Basic Core Science Studies, Certificate
Learn more about the postbaccalaureate certificate in Basic Core Science Studies.
The CST Postbaccalaureate Program offers a certificate for successfully completing a full-time 12-month course load of basic core science courses that have been customized to help students prepare for the entrance exams for professional schools, including allopathic, osteopathic, and podiatric medical schools, dental schools, and physician assistant programs. The course load also naturally provides the students with a solid science foundation on which to build once in professional school.
Only students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are eligible for acceptance to the Postbaccalaureate Program.
The program offers a supportive academic environment designed to help its students develop academically, professionally, and personally.
For more information about the program, please visit: https://postbac.cst.temple.edu/.
If you have questions for our leadership team, please send them to cst.postbac@temple.edu or call us at 215-204-0621.
Certificate Requirements
To earn a Certificate in Basic Core Science Studies, students must complete the following required courses and additional requirements.
Required Courses
The Certificate consists of a set of core course requirements and additional courses in one of 3 tracks based on the anticipated career path.
Track 1: For students interested in pursuing a career as an MD, DO, PharmD, DPM, or OD (37 Total Credit Hours)
Track 2: For students interested in pursuing a career as a DMD or DDS (38 Total Credit Hours)
Track 3: For students interested in pursuing a career as a PA (39 Total Credit Hours)
Residency Requirements: All coursework for the certificate must be completed at Temple while enrolled in the 12-month Post Baccalaureate Pre-Health Program in the College of Science and Technology.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BCMS 4003 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| CHEM 1051 & CHEM 1053 | General Chemistry I for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates and General Chemistry I Lab for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| CHEM 1052 & CHEM 1054 | General Chemistry II for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates and General Chemistry II Lab for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| CHEM 2251 & CHEM 2253 | Organic Chemistry for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates and Organic Chemistry Lab for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 7 |
| Total Credit Hours | 19 | |
Track 1: Additional Courses
Students interested in pursuing a career as an MD, DO, PharmD, DPM, or OD should complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2212 | Introduction to Biology I for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| BIOL 2211 | Introduction to Biology II for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| BIOL 4201 | The Practice of Health Care: Competencies and Current Topics | 1 |
| CHEM 1055 | Introduction to Problem Solving and Logical Thinking for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 1 |
| PHYS 1031 | Physics I for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| PHYS 1032 | Physics II for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Track 2: Additional Courses
Students interested in pursuing a career as a DMD or DDS should complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2212 | Introduction to Biology I for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| BIOL 2211 | Introduction to Biology II for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| BIOL 4201 | The Practice of Health Care: Competencies and Current Topics | 1 |
| PHYS 1031 | Physics I for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| PHYS 1032 | Physics II for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| CHEM 1005 | Practice and Development of Spatial Visualization Skills | 1 |
| CHEM 1055 | Introduction to Problem Solving and Logical Thinking for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 19 | |
Track 3: Additional Courses
Students interested in pursuing a career as a PA should complete the following courses:1
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACMS 4004 | Fundamentals of Physiology for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| ACMS 4005 | Fundamentals of Physiology Lab for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 1 |
| BIOL 1004 | Medical Terminology for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 1 |
| BIOL 2001 | Clinical Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL 4201 | The Practice of Health Care: Competencies and Current Topics | 1 |
| BIOL 4233 | Human Anatomy for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 4 |
| BIOL 4234 | Human Anatomy Lab for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 1 |
| CHEM 1055 | Introduction to Problem Solving and Logical Thinking for Pre-Health Postbaccalaureates | 1 |
| MATH 1013 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 20 | |
| 1 | Students interested in Track 3 (career as a PA) have already taken Biology I and II before entering the program. |
Additional Requirements
- Attend the appropriate standardized test preparatory course(s).
- Participate in clinical enhancement and/or volunteer opportunities.
- Attend mandatory advising sessions.