Prehealth Professions (allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, and veterinary medicine)
There is no official "premed" major. While the majority of
prehealth students major in the biological sciences or chemistry,
individuals can major in any subject, including nonscience, with the
provision that the core courses listed below are fulfilled.
Core Curriculum
Health professional schools require the successful completion of
specific science courses in addition to basic undergraduate course
work. Schools generally require, at minimum, the following subjects:
21&62:120:101-102 General Biology (4,4)
21&62:160:113-114 General Chemistry Laboratory (1,1)
21&62:160:115-116 General Chemistry (4,4)
21&62:160:331 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
21&62:160:335-336 Organic Chemistry (4,4)
21&62:750:203-204 General Physics (3,3) or 21&62: 750:213-214 Elements of Physics (3,3)
21&62:750:205-206 Introductory Physics Laboratory
(1,1) mathematics (3-6 credits), typically through
21&62:640:114 Precalculus (3), but some schools may require
21&62:640:135 Calculus 1 (4)
Since professional school
requirements are subject to change, students should consult individual
schools for information. Psychology, ethics, logic, or other specific
courses are sometimes required, and upper-level courses in the sciences
are strongly encouraged.
Typical Science Programs
The core curriculum should be completed by the end of the third year,
with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average, and in advance of
the nationwide standardized examinations for the health professions
(see below), which should be taken prior to the senior year.
A
typical program for a student entering with a solid science background,
excluding other credits required for graduation, might look as follows:
First Year
General biology (4)
General chemistry (10)
Mathematics (3 to 6)
Sophomore Year
Organic chemistry (10)
Upper-level biology (3 to 4)
Junior Year
Physics (8)
Senior Year
Completion of college credits for graduation
For students with an average science background, a typical program might look as follows:
First Year
General biology (10)
Mathematics (3 to 6)
Sophomore Year
General chemistry (10)
Upper-level biology (3 to 4)
Junior Year
Organic chemistry (10)
Physics (8)
Senior Year
Completion of college credits for graduation
Professional schools typically expect applicants to have superior
scholastic records. Competition for admission is intense. Schools weigh
not only grades, but also scores on the standardized entrance
examination, the college letter of recommendation, and extracurricular
activities, as well as seriousness of intentions. Students lacking at
least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average by the conclusion of the
first year should seriously consider changing their career goals.
The following are the standardized admission tests for the health professions:
for allopathic, osteopathic and podiatric schools: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
for dental schools: Dental Admission Test (DAT)
for optometry schools: Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and
for veterinary schools: Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT),
Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Medical College Admission Test
(MCAT)
Interested students should consult in their first year
with Victoria Watts (973/353-5800). Qualified upper-level students
should contact Dr. John Maiello, chairperson, Prehealth Advisory
Committee (973/353-5705), as should students seeking specific
information or meetings.
