About BS/DMD Professional Scholars Program: 

Augusta University offers two program options: 3/4 and 4/4.  Both program options provide a lockstep curriculum where courses are taken in a prescribed sequence meant to build on the previous course content.  Students enrolled in the accelerated 3/4 program have the option to switch at any time to the 4/4 Program.  Due to the nature of the lockstep curriculum students enrolled in the 4/4 program do not have the option to change to the 3/4 program. 

Students in the 3+4 BS/DMD Program will take a minimum of 90 credit hours toward the B.S. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology under the direction of the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and Mathematics.  The requirements for the B.S. degree will be completed with 30 credit hours of coursework taken during the first year of dental school under the direction of the Dental College of Georgia. 

Students in the 4+4 BS/DMD Program will take all 120 credit hours required for the B.S. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology under the direction of the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and Mathematics.

Students accepted into the BS/DMD Program at Augusta University will be enrolled in a minimum of fifteen credit hours per semester, and they do not have the option to take courses out of sequence, repeat courses, or take courses at another institution during the summer.  The BS/DMD Program retains the ability to remove students who do not comply with program requirements, academic requirements, and policies of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia, and Augusta University.  

Visit our Office of Admissions to see the program's Application & Admissions Information

Credit for Advanced Placement courses is accepted for pre-calculus, statistics, for the first freshman chemistry course, and for any non-science course.  These courses are replaced in the curriculum with electives of the students’ choice.  Students are required to report all AP test scores.

All students in the BS/DMD program will be evaluated to a standard of professional competencies consistent with a future career in dentistry. The Professional Scholars Program retains the ability to remove students that do not comply with program requirements, academic requirements, and policies of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia, and Augusta University.  

Contact Us

BS-DMD Program

Health Sciences Campus

College of Science and Mathematics Building

BIOLOGY@augusta.edu

3/4 OPTION REQUIREMENTS

In the 3/4 option the first three years of study will consist of coursework necessary to satisfy the majority of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Cell and Molecular Biology.   Due to the nature of the lockstep curriculum all courses are to be taken during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year.  Students enrolled in the 3/4 program will be enrolled in a minimum of fifteen credit hours per semester, and they do not have the option to take courses out of sequence, repeat courses, enroll in summer courses or take courses at another institution during the summer.  In the fourth year, students who have successfully completed all program requirements detailed below will join the first year class of dental school at the Dental College of Georgia.  After the fourth year, students will receive the baccalaureate degree.

In addition to the benchmarks indicated in the table below, the following must be satisfied in order for students to progress in the program:

Requirements Cumulative GPA Science & Mathematics GPA Interview Volunteer Clinical Service DAT AADSAS DCG Secondary Application Research
 Year One 3.6 3.6 Apr.  May begin in the second semester Begin preparation     May begin spring semester
Year Two 3.6 3.6   Continue Prep course May - Jul. Jun. - Aug.   Must begin by fall semester 
Year Three 3.6 3.6 Dec. 75 Clinical Hrs + 50 Non-Profit Hrs completed by Oct.1 Completed by Sep. 1 Completed by Sep. 1 Completed by Sep. 30 Completed by Oct. 1 

 

4/4 Option Requirements

In the 4/4 option students will complete all requirements and receive the Bachelor of Science with a major in Cell and Molecular Biology.  Due to the nature of the lockstep curriculum all courses are to be taken during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year.  Students in the 4/4 program will be enrolled in a minimum of fifteen credit hours per semester, and they do not have the option to take courses out of sequence, repeat courses, or take courses at another institution during the summer.  In the fifth year, students who have successfully completed all program requirements detailed below will join the first year class of dental school at the Dental College of Georgia. 

In addition to the benchmarks indicated in the table below, the following must be satisfied in order for students to progress in the program:

 

Requirements  Cumulative GPA Science & Mathematics GPA Interview Volunteer Clinical Service DAT AADSAS DCG Secondary Application Research
Year One 3.4 3.4  Apr. May begin in the second semester Begin preparation     May begin spring semester
Year Two 3.5 3.5   Continue Begin preparation     Must begin by fall semester 
Year Three 3.5 3.5   Continue Prep courses May - Jul. Jun. - Aug.     
Year Four 3.6 3.6 Dec. 75 Clinical Hrs + 50 Non-Profit Hrs completed by Oct.1  Completed by Sep. 1 Completed by Sep. 1  Completed by Sep. 30 Completed by Oct. 1 

 

 

BS/DMD REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

These required professional competencies were derived from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies and help define the foundational skills every practicing physician should possess. These form the foundation for assessment in dental school, residency and future practice. The competencies have been modified to levels appropriate for the pre-professional student.

  1. Patient Care and Procedural Skills

a. Expected of medical professionals: must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
b. Expected of BS/DMD students: must complete a minimum of 75 clinical hours

 

  1. Basic Science/Medical Knowledge

a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences
b. Expected of BS/MD students: must meet minimum yearly academic requirements to remain in the BS/DMD Professional Scholars Program

 

  1. Practice-based Learning and Improvement

a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve future patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.
b. Expected of BS/DMD students: develop skills and habits commensurate to meet the following goals:
     i. identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise
     ii. set learning and improvement goals
     iii. identify and perform appropriate learning activities
     iv. incorporate formative evaluation feedback into daily practice
     v. locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health problems
     vi. use information technology to optimize learning
     vii. participate in the education of others including students, patients, families, and health professionals when applicable

 

  1. Interpersonal and Communication Skills

a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with others.
b. Expected of BS/MD students:
     i. communicate effectively with colleagues, faculty, the public, patients and families (when applicable), as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
     ii. work effectively as a member or leader of a team or other pre-professional group
     iii. maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible assignments and communications
c. Students meeting minimum program requirements will be assigned an interview date with DCG after receipt and verification of the DCG secondary application. Interviews must be completed by December 10th of the 3rd year (or 4th year if applicable)

 

  1. Professionalism

a. Expected of medical professionals: must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles
b. Expected of BS/DMD students: demonstrate:
     i. compassion, integrity, and respect for others
     ii. responsiveness to others needs that supersedes self-interest
     iii. respect for patient privacy and autonomy (when applicable)
     iv. accountability to colleagues, faculty, and society which aligns with a future profession in medicine
     v. sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation

All professional dental scholars will receive a semi-annual review, based upon the above five core competencies, with the BS-DMD program director. All scholars will then be reviewed annually by the BS-DMD Oversight committee, which upon current good standing in the program, will be recommended advancement to the next year of the program. Those individuals who do not meet the above competencies may be referred to a hearing in front of the BS-DMD Oversight committee. The Dental Professional Scholars Program retains the ability to remove students that do not comply with program requirements, academic requirements, and policies of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia, and Augusta University.

Derived from: ACGME Common Program Requirements