Traditionally, medical schools require the following undergraduate preparation at a minimum:
- full year of biology;
- full year of chemistry;
- full year of organic chemistry;
- full year of physics (trigonometry- or calculus-based);
It is important to realize that every medical school has its own specific set of prerequisite courses, and these change occasionally. Up-to-date prerequisites are usually listed somewhere on the admissions site for an MD program, so as you plan your courses you should keep a close eye on the websites of any schools you are interested in.
- Sample of prerequisites required for admission to the University of Minnesota Medical School (Twin Cities and Duluth).
Although some medical schools have become more flexible about specific requirements, the University of Minnesota, Morris Pre-med Advising Committee suggests you keep the following in mind:
- Admission to medical school is competitive. Successful candidates generally take courses well beyond these minimum requirements, especially in biology.
- Regardless of what courses a particular medical school requires for admission, the MCAT exam requires extensive knowledge of biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, verbal reasoning, and writing. We recommend completing General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Human Anatomy, and Introduction to Human Physiology before taking the exam.
- Important note: a completely new, revamped version of the MCAT will be in effect starting in 2015. See the MCAT webpage for details. In addition to the courses listed in the previous bullet, students taking the MCAT after January 1, 2015 should be sure to take Sociology 1101, Psychology 1051, and Statistics 1601 or 2601 before attempting the exam.
- Should you eventually decide on a different healthcare profession, other healthcare professional schools tend to have prerequisites resembling the more traditional medical school requirements.
Recommended pre-med courses »
- Chem 1101 - General Chemistry I
- Chem 1102 - General Chemistry II (prereq Chem 1101)
- Chem 2301 - Organic Chemistry I (prereq Chem 1102)
- Chem 2311 - Organic Lab (coreq Chem 2301)
- Chem 2302 - Organic Chemistry II (prereq Chem 2301)
- Biol 1111 - Fundamentals of Genetics, Evolution, and Development
- Biol 2111 - Cell Biology (prereq Biol 1101, Chem 1102)
- Biol 2102 - Human Anatomy
- Biol 2103 - Introduction to Human Physiology (prereq Biol 2102)
- Biol 3121 - Molecular Biology (prereq Biol 2111, Chem 2301)
- Biol 4211 - Biochemistry (prereq Biol 2111, Biol 3121, Chem 2302) (Biochem lab, Biol 4611) is not required except for Biochemistry majors)
- Biol 4312 - Genetics (prereq Biol 2111)
One semester of calculus:
Calculus-based physics courses for physics or chemistry majors:
- Phys 1101 - General Physics I (prereq Math 1101)
- Phys 1102 - General Physics II (prereq Phys 1101, Math 1102)
Trigonometry-based physics course for other majors:
Other courses:
- Psy 1051 - Introduction to Psychology
- Soc 1101 - Introductory Sociology
- Stats 2601 - Statistical Methods (prereq Math 1101 or Math 1021)
- or Stats 1601 - Introduction to Statistics
- Phil 2111 - Introduction to Ethics or another course in ethics.
At least one upper-level (3000 or 4000) course in the Humanities or Social Sciences
Suggested schedule for recommended pre-med courses »
Following this schedule for pre-med courses should allow you to successfully incorporate your general education and major courses to graduate in four years.
As your schedule permits
- Psy 1051 - Introduction to Psychology.
- Soc 1101 - Introductory Sociology
- Stats 1601 or 2601
- (Be sure to take psychology, sociology, and statistics before attempting the 2015 MCAT.)
- Math 1101/1102 - Calculus I and II (if required by your major or by a medical school to which you plan to apply).
- Phil 2111 - Introduction to Ethics or another course in ethics
- One 3000+ level course in Humanities or Social Science with a significant writing component.
Fall Year 1
- Chem 1101 - General Chemistry I
- Math 1011 - Precalculus (if necessary)
- Biol 1111 - Fundamentals of Genetics, Evolution, and Development
- Chem/Biochem/Physics majors: start calculus and physics courses
Spring Year 1
- Chem 1102 - General Chemistry II
Fall Year 2
- Biol 2111 - Cell Biology
- Chem 2301 - Organic Chemistry I
- Chem 2311 - Organic Chemistry I Lab
- Biol 2102 - Human Anatomy (or in year 3)
Spring Year 2
- Biol 3121 - Molecular Biology
- Chem 2302 - Organic Chemistry II
- Biol 2103 - Introduction to Human Physiology (or in year 3)
Fall Year 3
- Biol 4211 - Biochemistry (Bio 4611, the lab component, is highly recommended, especially for those who do not take Chem 2321)
- Physics 1091 - Principles of Physics I (Chemistry/Biochemistry/Physics majors must take the Physics 1101/1102 sequence plus Math 1101/1102)
Spring Year 3
- Biol 4312 - Genetics
- Physics 1092 - Principles of Physics II
Summer following Year 3
- Take the MCAT
- Apply to medical school
