About the Pre-Chiropractic Medicine Program
Chiropractors are health-care professionals who diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body’s muscular, skeletal or nervous system. They have a holistic approach to health and use only natural, drugless and non-surgical treatments such as massage to aid the body in the healing process. A bachelor’s degree is not required for most chiropractic schools; in fact, most only call for 90 semester hours for admission. Chiropractors attend four years of chiropractic school. They are not allowed to perform surgery or prescribe drugs. Requirements beyond core courses include: BIOL/CHEM 336 Biochemistry, COMM 211 Presentational Speaking and PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology.
Program Curriculum:
Prerequisite or Co-Requisite: DAY-CHEM 115 or CHEM 208 or CHEM 238. CCPS-BIOL 102.
This course examines the structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins. The molecular mechanisms of replication, transcription, mRNA processing and translation will be emphasized. In addition, regulation of these processes will be explored. Lecture and laboratory. Intended for students majoring in biology or related disciplines.
Prerequisite: Day-BIOL 172. CCPS-Co-requisite: BIOL 181-L.
This course will apply the knowledge acquired in BIOL 172 to the inheritance patterns of genetic traits between individuals and within populations. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite or Co-requisite: DAY- BIOL 181. CCPS-BIOL 172.
An introduction to the principles of evolutionary biology, including the history, processes and patterns of evolution as well as systematic biology.
A lecture course that covers analytical methods of chemical analysis. Topics include statistical analysis, quantitative chemical analysis, chemical equilibria, eletroanalytical techniques and fundamentals of spectroscopy.
A laboratory course designed to give students experiences with analytical methods of chemical analysis. Topics include data analysis, chemical equilibria (acid-base and complexation), redox titrations and spectroscopy.
A fundamental course in the study of inorganic chemistry. Topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, nomenclature of inorganic compounds, fundamentals of inorganic complexes and an introduction to the chemistry of main group elements.
A fundamental laboratory course in the study of inorganic chemistry. Topics include the preparation of inorganic complexes, resolution of chiral transition metal compounds, ion conductivity and a preparation of a main group inorganic compound.
Prerequisite: CHEM 238.
This lecture course is an in-depth study of organic functional group chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, aromatics and alcohols. Topics include nomenclature, stereochemistry, mechanisms, and theory.
Prerequisite: CHEM 238-L.
This laboratory course introduces the organic lab skills and techniques with extensive hands?on experience and organic application of spectroscopy and instrumentation.
Prerequisite: CHEM 315 or CHEM 312. Recommended prerequisite: CHEM 327.
A lecture course that studies the structure and function of biological molecules. Topics include enzyme kinetics, synthesis and degradation of biological molecules, and energy production. Emphasis will be placed on enzyme mechanisms and regulation.
Prerequisite: CHEM 315.
This lecture course continues in-depth study of organic functional group chemistry of carbonyl containing compounds and amines. Topics include spectroscopy, mechanisms, theory and an introduction to biochemistry and metabolic pathways.
Prerequisite: CHEM 315-L or CHEM 312-L.
A laboratory course that continues development of organic lab skills and techniques. Topics covered will include multi-step synthesis, open- ended projects involving experimental design and an introduction to enzyme catalysis and stereochemical control.
This course introduces students to the expectations of academic work at the collegiate level. Particular emphasis lies on developing students’ skills in writing, critical thinking and information literacy. Each course section has its own theme, developed by faculty members from a wide variety of disciplines.
Prerequisite: DAY-None.
CCPS-ENGL 150.
Expository writing provides students with valuable opportunities to write in a wide variety of modes of nonfiction, including narrative essays, film and book reviews, cultural analyses and journalistic essays. Students read and discuss published nonfiction and participate in workshops where they respond to one another’s writing in small groups. The workshop format enables students to respond to issues of form, purpose, voice and audience.
Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra and one semester of high school trigonometry.
A study of the fundamental principles of analytic geometry and calculus with an emphasis on differentiation.
Co-requisite: MATH 231.
The principles of Newtonian mechanics including motion, energy, and force. Calculus with extensive use of vector analysis. Intended for science majors. The modeling-centered, inquiry-based workshop format — integrated laboratory and lecture — emphasizes experiment, data collection and analysis, problem solving, and cooperative learning in both small and large groups. Three two-hour sessions per week. Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: PHYS 211.
Continuation of Newtonian mechanics, including working, 2-d motion, impulse-momentum, and circular motion. Also electrical and magnetic properties of matter, fields and forces, and DC circuits. Calculus with extensive use of vector analysis. Intended for science majors. The modeling-centered, inquiry-based workshop format — integrated laboratory and lecture — emphasizes experiment, data collection and analysis, problem solving, and cooperative learning in both small and large groups. Three two-hour sessions per week. Offered spring semester.
Chiropractic Medicine
Undergraduate students in the chiropractic field often major in biology, chemistry, or both. Chiropractic medicine is considered a program and is not a major. A bachelor’s degree is required prior to acceptance into chiropractic school.
Internships and Clinical Experience
Drury also strongly recommends that students spend time in a clinical setting. The experience that the student gains will not not only give them a better understanding of the chiropractic profession, but these experiences let chiropractic schools know that an applicant has firsthand knowledge of the profession. A Drury University student has the advantage of contacts with the local alumni, who can provide some students with both shadowing opportunities and, in some cases, internships. Other internships can be arranged through the Office of Career Planning and Development.
Selected Schools
Cleveland Chiropractic College is known for creating successfully processing chiropractors. In fact, more than one out of ten chiropractors practicing in North America have graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College. By incorporating real life situations with basic science practices, Cleveland prepares its students for careers in the clinical setting. Graduates from Cleveland are trained to not only assess the function of the spine of a patient, but also to improve the health of a patient as a whole by offering advice on exercise, diet, and lifestyle. Cleveland Chiropractic College is located in Kansas City, Missouri.
Palmer College of Chiropractic prepares its students for a career in the chiropractic field by providing access to the latest advancements in chiropractic research at the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research. Students also have the opportunity to gain more experience at the Palmer Chiropractic Clinics or through clinic study abroad programs. Palmer offers students a unique opportunity of a Master of Science degree in clinical research, which allows students to gain experience in a research setting. Its small 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio creates a smaller classroom size and provides more personal attention for the students. Palmer College is located in Davenport, Iowa, but also has campus locations in California and Florida.
Logan College of Chiropractic's graduates are prepared for a career in the chiropractic field by an intense curriculum and by community service offering clinical experience. Logan College has two community health centers: Adult rehabilitation Center and St. Patrick's Center. Both community health centers allow students to treat patients with a wide range of health conditions as well as improve the lives of those in the community that might not receive healthcare any other way.
Logan College also offers another opportunity for students to succeed with the option of a Master of Science in Sports Science and Rehabilitation and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance. Students entering Logan's Chiropractic program have the option of completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology or a Bachelor of Science Degree in Life Science. Logan College of Chiropractic is located in Chesterfield, Missouri.