Pre-Medical
Offered by Health Science Programs
The College of Medicine of the University of Nebraska Medical Center requires a minimum of 90 semester credit hours for admission. However, students pursuing a pre-medical curriculum are expected to choose a major so that they can be working towards a baccalaureate degree concurrently with the pre-medical program. This requires a major/minor combination or a comprehensive major as well as completion of the UNK general studies requirements and other degree requirements as set forth in the college catalog. Medical schools do not specify which major a student should pursue in conjunction with his/her pre-medical studies. Chemistry and biology majors are commonly chosen but other science majors, psychobiology, psychology, business or the humanities are acceptable as long as the core science courses in chemistry, biology and physics are included.
Competition for positions in medical schools is intense and admission is never guaranteed. Admission to medical school is based on scholastic record, MCAT scores, personal recommendations, interview with members of the admissions committee, shadowing, and other extra-curricular activities.
The following requirements are based on the admission requirements of the College of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Students wanting to apply to other medical schools should check with those specific schools for additional requirements. Students should be aware of prerequisites on all courses and plan their coursework accordingly.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Take a minimum of one of the following courses: | 4 | |
| General Biology | ||
| Biology I | ||
| Human Microbiology | ||
| Restriction | ||
Select no more than 1 of the following options: | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
or | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology and Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Take all of the following: | ||
| BIOL 106 | Biology II | 4 |
| BIOL 360 | Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM 160 & 160L | General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 161 & 161L | General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 351 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 360 & 360L | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 361 & 361L | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| ENG 101 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Special Topics in Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| PHYS 205 & 205L | General Physics I and Physics I Laboratory | 5 |
| PHYS 206 & 206L | General Physics II and Physics Laboratory II | 5 |
| Select 1 of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Calculus I with Analytic Geometry | ||
| Applied Calculus I | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Electives | ||
| Humanities and Social Sciences 1 | 12-16 | |
| Recommended electives to assist in preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT): | ||
| Cellular & Molecular Biology | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) | ||
| The MCAT is required for admission and should be taken once all required courses have been completed. See advisor for more information. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 65-71 | |
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Other courses in English literature, foreign language, psychology, philosophy, political science, economics, sociology, fine arts courses, and upper division biology and chemistry are recommended. See advisor for suggestions.