Pre-Med
Courses & Curriculum
Students interested in professional careers in medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, physician assistant, veterinary medicine, and other health professional programs may major in any subject. Many students naturally have an interest in the sciences so most frequently major in biology, chemistry or biochemistry. However, you may major in any subject to go onto a health professional school. Recently, a growing number of students have majored in psychology, mathematics, English, philosophy and others. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves in the Core Curriculum courses to develop critical thinking and reasoning skills as well as to expand their world view. Courses with service-learning components and languages are particularly useful.
There are many different routes to completing pre-professional coursework and the variety of other activities needed for successful entry into professional school. Take advantage of the advising services in the Pre-Medical Center to explore your options.
Course requirements vary by each profession and by each school. As an example, students interested in medicine and dentistry generally take the following:
- Biology: At least one year of general biology with laboratory (BIO 111-112).
- Chemistry: One year of general chemistry and one year of organic chemistry with laboratories (CHM 111-112, 227-228).
- Biochemistry: May be satisfied by taking BIO211/212 or BCH301 (BCH302 is recommended.)
- Physics: One year of introductory physics with laboratory (PHY 201-202 or 223-224).
- Math: Some of the more competitive medical schools require one or more semesters of calculus. Many programs require Statistics. Students are encouraged to take at least Calculus I (MTH111 or MTH109/110) and Statistics (MTH111 or PSY201.)
- English: One year of college English which stresses composition (FYS 101-ENG 101).
- Behavioral Science: Introductory Psychology and Introductory Sociology
Students interested in medicine or any health profession should contact the Pre-Med/Pre-Health Office Health at (716 )888-3208 or visit us in Science Hall Room 1026.
Typical Pre-Med Professional Program for Non-Science Majors
Fall |
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Spring |
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Freshman Year |
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FYS 101 |
3 credits |
ENG 101 |
3 credits |
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BIO 111 |
4 credits |
BIO 112 |
4 credits |
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CHM 111 |
4 credits |
CHM 112 |
4 credits |
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Calculus or Statistics |
4 credits |
Calculus or Statistics |
4 credits |
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Total |
15 credits |
Total |
15 credits |
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Sophomore Year |
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PHI 101 |
3 credits |
RST 101 |
3 credits |
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CHM 227 |
4 credits |
CHM 228 |
4 credits |
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PSY101 |
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3 credits |
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SOC101 |
3 credits |
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Courses in major |
6 - 8 credits |
Courses in major |
6-8 credits |
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Total |
16-18 credits |
Total |
16-18 credits |
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Junior Year |
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PHY 201 |
4 credits |
PHY 202 |
4 credits |
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BCH 301* |
3 credits |
Courses in major |
12 credits |
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Courses in major |
10 credits |
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Total |
17 credits |
Total |
16 credits |
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*BIO211/212 may also be taken |
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Senior Year |
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Course in major and/or Core |
15-18 credits |
Course in major and/or Core |
15-18 credits |
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Total |
15-18 credits |
Total |
15-18 credits |
The program is flexible; it represents a model that could easily be modified to meet the requirements of most departments. Students with weaker math or science preparation should not take Biology, Chemistry and Math during the Freshman year. Once students have decided upon a major, they must design their own curriculum with the guidance and approval of both the chair of that major and a Health Science advisor.
The program must meet the requirements of the:
- college Core curriculum
- major chosen (i.e., English, philosophy, psychology, etc.)
- and of the health-professional schools the student is applying to.
