Pre-Dentistry: Biology Track
Your path to a dental career starts here
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in dentistry, you’ve come to the right place. UNI graduates routinely have among the highest dental school placement rates in the Midwest, and even the nation.
It is important to keep in mind that the pre-dental track is not an academic major; rather, it’s a suggested program of study that prepares students to apply to professional school upon completing their undergraduate degree. Pre-dental students may choose a major in any area, though at UNI, and nationally, the most common major for pre-dental students is biology or chemistry.
The BA Biology: Biomedical major was designed to keep pre-dental students on track to meet the most common requirements for medical programs and the topics for the DAT exam. With most pre-dental courses counting toward your UNI degree, this is an efficient pathway to prepare for dental school.
Admission
Rates
In 2020, 90% of UNI students applying to dental school were admitted. All of these students were biology majors.
NAAHP
Member
UNI Biology is a member of the NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for Health Professions), allowing access to resources that benefit students studying in a healthcare field
Powerful
Partners
Our department has fostered outstanding partnerships with regional medical schools such as University of Iowa College of Dentistry.
Learn more about Pre-Dentistry & Biology
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Contact us directly at:
Department of Biology
University of Northern Iowa
144 McCollum Science Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421
Phone: (319) 273-2456
Email: biology@uni.edu
Why choose pre-dental at UNI?
“These past four years at UNI have been some of the best years of my life thanks to the love and support of the biology department.
I have met so many wonderful people who have impacted my life and helped me better prepare for the future! I’ve spent almost every day in McCollum and I can honestly say, there is no other building I would have loved to spend my days at.
I hope to find professors that care like them in my future pathway to becoming a dentist!”
Tatum Keck graduated from the UNI Department of Biology in the spring of 2021 with a degree in biology and a pre-dental track.
Why choose a Biology major for your pre-dental track?
Biology is the most common undergraduate major for dentistry students. Students are supported through collaborative advising with popular dental schools. Beginning their first year, students will be enrolled in courses appropriate for dental programs and will receive regular guidance on coursework, GPA and timely information pertaining to dental programs.
High Acceptance Rates
Consistently high acceptance rates to dental programs are a testimony to the rigor and relevance of the UNI Biology curriculum in preparation for admission to dental schools. UNI faculty relationships with colleagues at other medical institutions are beneficial to students.
Pre-Dental Club
The Pre-Dental Club, supported through the UNI Department Biology, allows students professional networking opportunities, job shadowing opportunities and access to admission staff at popular dental schools.
National Association of Advisors for Health Professions
As a member of the NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for Health Professions), biology students receive access to free resources such as DAT prep materials, personal statement writing coaching, summer health programs, and support in the dental school application process.