Medical Fields are notorious for being tough to get into. With meager acceptance rates, a lot of people end up changing fields. However, choosing the proper majors in college can have a significant impact on your journey ahead. And this article will give you the information you need.
To enter the medical field, you will typically need a college degree. Here are some majors you should consider if you are looking for a career in the medical field.
- Biology
The most commonly chosen major for medical fields is biology. A report by AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges) states that over half of the aspirants applying to medical school had a major in biology. A background in biology will set a strong foundation as you enter medical school. In this degree, you can expect to learn about the physiology and anatomy of the human body. You will study how cells join to form organs and how these organs then perform their functions. This understanding will give you a head start to excel by giving you the relevant knowledge beforehand.
- Nursing
A major in nursing can help you pursue a career as a nurse while also preparing you for medical school. Nursing schools often give you the unique opportunity of doing an internship. This is an exciting prospect as you get some practical experience for your future nursing career and medical school. You will also study patient care and nursing ethics along with basic biology, physiology, anatomy, and psychology.
So, if the stress of medical school is too much for you, a nursing career might be an excellent first step into the healthcare industry.
- Public Health
What is Public Health, and what is epidemiology?
While public health is about striving to improve the health of people and communities, epidemiology is the study of how pathogens, viruses, and diseases affect humans in relation to their climate, behavior, and other variables.
A major in public health will not only help you get medical knowledge but also enable you to apply that knowledge to help communities. You will study different diseases, their epidemiology, prevalence, their effect on the community, and their management.
With this degree, you pursue a career in research with non-profits, consult on disease prevention or develop health campaigns.
If you want a career where research and fieldwork go hand in hand, a degree in public health is right for you.
- Psychology
A major in psychology can open some exciting prospects. Not only do you learn about biology, but you also learn to interpret other people’s behavior. You will learn about various psychiatric problems and mental ailments.
Whether you pursue a career as a physician or a psychiatrist, the skills and knowledge will benefit you greatly.
- Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers are responsible for the sophisticated machinery that helps doctors do their everyday work. From simple equipment like a thermometer to advanced machinery like ventilators or CT scan machines, a biomedical engineering degree will help you take the first step in this field.
A major in biomedical engineering is unique since you learn about medical sciences as well as engineering. You will study how biology and technology go hand in hand to provide better healthcare to patients.
If you are willing to adapt to the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical engineering, this major is just right for you.
- Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their function in the management of various diseases. Whether you want to pursue a career in Pharmacology or head to medical school, this major will provide you with the necessary tools.
A degree in pharmacology focuses on how drugs interact with the body, their mechanism of action, absorption, distribution, elimination, and possible side effects. You will also learn about the manufacturing process of drugs and design studies to test their efficacy and safety.
- Biochemistry
Biochemistry deals with the chemical processes going on within the human body at a molecular level. You can expect to learn in detail about
- Chemical processes in the body that make life possible (such as respiration and glycolysis)
- General Chemistry
- Genes and Genomes
- Chemical Analysis
You will also be expected to perform lab work and participate in research projects. A major in this subject can act as a perfect doorway to a career in the medical field. Be it as a researcher, a lab attendant, or admission to medical school; you will have the necessary background knowledge.
- Exercise Science
Exercise science is a new and upcoming field that is quickly gaining traction. In this major, you will learn about different exercises and their effect on an individual. You will study physiology and anatomy of the body and how various exercises affect them.
Following this major, you can work closely with:
- Physiotherapists
- Sports teams
- Patients needing rehabilitation
Conclusion
As you can see, the healthcare industry is vast, with numerous professions working to better the medical field. Although there is no fixed pathway you have to take to enter the industry, the following majors will give you an edge over your fellow aspirants.
When deciding your major, research what you will be learning in the course, and choose what interests you most. We hope this article gives you some insight into just that.
Medical Fields are notorious for being tough to get into. With meager acceptance rates, a lot of people end up changing fields. However, choosing the proper majors in college can have a significant impact on your journey ahead. And this article will give you the information you need.
To enter the medical field, you will typically need a college degree. Here are some majors you should consider if you are looking for a career in the medical field.
- Biology
The most commonly chosen major for medical fields is biology. A report by AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges) states that over half of the aspirants applying to medical school had a major in biology. A background in biology will set a strong foundation as you enter medical school. In this degree, you can expect to learn about the physiology and anatomy of the human body. You will study how cells join to form organs and how these organs then perform their functions. This understanding will give you a head start to excel by giving you the relevant knowledge beforehand.
- Nursing
A major in nursing can help you pursue a career as a nurse while also preparing you for medical school. Nursing schools often give you the unique opportunity of doing an internship. This is an exciting prospect as you get some practical experience for your future nursing career and medical school. You will also study patient care and nursing ethics along with basic biology, physiology, anatomy, and psychology.
So, if the stress of medical school is too much for you, a nursing career might be an excellent first step into the healthcare industry.
- Public Health
What is Public Health, and what is epidemiology?
While public health is about striving to improve the health of people and communities, epidemiology is the study of how pathogens, viruses, and diseases affect humans in relation to their climate, behavior, and other variables.
A major in public health will not only help you get medical knowledge but also enable you to apply that knowledge to help communities. You will study different diseases, their epidemiology, prevalence, their effect on the community, and their management.
With this degree, you pursue a career in research with non-profits, consult on disease prevention or develop health campaigns.
If you want a career where research and fieldwork go hand in hand, a degree in public health is right for you.
- Psychology
A major in psychology can open some exciting prospects. Not only do you learn about biology, but you also learn to interpret other people’s behavior. You will learn about various psychiatric problems and mental ailments.
Whether you pursue a career as a physician or a psychiatrist, the skills and knowledge will benefit you greatly.
- Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers are responsible for the sophisticated machinery that helps doctors do their everyday work. From simple equipment like a thermometer to advanced machinery like ventilators or CT scan machines, a biomedical engineering degree will help you take the first step in this field.
A major in biomedical engineering is unique since you learn about medical sciences as well as engineering. You will study how biology and technology go hand in hand to provide better healthcare to patients.
If you are willing to adapt to the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical engineering, this major is just right for you.
- Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their function in the management of various diseases. Whether you want to pursue a career in Pharmacology or head to medical school, this major will provide you with the necessary tools.
A degree in pharmacology focuses on how drugs interact with the body, their mechanism of action, absorption, distribution, elimination, and possible side effects. You will also learn about the manufacturing process of drugs and design studies to test their efficacy and safety.
- Biochemistry
Biochemistry deals with the chemical processes going on within the human body at a molecular level. You can expect to learn in detail about
- Chemical processes in the body that make life possible (such as respiration and glycolysis)
- General Chemistry
- Genes and Genomes
- Chemical Analysis
You will also be expected to perform lab work and participate in research projects. A major in this subject can act as a perfect doorway to a career in the medical field. Be it as a researcher, a lab attendant, or admission to medical school; you will have the necessary background knowledge.
- Exercise Science
Exercise science is a new and upcoming field that is quickly gaining traction. In this major, you will learn about different exercises and their effect on an individual. You will study physiology and anatomy of the body and how various exercises affect them.
Following this major, you can work closely with:
- Physiotherapists
- Sports teams
- Patients needing rehabilitation
Conclusion
As you can see, the healthcare industry is vast, with numerous professions working to better the medical field. Although there is no fixed pathway you have to take to enter the industry, the following majors will give you an edge over your fellow aspirants.
When deciding your major, research what you will be learning in the course, and choose what interests you most. We hope this article gives you some insight into just that.
