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 Education 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.

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 106Biology II4
BIOL 360Genetics4
CHEM 160
160L
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
CHEM 161
161L
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
CHEM 351Biochemistry I4
CHEM 360
360L
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
CHEM 361
361L
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
ENG 101Introduction to Academic Writing3
ENG 102Special Topics in Academic Writing and Research3
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 112-16
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 Hours65-71
1

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.