San Diego State University Preprofessional Health Advising Office

SPRING 2012

BIOLOGY 250B Schedule 20398

TOPICS IN DENTISTRY

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Monday 4:00 to 4:50 p.m., Room LS-134 (except where noted*)

Coordinators:

Raichel Lipumano

Rosalinda Nguyen

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Barbara W. Huntington, Director
Preprofessional Health Advising Office
GMCS-323, Phone 594-6638

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Prerequisites--An interest in dentistry as a career.

Course Purpose: This seminar course invites dental specialists to speak each spring to give you a realistic view of the dental profession. In addition, it provides students the opportunity to gain a head start on their dental school applications. If you have already taken this class for credit, you are welcome to visit and listen to the speakers on a space available basis. This class is run by students with the professor acting in the role of facilitator. There are specific requirements to pass the class, but your input and enthusiasm are vital to making it a strong learning experience for you and your classmates.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this class, students will:

• Gain exposure to the various specialties of dentistry
• Develop some knowlege about, and be able to discuss, the requirements for admission into dental school
• Gain role models in dentistry
• Have a realistic view of dentistry today and what it may be like in the future
• Network with working dentists
• Gain knowledge of support/club organizations as well as extra curricular and leadership opportunities
• Become familiar with the application process
• Complete a personal statement
• Explore current topics in dentistry including ethical issues

Course Required Text:

Huntington, Barbara and Masse, Linda, 2003. Writing About Me: A step by step guide to developing a powerful personal statement for your application to schools of medicine, dentistry, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, podiatry and veterinary medicine.

Recommended Texts:
ADEA (American Dental Education Association), Official Guide to Dental Schools-This is published annually--Verify you have the latest edition.

Medley, A. Sweaty Palms. 1992. Ten Speed Press.

Course Evaluation: Credit/No Credit based on:

1) Attendance (based on signing attendance sheet)

Since it is not polite to invite a speaker and then have few people attend class because of studying for another class or other non emergency matter,, ONLY ONE UNEXCUSED ABSENCE IS ACCEPTED. An unexcused absence must be made up by submitting a one-page paper on the topic that was missed no later than one week after the absence. Excused absences (illness, death in family) must be submitted in writing to Barbara Huntington.

2) Speaker Evaluations

Speaker evaluations will be posted on blackboard. Speaker evaluations will be counted as part of your final grade and must be uniquely yours.

3) Personal Statement: Due on February 27, 2012

Write a personal statement for you dental school application. Start reading a completing Writing about Me as directed in the class schedule. During Spring Break, start brainstorming and writing the personal statement. The 2-3 page personal statement, double-spaced is due April 11, 2011, edited and stapled.

4) Ethics Paper: Complete paper Due on April 16, 2012

The choice of topics for the paper will be made available by the class coordinators by the second week of classes. Provide all sources and citations in APA format. The individual due dates follow:

Ethics Paper Important Dates:
March 5, 2012: Topic and Thesis
March 19, 2012: List of three peer reviewed references (APA format)
April 16, 2012: Completed ethics paper due

5) Final Portfolio: Due April 30, 2012

The final portfolio will include an AADSAS application, a paragraph evaluation of your favorite speaker, and a page discussion of a dental specialty that interests you.

Assignments:

• Writing Assignments: All writing assignments assined throughout the semester will be collected at the beginning of the class period and will require the following formatting:
  
  · Times New Roman Font Size 12
  · Margins 1"
  · Double Space
  
  Please retain copies of all assignments.

• Guidelines: Papers must include references to peer-reviewed journals. Wikipedia and other mass media may be used originally for background material, but should not be quoted or otherwise used as references.
• Guidelines for Writing Papers for this class. To find out what a peer-reviewed journal is, go to the Applied Health Sciences Library or http://www.systems.wsu.edu/bin/libdocs/instruction/PeerRevJourn.pdf

Health care professionals are held to high ethical standards. Please be aware of the school's policy on academic dishonesty requiring professors to report all cases of academic dishonesty.

Class Schedule

Please retain copies of everything you turn in. Be sure your name is on each document.

Speaker Schedule:

**Predental Club Meeting at 5 in Calpulli 4104.

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