Pre-Medical Studies
Medical schools usually seek students with broad backgrounds in the liberal arts, excellent work in a core of science courses, and a strong concentration in one academic area. The major field need not be in the sciences, although it frequently is. Indeed, statistics supplied by the Association of American Medical Colleges indicate that a student majoring in the humanities has as good a chance of being accepted by a medical school as a student majoring in the sciences. However, both must take a specified minimum number of courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.
Students considering a career in medicine will usually take the MCAT exam in the spring of their junior year. Before this time, students will need to complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 15100 | INTRO BIOL I W/LAB: SM | 4 |
| BIOL 15200 | INTRO BIO II W/LAB:SM | 4 |
| CHEM 12000 | GEN I:STRUCTURE/BOND-W/LAB:SM | 4 |
| CHEM 12100 | GEN II:INTR CHEM ANLS-W/LAB:SM | 4 |
| CHEM 22000 | INTRO TO ORGANIC CHEM-W/LAB | 4 |
| CHEM 32000 | INTERMED ORGANIC CHEM-W/LAB | 4 |
| PHYS 21300 | FUNMNTLS OF PHYSICS-W/LAB I:SM | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| FUNMNTL OF PHYSICS-W/LAB II:SM | ||
| PRINCIPLES PHYSICS I-W/LAB:SM | ||
| PRINCIPLES PHYSICS II-W/LAB:SM | ||
MATH 19800 CALCULUS I:MM and MATH 19900 CALCULUS II:MM are prerequisites for the calculus-based physics courses.
The Board urges that all serious candidates for medical school complete at least one of the following course sequences during their first year at Hiram:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 15100 | INTRO BIOL I W/LAB: SM | 4 |
| BIOL 15200 | INTRO BIO II W/LAB:SM | 4 |
| CHEM 12000 | GEN I:STRUCTURE/BOND-W/LAB:SM | 4 |
| CHEM 12100 | GEN II:INTR CHEM ANLS-W/LAB:SM | 4 |
Before the end of the first year, the student is advised to meet with a member of the Health Science Board to discuss and plan coursework for subsequent years. Along with the courses listed above, some medical schools require additional courses in chemistry and biology. Hiram graduation requirements in composition and literature meet the English requirements of most medical schools. Some admissions committees may require courses in the humanities. Students should consult the catalogs of specific medical schools to determine which additional science and non-science courses are required for admission.
Students interested in preparing for medical and other health related professional programs may consider a major or minor in biomedical humanities. However, medical schools will accept students from any major, so students are encouraged to pursue majors aligned with their academic interests. We have had successful entrants to medical school from majors such as music and Spanish, in addition to the sciences. Our biomedical humanities program includes the basic science core required for most programs, as well as a strong liberal arts foundation stressing communication skills, diversity sensitivity, ethical development, and service learning. Students should consult the catalog description of the major or members of the Health Science Board for further information.