Pre-Medicine
Pre-medicine students may choose any major, but should work with a pre-health advisor to plan a course of study that fulfills prerequisite requirements as well as the requirements for the major and college. Students who want to apply for admission to the University of Illinois College of Medicine must complete a bachelor’s degree by the time of matriculation.
Required Coursework
The table below lists the minimum coursework required to apply for admission to the University of Illinois College of Medicine :
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses a | ||
| BIOS 110 | Biology of Cells and Organisms b | 4 |
| BIOS 120 | Biology of Populations and Communities b | 4 |
| Select one of the following general chemistry sequences: | 10 | |
| Matter and Energy c | ||
| Foundations of Chemical Inquiry I b,c | ||
| Chemical Dynamics c | ||
| Foundations of Chemical Inquiry II b,c | ||
OR | ||
| Honors and Majors General and Analytical Chemistry I b | ||
| Honors and Majors General and Analytical Chemistry II b | ||
| CHEM 232 | Structure and Function d | 3 |
| CHEM 233 | Synthesis Techniques Laboratory | 2 |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3-4 | |
| Introductory Biochemistry d | ||
OR | ||
| Biochemistry I (prerequisite of CHEM 234 - Organic Chemistry II) d | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
| Introductory Physics for Life Sciences I b | ||
| Introductory Physics for Life Sciences II b | ||
OR | ||
| General Physics I (Mechanics) b | ||
| General Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism) b | ||
| Select three Behavioral/Social Science courses in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, gender studies, psychology, or sociology. PSCH 100 and SOC 100 or SOC 105 are recommended. e | 9-10 | |
| Select at least one additional 200-, 300-, or 400-level biology course. Recommended topics include: cell biology, comparative vertebrate anatomy, genetics, or physiology courses. | 3-5 | |
| Recommended Courses f | ||
| College Algebra | ||
or MATH 121 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
or STAT 130 | Introduction to Statistics for the Life Sciences | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
or SOC 105 | Social Problems | |
| Total Pre-Medicine Required Hours | 46-50 | |
| Approximate Total Recommended Hours | 57-68 | |
- a
Students completing a bachelor’s degree at UIC must fulfill all the requirements of an undergraduate degree program, including General Education requirements. Students should consult their college and department sections of the catalog for information on completing their degree programs, including General Education requirements.
- b
These courses are approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
- c
Each of the following pairs of courses will be considered one course in meeting the LAS General Education requirements: CHEM 122/CHEM 123; CHEM 124/CHEM 125.
- d
One course of introductory biochemistry may substitute for the second semester of organic chemistry. However, this substitution may not be accepted by all medical schools. It is recommended that students consider completing Organic Chemistry II as part of their medical school preparation.
- e
Students completing a bachelor’s degree at UIC should consult the General Education section of the catalog and their academic advisor to select courses in anthropology, economics, gender studies, psychology, and/or sociology that are approved for General Education.
- f
These courses reflect subject areas covered in depth on the MCAT exam. Though not required, it is recommended that students complete these courses prior to taking the MCAT exam.
In addition to the course work listed above, applicants to the College of Medicine must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply using the centralized application services (AMCAS or AACOMAS) sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. The MCAT should be taken after completion of the minimum pre-medical course requirements. Students are encouraged to prepare thoroughly before taking the exam, as scores from all MCAT exams taken will be released to medical schools upon application. It may be helpful to complete courses outside of the prerequisites in order to expand knowledge, gain experience, and to establish and strengthen critical-thinking and reasoning skills. Students may obtain a list of UIC courses that have an emphasis on health care to help them apply various health related topics across disciplines. Courses in integrated health studies, economics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, English, and philosophy may be of benefit to students as well. Students taking the MCAT exam are strongly encouraged to take courses in biochemistry, statistics, psychology, and sociology.
Students may obtain information regarding the MCAT and application information for AMCAS and/or AACOMAS by attending workshops and/or webinars sponsored by LAS Pre-Health Advising. Individual appointments with a pre-health advisor are available to students who have reached sophomore standing or higher. Until that point, students are encouraged to watch one of many webinars available on demand by LAS Pre-Health Advising or meet with an LAS academic advisor. First-year students are required to meet with an LAS academic advisor prior to registering for fall and spring semesters during their first year. Students are advised to declare a pre-health educational goal upon entering UIC, which will alert them to specific workshops and opportunities as well as add them to the UIC Pre-Health Advising Blackboard page with other pertinent information.
The list of courses above includes the minimum coursework required for application to the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Specific admission requirements of other medical schools are listed in the Medical School Admission Requirements, which is published by the Association of American Medical Colleges and can be ordered through their website.