Pre-Requisite Courses
Schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine have similar foundational prerequisites for admission. Because individual programs may vary, however, students should investigate the requirements of their programs or schools of interest and speak with a health professions adviser.
Consider the options in the table below to fulfill pre-requisite coursework for most medical, dental, and veterinary programs. Guidance on AP courses and pre-requisites can be found at the bottom of the page or download a printable PDF with all of this information.
| Subject Area | Course Requirements | UR Courses that Fulfill Pre-Reqs |
|---|---|---|
| BIOLOGY | Two semesters of biology coursework with labs. One semester of genetics is highly recommended. | BIOL 110L • BIOL 111L • BIOL 198L BIOL 112L • BIOL 113L • BME 258 BIOL 190L • BIOL 198L |
| BIOCHEMISTRY | One semester of biochemistry | BIOL 250 with optional lab • CHEM 262 |
| CHEMISTRY | Two semesters of intro chemistry with labs Two semester of organic chemistry with labs | CHEM 131 • CHEM 132 • CHEM 137 • CHEM 211 CHEM 171 • CHEM 172 • CHEM 203 • CHEM 204 |
| MATH/STATISTICS | One semester of statistics Meet the calculus requirement for UR physics | STAT 180 • STAT 190 • BME 221 MATH 141 • MATH 142 • MATH 143 • MATH 161 • MATH 162 • MATH 171 |
| PHYSICS | Two semesters physics with labs | PHYS 113 • PHYS 114 • PHYS 121 • PHYS 122 • PHYS 123 • PHYS 141 • PHYS 142 |
| ENGLISH/WRITING | Six Credit Hours | WRTG 105 • WRTG 105A • WRTG 105B • WRTG 105E and Upper-level writing requirement(s) within major |
To better prepare for interview questions and standardized tests like the MCAT or DAT that address psychosocial contexts of health, students are strongly encouraged to consider coursework in the humanities and social sciences. Students should meet with a Career Advisor in the Greene Center to discuss their options.
Examples of courses to consider:
- MHB 210
- PHLT 101
- PHLT 102
- PHIL 225
- PHIL 311
- PSYC 101
- PSYC 171
AP Courses and Pre-requisites
Note that though AP courses may be accepted for University of Rochester course credit, generally they do not meet the pre-requisites for most medical and health profession schools or the requirements of all University of Rochester majors. Students should consider the requirements for their major in their planning.
In general, if students receive AP credit for AP biology or physics, they should plan to take two college level, lab-based courses in these areas to fulfill their pre-requisites. In general, for biology, this can be satisfied by BIOL 112 and 113. (Some students choose to simply take BIOL 110 and 111 and forego AP biology credits to fulfill their pre-requisite courses).
If students receive AP credit for CHEM 131, they can take CHEM 171/172 (First-year organic chemistry). Students will then also need to take CHEM 132 and either BIOL 250 (Biochemistry) with the one credit optional lab or CHEM 211, (or all three) to meet the pre-health pre-requisites. (Some students choose to simply take CHEM 131 and CHEM 132 and forego AP chemistry credits to fulfill their prerequisites).
Students can discuss their own individual situation with the Healthcare Community Advisors in the GreeneCenter and/or can check the requirements of graduate programs they are interested in to find requirements for those schools.
Course titles:
- BIOL 110L: PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 1 WITH LAB
- BIOL 111L: PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 2 WITH LAB
- BIOL 112L: PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY 1 WITH LAB
- BIOL 113L: PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY 2 WITH LAB
- BIOL 190: GENETICS and THE HUMAN GENOME
- BIOL 198L: PRINCIPLES OF GENETICS WITH LAB
- BIOL 250: INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY WITH LAB
- BME 221: BIOMEDICAL COMPUTATION AND STATISTICS
- BME 258: BIOMEDICAL ULTRASOUND
- CHEM 131: CHM CONCEPTS, SYST, PRACT I
- CHEM 132: CHM CONCEPTS, SYST, PRACT II
- CHEM 137: CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES FOR ENGINEERS
- CHEM 171: FIRST-YEAR ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- CHEM 172: FIRST-YEAR ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
- CHEM 203: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- CHEM 204: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
- CHEM 211: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
- CHEM 262: BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
- MHB 210: BIOETHICS AT THE BEDSIDE: HOW CLINICIANS THINK ETHICALLY
- MATH 141: CALCULUS I
- MATH 142: CALCULUS II
- MATH 143: CALCULUS III
- MATH 161: CALCULUS IA
- MATH 162: CALCULUS IIA
- MATH 171: HONORS CALCULUS I
- PHLT 101: INTRO TO PUBLIC HEALTH
- PHLT 116: INTRO TO THE US HEALTH SYSTEM
- PHIL 102: ETHICS
- PHIL 225: ETHICAL DECISIONS IN MEDICINE
- PHIL 311: SEMINAR IN BIOETHICS