PREMED ACADEMIC PREPARATION
REQUIRED COURSEWORK

Most medical schools require certain foundation courses in the sciences, including laboratory components, along with a full year of college-level writing. A firm background in mathematics is strongly recommended by many medical schools, along with a full year of college-level writing. Required coursework includes one year, or its equivalent, of each of the following: general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physics.

Northwestern students usually take general chemistry and mathematics in the first year. The second and third years are devoted to organic chemistry, biology, and physics. You may satisfy the requirements for admission to most medical schools as follows:

General Chemistry. The requirement may be met by completing the three-quarter sequence Chemistry 101, 102, 103 or the two-quarter sequence Chemistry 171, 172 (with at least one AP or department test credit in general chemistry).

Organic Chemistry. Students should complete the full three-quarter sequence Chemistry 210-1,2,3. The sequence 212-1,2,3 also fulfills this requirement.

Biology. The minimum requirement of most medical schools will be satisfied by the three-quarter sequence Biological Sciences 210-1,2,3, offered during the regular academic year, or Biological Sciences 110-1,2,3, offered in Summer Session. Additional coursework in biology is required by some medical schools. Biochemistry, in particular, is required by some medical schools and strongly recommended by several others. Non-science majors are encouraged to consider taking upper level biological science coursework.

Physics. The requirement may be met by completing the one-year sequence Physics 130-1,2,3 (algebra-based) or 135-1,2,3 (calculus-based). Most natural science majors require 135; students with other majors may take either sequence. Students in Engineering do not need to take the first quarter of physics since this material is covered in the Engineering Analysis sequence.

Mathematics. Math requirements vary from school to school, but certainly a strong foundation in math is desirable. Mathematics 220 and 224 are strongly recommended. Students who plan to take Physics 135 must take the prerequisite courses Math 220, 224, and 230.

English/Writing-intensive courses. A majority of medical schools require one year of writing-intensive coursework. In most cases, this requirement may be met by taking three quarter-courses selected from the offerings of the Departments of English or Comparative Literature and/or the WCAS Freshman Seminar Program. For engineering students, certain writing-oriented courses in EDC may contribute to fulfilling this requirement.

Computer Science and Statistics. One or more classes in these areas are often highly valued by medical schools.

Additional requirements. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes a medical school directory, Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), that provides information on requirements for the individual medical schools. The MSAR is available at the University Academic Advising Center. Since some medical schools require or strongly recommend additional coursework, it is advisable to review the webpages of the professional schools to which you are interested in applying.

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