Pre-med requirements

Medical schools generally require the following courses:

  • 1 year of general biology with labs
  • 1 year of general chemistry with labs
  • 1 year of organic chemistry with labs
  • 1 year of general physics with labs

Some medical schools also may require biochemistry, math, English and/or other courses.

In preparation for the MCAT 2015, students should plan to take one semester each of genetics, cell biology, psychology, and sociology. Two semesters of biochemistry may substitute for cell biology.

Information about the requirements for specific allopathic medical schools can be found in the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), a publication of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Information about the requirements for specific osteopathic medical schools can be found in the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book (CIB), a publication of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

It is important that students identify the medical schools to which they plan to apply, so that the required courses can be incorporated into their four year schedule of courses.