Requirements
Required Courses
MD, DO, Dental, Vet, Podiatry, Optometry, Pharmacy
As designated by the associations: AAMC, AACOM, ADEA, AAVMC, AACPM, ASCO, AACP
*NOTE: Course requirements vary for each program and profession. Please check the course listing on the school's website.
Biology - 2 intro course requirement - translates to 3 courses at Colorado College:
- Biology - 1 course - BE 105; or BE106; or BE107 - pick one course
- Biology - 2 courses - MB131 and MB201 - need both courses
Chemistry - 5-course requirement
- General Chemistry - 2 courses - CH107 and CH 108
- Organic Chemistry - 2 courses - CH250 and CH251
- Biochemistry - 1 course - CH382
Physics: 2-course requirement
- Physics - 2 courses - PC 141 and PC 142 or PC 241 and PC 242 (calculus-based)
Math: 2-course requirement
- Math - 2 courses - MA117; MA 125; MA 126; MA129 (any 2 courses)
English: 2-course requirement
- English - 2 courses - 1 writing-intensive; 1 literature-based
Courses Highly Recommended by Med, Dental, Vet, etc. Schools
- Psychology - 1 course - PY100 or PY105 *Recommended for MCAT Preparation*
- Genetics - 1 course - MB231
- Anatomy - 1 course - HK204
- Human Physiology - 1 course - HK321
- Microbiology - 1 course - MB320
PA, PT, Nursing
As designated by the associations: PAEA, APTA, AACN
Biology: 2 intro course requirement - translates to 3 courses at Colorado College:
- Microbiology - 1 course - BE107 or MB320
- Biology - Cell Biology - 2 courses - MB131 and MB201
Chemistry: 2-4 course requirement (depending on program)
- General Chemistry - 2 courses - CH107 and CH108
- Organic Chemistry - 2 courses - CH250 and CH251 (not required for PT schools)
Physics: 2-course requirement (PT schools only)
- Physics - 2 courses - PC141 and PC142 (PT schools only)
Math: 2-course requirement
- Statistics - 1 course - MA117
- Calculus - 1 course - MA126 or MA129
Psychology: 1-2 course requirement (depending on program)
- Psychology - 1-2 courses - PY100 or PY 105 (some schools require 2 courses for PT & Nursing)
Anatomy and Physiology: 2-course requirement
- Basic Anatomy - 1 course - HK204
- Human Physiology - 1 course - HK321
Courses Highly Recommended by PA, PT, and Nursing Schools
NOTE: Course Requirements vary for each program and profession. Please check the course listing on the school's website.
- Biochemistry: 1 course: CH382 (**Nursing & PA)
- Genetics: 1 course: MB231 (*Varies by school)
Exams
To determine the specific course requirements for a particular medical school or dental school, reference books are available in the Health Professions Advising Office. The MCAT, DAT, and GRE tests cover basic science, so the above courses should be completed before taking any exams.
The Career Center offers Princeton Review MCAT and GRE Test Prep each year during Dynamic Half Block.
Advising Contact
Jane Byrnes, MSA, Pre-Health Advisor; jane.byrnes@coloradocollege.edu
Veterinary schools may emphasize a science major requirement or favor graduates with a science degree. It is worth examining the admissions policy of any veterinary school of interest.
Other health professions schools, including veterinary medicine, nursing, podiatry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy, and physician assistant programs, are likely to have other specific course requirements and are not as standardized as medical and dental school requirements.
Students today are often waiting for a year or more after graduation before applying to a health professions school. This does not put the applicant at a disadvantage; many medical schools look favorably upon applicants who have taken an extra year or two to mature and gain work experience, and who can thus make a better decision regarding a career in health professions.