<p>I picked up a dentist prerequisite form at the health advising center at Cal Poly: [imgur:</a> the simple image sharer](<a href=“http://imgur.com/QxatYeZ]imgur:”>Imgur: The magic of the Internet)
It basically shows the general idea of what you should take if you want to go into a dentist school. As you can see, the general prerequisite courses include:
- Bio 161, 162 Mcro 224
- Chem 127, 128, 129
- Organic Chemistry: 216, 217, 218, 219 (316, 317, 318 are ok)
- Physics: 121, 122, 123 OR 141/131, 132 133
- English - 3 quarters
And others depending on which schools you are applying to. </p>
<p>The only reason I suggested nutrition is because it has more prerequisites than kinesiology. For example, in the nutrition curriculum, you have to take:
Mcro 221/224
Chem 127
Chem 128,
Chem 312/316,
Bio 161.
Then, when you have to declare the concentration, you can do something like the nutrition science concentration. If you do that, you would take
Bio 302 (Genetics- if required for dental school)
Phys 121 (Required for dental school)
human anatomy (if required)
Phys 122 (required for dental school)
and there are other approved electives (you get 26 approved electives total) which include some of the organic chemistry series that are required for some dental schools, other bio classes, and other physic classes. </p>
<p>The kinesiology curriculum has:
- Bio 161
- Chem 127
- Phys 121
- Two human anatomy classes (if your dental school requires them)
However, the curriculum says: “students seeking a career in the health professions should consult with their academic advisor before making a selection.” I am not exactly sure how they would help you choose some classes. Perhaps, you would have to take more in addition to the 3-5 classes on the kinesiology curriculum. You would have to talk to them about that though. </p>
<p>I think that whether you choose kinesiology, nutrition, or some other major, you would be fine, :). If you like kinesiology better, I would just stick with that. It is better to stay with a major that you enjoy even if you may have to take more extra classes, than for example, nutrition. If you just speak with the advisor, he or she can probably help you plan out your schedule and tell you which classes you should take, etc.</p>