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- Premedical Undergraduate Academic Program
- Planning a Course Schedule
- General Information for Premedical Students
- How to Get Letters of Recommendation
- Four-Year Timetable to Prepare for Medical School
- Health Professional School Requirements
- Resources and Research Opportunities
Premedical Undergraduate Academic Program
The medical profession needs individuals from diverse educational backgrounds who will bring to the profession a variety of talents and interests.
All medical schools recognize the importance of a broad education with a strong foundation in the natural sciences, highly developed communication skills and a solid background in social sciences and humanities.
The following subject areas and courses offered at Connecticut College are required as preparation for all medical schools:
ALL REQUIRE:
- One year of Biology
- Two years of Chemistry with lab
- One year of Physics with lab
- One year of Mathematics
- One year of English
One year of Biology
Biology 105 (The Organism) AND Biology 106 (The Cell) will complete the one-year requirement for Biology. It is recommended (not required) that you take additional Biology courses. Biology 208, Genetics, Biology 202, Human Physiology, Biology 309, Molecular Biology are good choices.
Two years of Chemistry
Chemistry 103 and 104 OR 107 and 202 (General Chemistry) AND Chemistry 223 and 224 (Organic Chemistry) will complete the two-year requirement for Chemistry. It is strongly recommended (not required) you take Chemistry 324, Biological Chemistry OR Chemistry 303 and 304, Biochemistry.
One year of Physics
Physics 107 and 108 (General Physics) OR Physics 109 and 110 (General Physics/ Studio) (open only to Freshman) will complete the one-year requirement for Physics. Both Physics courses require Math 112 (Calculus I) as a prerequisite. It can be taken parallel.
One year of Mathematics
Only a small number of medical schools demand a specific course sequence in math. But all value mathematical competence, and many require or strongly recommend math courses. Increasing numbers of medical schools utilize computer theory and statistics.
Many schools specify Calculus I.
Math 112 (Calculus I) will complete the Calculus requirement. Choices for a second Math course include: Math 107 (Intro to Statistics) OR PSY 201 (Psychological Statistics) OR Math 113 (Calculus II) OR Com 110 (Intro to Computer Science).
Only Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Medical School and Washington University Medical School require Calculus I and II.
One year of English
Any courses offered by the English Department will satisfy one of the two semesters of English required. Some schools specify composition and literature.
Most medical schools accept our writing-enhanced or writing-intensive courses as satisfying the second semester of English.
NOTE : Osteopathic medical schools (http://www.aacom.org) veterinary schools (http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/college_requirement.htm) Physician Assistant programs (http://www.paeaonline.org/ProgListing.asp) require two semesters of English from the English Department.They DO NOT accept WI/WE courses.
MOST STRONGLY RECOMMEND: One year of Biochemistry
As of 2011, 13 of the 128 medical schools now require Biochemistry. They are:
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
- University of California, Irvine College of Medicine
- Florida State University College of Medicine – 2 semesters
- University of Florida College of Medicine
- University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine
- University of Michigan Medical School
- Mayo Medical School
- University of Minnesota Medical School – Minneapolis
- University of Nebraska College of Medicine
- University of New Mexico School of Medicine
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine (The Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Program)
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Chemistry 324 (Biological Chemistry) OR Chemistry 303 and 304 (Biochemistry) will satisfy the Biochemistry requirement. Check the MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements Guide) to find out if you need one semester or two and lab or no lab. School requirements vary. The MSAR guide can be purchased at our Connecticut College bookshop or at: http://www.aamc.org
Most veterinary and dental schools also require Biochemistry. Go to: http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/college_requirement.htm for Veterinary school requirements and to http://www.ada.org for dental school requirements.
NOTE:
A number of medical schools will not accept AP credit for the above courses. Most medical schools prefer that these courses be taken in the United States at your home institution. Requirements taken in summer session, at junior colleges or through long-distance or computer on-line learning programs are seen as less competitive. All of these courses should be completed before taking the Medical College Admission Test and applying to medical school.
Veterinary schools may require additional courses (e.g. statistics, microbiology, biochemistry, and genetics depending on the particular school) and requirements for other health professions may vary. For requirements of other health professions refer to Professional School Requirements in the Health Professions Handbook.
