Curriculum Information for Premed Students
Premedical students may and do major in any discipline without adversely affecting admission to medical school. There are however, some basic requirements for admission to most U.S. medical schools, and you will find them listed below.
Brief questions regarding premed curriculum requirements can be addressed during Open hours at Career Services. For the most current Open Office hours schedule call 432-0818. In addition, during the first two weeks of each term, premedical curricular questions are answered on alternating afternoons from 3:30-4:45pm. Please check the UCS web calendar for specific dates.
Required Courses
You must complete two terms of general biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, college-level mathematics (calculus is preferred), and English. All science courses must be accompanied by labs, and all courses must be completed for a letter grade.
(Grades of C or higher are required in all of the areas noted below.)
Chemistry (Inorganic) |
Lecture |
One year:
Chem 112a and 113b; 114a and 115b; or 118a and 252b
|
Lab |
One year:
Chem 116La and 117Lb; 119La; 251Lb
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- If during your freshman year you complete Chem 124a and 125b or 220a-221b and labs and receive two acceleration credits to fulfill general chemistry, you will usually only need an additional term of biochemistry with laboratory. However, you should check the requirements of your state school to be certain that they will accept this combination. Refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements.
|
Chemistry (Organic) |
Lecture |
One year:
Chem 124a and 125b; or 220a and 221b; or 225b and 227a
|
Lab |
One year:
CChem 126La and 127Lb; or 222La or Lb and 223La or Lb
|
Biology |
Lecture |
One year: Any course, but the area of MCDB is strongly recommended by medical schools. |
Lab |
One year. |
- UTTexas Schools require two years of Biology; however they will accept one term of Biochemistry for one term of Biology.
- Biochemistry and Botany generally are not acceptable courses to fulfill the Biology requirement at other medical schools.
|
Physics |
Lecture |
One year:
Physics 150a, 151b; 180a, 181b; 200a, 201b; 260a, 261b |
Lab |
One year:
Physics 165La and 166Lb or 205La or Lb and 206La or Lb |
Mathematics |
Lecture |
Through at least Math 115. |
- If you place out of Math 115, you may take Math 120 or Statistics to satisfy the additional math requirement. Statistics courses of particular interest to premedical students include Stat 101a-106a, and Psyc 200a.
- Some schools may insist on one full year of calculus, but this is quite rare. Math 115 or 120 plus statistics (see above) will satisfy this requirement. Be sure to check Medical School Admission Requirements as well as the medical school web pages for each school's particular requirements.
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English |
Lecture |
One year: Any course. |
- Courses in literature (translated into English) are acceptable to fulfill this requirement. Many medical schools prefer at least one writing course.
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Additional Requirements
Keep in mind, the general information regarding the premed coursework required by most U.S. medical schools is provided here, but it is important to investigate the individual requisites for each school in which you plan to apply. Some schools, in particular the state-supported schools in California and Texas, require additional coursework. These requirements are listed in the Medical School Admission Requirements guide (MSAR), which is available in the library at UCS. (Please check the requirements of your state-supported schools, as nearly 70% of applicants attended medical school in their home state.)
Examples of schools requiring additional premedical coursework
Timing
There is no prescribed sequence for premedical courses, but since you will be judged on the basis of the work you have completed when you apply for admission to medical school (usually the summer after your junior year), you should have finished the required courses before senior year. Freshmen premedical students often elect at least two courses each semester in the areas of science and mathematics. Most students will want to fulfill the general chemistry requirement during their first year in addition to some course work in biology and/or mathematics. However, each applicant's secondary school preparation and primary area of academic interest are quite different. Depending upon your AP credits and your intended major, you may wish to discuss your course selection with your freshman advisor, the Director of Undergraduate Studies in your intended major, or a health professions advisor at Undergraduate Career Services (UCS).
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement courses and/or Acceleration Credits do not satisfy premedical requirements for admission to medical school, but may be used to elect advanced courses.
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