Students wishing to pursue medical or veterinary school are required to take a number of courses, and most of these courses are found in the college’s biology major. However, students can have any major in addition to the pre-med and pre-vet tracks. The science faculty can offer advice and assistance to students interested in these as well as other health-related professional schools including dentistry, optometry, physician’s assistant, doctor of podiatry and doctor of osteopathy.
Interested students should meet with a science faculty member to discuss career planning and admission requirements. In addition, practitioners and school representatives are often invited to campus to assist students in their plans for the future.
The following are the core prerequisite courses required by most schools:
- Biology, at least two semesters (one semester should include BIO 106)
- General chemistry and organic chemistry two semesters each (CHE 101, 102, 307, 308)
- Biochemistry one semester (BIO 304)
- Calculus and/or statistics at least one semester (MAT 220 and/or 221)
- Physics two semesters (PHY 101, 102)
Many schools have specific requirements for upper-level biology courses such as genetics, microbiology and cell biology, and additional subjects may include writing, psychology or sociology. In addition, pre-medical students need to consider biology coursework that will aid in preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). It is strongly suggested (but not required) that pre-medical and pre-veterinary students consider the biology major.
Suggested registration for biology majors who are on the pre-medical or pre-veterinary track is listed below. The biology program coordinator can discuss the variations in prerequisite coursework and can help students plan accordingly.
*It is recommended that students without a strong science or mathematics background (two years of high school algebra) consider mathematics preparation (MAT206) prior to the chemistry and math sequence. Students can then enroll in chemistry 101/102 second year, organic chemistry third year and biochemistry and physics during their final year. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor for assistance.