Pre-Health Professions

Pre-Health Requirement PDF

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental or Pre-Optometry

Most pre-health professional students major in Biology or Chemistry (and a minor in Biology or Chemistry) because of the number of courses required in these areas, but keep in mind that other majors are possible. Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental or Pre-Optometry are not majors on their own. Requirements for a declared major and minor must be met to graduate. The recommended curriculum below is suggested to meet both the required and recommended prerequisites of most of the schools, as well as to prepare you for the Medical College (MCAT), Optometry (OAT), or Dental Admission Test (DAT).

Biology
BIOL 150 (General Biology)
BIOL 230 (General Zoology)
BIOL 240 (Cell Biology)
BIOL 324 (Microbiology)
BIOL 341 and BIOL 342 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II)
MCATs include BIOL 350 (Genetics)

Additional recommended Biology courses can include genetics, immunology, molecular biology, and developmental biology

Chemistry
CHEM 121 and CHEM 122, (General Chemistry 1 and 2)
CHEM 231, CHEM 232, CHEM 236, CHEM 237 (Organic Chemistry 1 and 2)
Optometry School - CHEM 361 (Biochemistry)
Dental School - CHEM 361, most with lab
Medical School - CHEM 361 and CHEM 362 strongly recommended

Physics
PHYS 151 and 156, (Algebra-Based Physics I and Lab)
PHYS 152 and PHYS 157 (Algebra-Based Physics II and Lab)

Math
Optometry School - Mathematics courses through MATH 166 (Calculus), a select few require a second semester of Calculus; and Statistics

Dental School - No mathematics prerequisite, but Geometry, Algebra, and Trigonometry are covered in the DAT, Statistics is required

Medical School - Most require or recommend mathematics courses through MATH 166 (Calculus) and statistics

Generals
PSYC 101 (Introduction to Psychology), COMS 101 (Speech), SOCI 100, ENGL 100 and ENGL 200 are usually required or strongly recommended. Writing intensive or literature classes, are also required by some (Univ. of MN)

Occupational Therapy
OPTION B MINOR
Biology requirements include BIOL 150, Cell, and A and P, Bio Greek and Latin. There are no chemistry requirements. Psychology - PSYC 101, (Intro), PSYC 236 (Child and Adolescent Psychology), PSYC 336 (Adulthood and Aging), PSYC 325 (Abnormal Psychology) SOCI 101, Mathematics - Statistics, PHYS 151 and PHYS 157

Physical Therapy
OPTION B MINOR consisting of PHYS 152, PHYS 157 (Algebra Based Physics II)
MATH 166 (not all schools require Calculus, but UM does)
PSYC 236 (Childhood and Adolescence)
PSYC 336 (Adulthood and Aging)
PSYC 325 (Abnormal Psychology)
PED 354 (Biomechanics)
HEAL 215 (Nutrition)
HEAL 366 (Exercise Physiology)

Physician Assistan t
Biology requirements include BIOL 150, BIOL 230 (Zoology) BIOL 243, BIOL 325 (Microbiology) BIOL 341 and BIOL 342, BIOL 350
General Chemistry, Organic and Biochemistry (1 full year)
Statistics, PSYC 101 (intro), PSYC 236 (Childhood and Adolescence) and PSYC 336 (Adulthood and Aging), some also require PSYC 325 (Abnormal)

Chiropractic
BIOL 150, BIOL 230 (Zoology), BIOL 324 (Microbiology) BIOL 341 and BIOL 342 (A &P I, II)
CHEM 121 and CHEM 122 (General Chem), CHEM 231/ CHEM 236 and CHEM 232/ CHEM 237 (Organic), suggest Biochemistry but not required
PHYS 151/ PHYS 156 (General Physics with lab) and one of the following PHYS 152/ PHYS 157 (2nd semester physics)
PED 354 (Biomechanics)
MATH 226 (Stats)
PSYC 101 (General Psychology)
15 credits Social/Behavioral Sciences/Humanities