Pediatricians help children stay healthy.
A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the care of babies, children and adolescents. Pediatricians diagnose illness, provide immunizations and check babies to ensure that they are achieving appropriate developmental milestones.
If you're interested in the sciences and want to work with children, preparation for a pediatrics career should begin early. Taking certain college classes can help you get into medical school and complete the necessary training.
Biology and Microbiology
A potential pediatrician should have a thorough understanding of biology. Take at least two semesters of college-level biology classes. Take additional courses in specific areas of biology such as microbiology. Learn all you can about using microscopes, as you will work with them in medical school and as a practicing pediatrician.
Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is the study of the chemistry of carbon-based life forms. A proper grounding in organic chemistry is vital to the physician. An understanding of biochemistry provides doctors with a fundamental understanding of how biological processes work inside the body and what happens when they go wrong. Candidates for admission to a program in pediatrics should take at least two semesters of organic chemistry.
Human Anatomy
Human anatomy is the study of the body's form and function. Doctors should study anatomy in order to understand how the body works. A doctor should be able to fully identify all parts of the body and name them. If possible, you should take a semester of human anatomy as an undergraduate to help you gain a full grounding in it before attending medical school. Spend time learning the basic differences between babies, children and adult bodies.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of human actions. Psychologists seek to understand how the mind reacts and help people who have cognitive and emotional problems. If you want to become a pediatrician, you should take at least a semester of basic human psychology. You should also take classes that focus more specifically on the emotions of children, such as adolescent psychology and early childhood psychology.
Math
Pediatricians need to be well versed in mathematics. A pediatrician should have a full grounding in mathematical concepts. An understanding of math enables a pediatrician to perform duties such as calculating the dosage for a specific medication and determining how much medication remains in a baby's body after several days.
Humanities
A doctor with well-rounded interests can find it easier to relate to his patients. Humanities classes will help you achieve that goal. A potential pediatrician should take classes that help develop interests outside of medicine. Take undergraduate classes in fields that you find interesting, such as current music, cinema and art history. If you can show a 14-year-old that you know what he's listening to, you can help him open up when you need to talk to him about more serious matters such as sexuality. An applicant who can demonstrate versatility may find it easier to get into medical school.
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