Pre-Med Recommended Coursework

Traditionally, medical schools require the following undergraduate preparation at a minimum:

A full year of

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• 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:

1. Admission to medical school is competitive. Successful candidates generally take courses well beyond these minimum requirements, especially in biology.
2. We recommend completing the following courses before attempting the MCAT exam:
   
   • General Chemistry I and II
   • Organic Chemistry I and II
   • Physics I and II
   • Cell Biology
   • Molecular Biology
   • Biochemistry
   • Human Anatomy
   • Introduction to Human Physiology
   • Sociology 1101
   • Psychology 1051
   • Statistics 1601 or 2601
3. 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

Chemistry

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)

Biology

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:

• Math 1101 or 1021

Calculus-based physics courses for physics or chemistry majors:

Physics

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:

Physics

Phys 1091 - Principles of Physics I
Phys 1092 - Principles of Physics II (prereq Phys 1091)

Other courses:

• Psychology: Psy 1051 - Introduction to Psychology
• Sociology: Soc 1101 - Introductory Sociology
• Statistics
  • Stats 2601 - Statistical Methods (prereq Math 1101 or Math 1021)
  • or Stats 1601 - Introduction to Statistics
• Philosophy: 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

• Psychology: Psy 1051 - Introduction to Psychology.
• Sociology: Soc 1101 - Introductory Sociology
• Statistics: 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).
• Philosophy: 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

• Chemistry: Chem 1101 - General Chemistry I
• Math 1012 - Precalculus (if necessary)
• Biology: Biol 1111 - Fundamentals of Genetics, Evolution, and Development
• Chem/Biochem/Physics majors: start calculus and physics courses

Spring Year 1

• Chemistry: Chem 1102 - General Chemistry II

Fall Year 2

Biology

Biol 2111 - Cell Biology
Biol 2102 - Human Anatomy (or in year 3)

Chemistry

Chem 2301 - Organic Chemistry I
Chem 2311 - Organic Chemistry I Lab

Spring Year 2

Biology

Biol 3121 - Molecular Biology
Biol 2103 - Introduction to Human Physiology (or in year 3)

Chemistry

Chem 2302 - Organic Chemistry II

Fall Year 3

• Biology: Biol 4211 - Biochemistry (Bio 4611, the lab component, is highly recommended, especially for those who do not take Chem 2321)
• Physics: Physics 1091 - Principles of Physics I (Chemistry/Biochemistry/Physics majors must take the Physics 1101/1102 sequence plus Math 1101/1102)

Spring Year 

• Biology: Biol 4312 - Genetics
• Physics: Physics 1092 - Principles of Physics II

Summer following Year 3

• Take the MCAT
• Apply to medical school