business; Banking; Financial Management/Investment; Insurance; Real Estate; Personal Financial Management; Human Resource Management; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Organizational Leadership; Marketing Management; Retail Marketing.
College of Education and Health Professions
B.S.E. (Bachelor of Science in Education)
B.S.N. (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Majors
B.S.E. in Childhood Education, Communication Disorders, Health Science, Kinesiology, Recreation, Middle-Level Education, Secondary Education.
Areas of Concentration
Business Education; Exercise Science-Exercise Physiology/Biomechanics, Fitness Specialist, Pre-Athletic Trainer, Pre-Professional; Family and Consumer Sciences Education; Techology Education; Vocational Education
College of Engineering
B.S. (Bachelor of Science)
Majors
Biological and Agricultural Engineering*, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
*Areas of Concentration
Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering, Ecological Engineering