Chiropractic, Bachelor of Science Pre-Professional

Contact Information
Contact Name: 
Dr. Jane MacNeil
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean

Program Information

Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
University Transfer Program

Two Year Pre-Professional Program:

Please note that course work for pre-professional programs varies as per university. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they are taking correct pre-professional coursework when applying the a University other than specified in the Calendar.

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

International Students and Students applying outside of their home province are advised to consult the calendar of the institution to which you will be applying regarding its policy on admitting international and out-of-province students. This may vary between institutions.

The Program

With the exception of the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, a Pre-Chiropractic program requires three years of post-secondary study. RDC offers the first two years after which the third year is completed at a university.

In Canada, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto offers the Doctor of Chiropractic program in English and the Universite du Quebec offers Doctorat en Chiropractique in French. Students may also attend one of the many chiropractic colleges in the United States or the New Zealand College of Chiropractic.

The New Zealand College of Chiropractic requirements can be met at RDC after two years of study. The New Zealand College of Chiropractic does not require a third year of university study for admission.

Program Admission Features

Admission to the Pre-Professional Program for Chiropractic at RDC does not guarantee admission to a chiropractic college. You should fulfill the Pre-Professional Program to meet chiropractic college admission requirements and also design your program so you can work towards a Bachelor's degree. Competitive admission to professional programs requires a high grade point average. Check with universities to be aware of specific admission requirements.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

1. Minimum average of 60% and no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. Chemistry 30
  3. ELA 30-1
  4. Math 30-1
  5. Subject from Group A, B, or C (Physics 30 is required for most chiropractic colleges in the U.S.A.)

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Program Content

Admission to chiropractic colleges requires a minimum of two or three full years of university study while some colleges require a Bachelor's degree. You must make sure you meet admission and minimum course load requirements for the professional program as well as your alternate degree program.

Minimum program content includes:

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • PSYC 260 (3 credits)
  • Social Sciences or Humanities (9 credits)

Suggested Pattern Year 2

See an Academic Advisor for details.

Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

An introduction to how the diverse organisms on this planet have been affected by their ennvironment and how the current environment is the product of the activities or organisms. The course also examines how evolution has operated over long time periods to produce major groups of organisms and how evolutionary origins are reflected in their classsification. The principles that underlie our understanding of the major lineages will be discussed using examples from bacteria; fungi; protists; animals; and plants. A description of the involvement of organisms in major ecosystem processes leads to an evaluation of the stability of those systems and of human impact on the processes. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order

CHEM 211

Stoichiometry; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; acids and bases; buffers; titrations. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30

CHEM 212

Titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; entropy and Gibbs energy; chemical kinetics; electrochemistry; bonding and structure. Prerequisite: CHEM 211

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

PSYC 260

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; the biological foundations of behavior; genes and evolution; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning and adaptation; and memory. Note: This course is a prerequisite for most psychology courses and is normally followed by PSYC 261.