Pre-Medicine
"Pre-Med" means you are following a course of study which will prepare you to apply to a medical school (or other post-graduate health profession). As a pre-med student, you will take classes and gain experience that post-graduate schools look for in qualified applicants. Pre-Medicine is not a degree program. It is a curriculum designed to prepare you to apply to a health professional school.
First Year Advisor
CSET Advising Center
Office: 125 Trafton Center
Phone: 507-389-1521
Email: csetadvising@mnsu.edu
Faculty Advisory Team
Geoffrey Goellner, Ph.D. (for Biology majors)
Office: 345 Trafton South
Phone: 507-389-5873
Email: geoffrey.goellner@mnsu.edu
David Sharlin, Ph. D. (for Biology majors)
Office: 342 Trafton South
Phone: 507-389-1085
Email: david.sharlin@mnsu.edu
Marie Pomije, Ph.D. (for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors)
Office: 345 Ford Hall
Phone: 507-389-5917
Email: marie.pomije@mnsu.edu
Specific course requirements for admission to medical school vary among the different medical schools in the United States. To be eligible for admission at a particular medical school, students must fulfill the requirements of that school. Students are encouraged to keep themselves apprised of requirements for specific school by consulting appropriate Websites.
Typical requirements include (but are not limited to):
General Biology (8 credits minimum):
- BIOL 105
- BIOL 106
Students are encouraged to take additional electives from the following list to enhance their knowledge in basic biology: BIOL 211, BIOL 220, BIOL 270, BIOL 316, BIOL 320, BIOL 330, BIOL 435, BIOL 474.
Chemistry with laboratory (general, inorganic and organic chemistry (14 credits minimum):
- General chemistry: CHEM 201, CHEM 202
- Organic chemistry: CHEM 322, plus CHEM 323
- Biochemistry: CHEM 360
Students are encouraged to take CHEM 305 as an elective.
Physics with laboratory (8 credits minimum):
- PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 or
- PHYS 221 and PHYS 222
Mathematics (introductory course in calculus and upper level statistics):
- MATH 121
- HLTH 475
English or literature (one year):
- ENG 101
- An additional 4 credits of writing intensive coursework in English
Students are encouraged to take ENG 271W as an elective.
Social and Behavior Sciences and Humanities (18 credits minimum):
- Students are encouraged to include PSYC 101, SOC 101 and PHIL 222W among these electives.
The completion of a baccalaureate degree is required for admittance to a medical school in most cases. Medical schools look most favorably upon the academically well-rounded student who has a strong scholastic record and unique life experiences that engender a commitment to a career in medicine. Students should pursue majors in subjects of their own choosing, as medical schools accept applicants from all academic majors, provided admission prerequisites are met. Majoring in one of the sciences - biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, etc., has the advantage of incorporating many or all of the courses listed above. Furthermore, the technical language of medical science is derived primarily from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and psychology. Students who plan to enter medical school must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Typically, students begin the application process to medical school during the summer following their junior year. For their application to be complete, they must report their MCAT scores. MCAT's are offered on various dates throughout the year.
