Premedical Studies in Yale College

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Pre-health students may and do major in any discipline without adversely affecting their admission into a health professions school. However, there are basic pre-requisite courses that must be completed prior to matriculation into a health profession school. A sample schedule is available to help you develop a 4-year course work plan (PDF).

Required Courses

You must complete two terms of general biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, college-level mathematics (calculus is preferred), and English. All science courses must be accompanied by labs, and all courses must be completed for a letter grade. All premedical courses must be completed at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Medical school admissions committees also recommend that you only take summer courses at your home institution.

Grades of C or higher are required in all areas noted below.

Chemistry (Inorganic) and Biochemistry
Lecture Lab	One year: Chem 112a and 113b; 114a and 115b; or 115a or 118a and one term of biochemistry* One term of biochemistry – either the MCDB or MB&B course is acceptable One year: Chem 116La and 117Lb; or 117La (if taking 115a); or 119La; MCDB 301/MB&B 251La
If you do not receive acceleration credit with 115a or 118a, 252b and biochemistry may be required depending on the school. If during freshman year you complete Chem 124a and 125b or 220a-221b and labs and receive two acceleration credits to fulfill general chemistry, you typically only need an additional term of biochemistry with lab. Check the requirements of your state school to be certain that they will accept this combination. Refer to the Medical School Admission Requirements. Biochemistry is required by several medical schools and most others highly recommend it.
Chemistry (Organic)
Lecture Lab	One year: Chem 124a and 125b; or 220a and 221b; or 225b and 227a One year: Chem 126La and 127Lb; or 222La or Lb and 223La or Lb
Biology
Lecture Lab	One year: Any course, but the area of MCDB is strongly recommended by medical schools One year
UTTexas Schools require two years of Biology; however they will accept one term of Biochemistry for one term of Biology. Biochemistry and Botany generally are not acceptable courses to fulfill the Biology requirement at other medical schools.
Physics
Lecture Lab	One year: Physics 170a, 171b; 180a, 181b; 200a, 201b; 260a, 261b One year: Physics 165La and 166Lb or 205La or Lb and 206La or Lb
Mathematics
Lecture	Through at least Math 115 or 116
If you place out of Math 115, you may take Math 120 or Statistics to satisfy the additional math requirement. Statistics courses of particular interest to premedical students include Stat 101a-106a, and Psyc 200a. Some schools may insist on one full year of calculus, but this is quite rare. Math 115, 116 or 120 plus statistics (see above) will satisfy this requirement. Be sure to check Medical School Admission Requirements as well as the medical school web pages for each school's particular requirements.
English
Lecture	One year: Any course
Courses in literature (translated into English) are acceptable to fulfill this requirement. Many medical schools prefer at least one writing course.

Additional Requirements

Keep in mind, the general information regarding the premed coursework required by most U.S. medical schools is provided here, but it is important to investigate the individual requisites for each school in which you plan to apply. Some schools, in particular the state-supported schools in California and Texas, require additional coursework. These requirements are listed in the Medical School Admission Requirements guide (MSAR), which is available in the library at UCS. (Please check the requirements of your state-supported schools, as nearly 70% of applicants attended medical school in their home state.)

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement courses and/or Acceleration Credits do not satisfy premedical requirements for admission to medical school, but may be used to elect advanced courses.

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