Medical School Requirements is a very broad term and cannot be used as a generic interpretation, i.e. medical schools and their respective programs and disciplines are not one homogeneous entity. Therefore, do not expect specific answers unless you visit your school of choice directly. That said, it is safe to say that there are a cluster of core courses that one should take in order to be eligible for medical school, either at the high school or undergraduate level. Without saying, an undergraduate degree is required for all medical school applicants. As a generic measurement, here is the basic, minimum core coursework that must be completed prior to admissions to medical school according to UC Berkeley:
- Two years of chemistry (general and organic) with lab
- One year of physics with lab
- One year of general biology with lab
- Some medical and other health professional schools also require some or all of the following courses:
- calculus or other college-level mathematics
- English
- advanced biological science and/or biochemistry
If you are considering Harvard Medical School, these are the basic requirements for students beginning in years 2011-2115. For students entering in 2016, there are a new set of core course requirements.
Harvard Medical School Requirements 2011-1015:
Biology
One year with laboratory experience is the minimum requirement. Courses taken should deal with the cellular and molecular aspects as well as the structure and function of living organisms. Please note: Advanced placement credits cannot be used to satisfy this requirement; upper level courses should be taken if students have been granted advanced placement credits.
Chemistry
Two years with laboratory experience is the minimum requirement. Full-year courses in general (or inorganic) and organic chemistry generally meet this requirement. A one-semester course in organic chemistry that covers the relevant material supplemented by a semester course in biochemistry may substitute for the traditional year of organic chemistry. We will consider other options that adequately prepare students for the study of biochemistry and molecular biology in medical school.
Please note: Advanced placement credits which enable a student to take an upper level course may be used to meet one semester of this requirement.
Physics
One year is the minimum requirement. Advanced placement credits that enable a student to take an upper-level course may be used to meet one semester of this requirement.
Mathematics
One year of calculus is the minimum requirement. Advanced placement credits may satisfy this requirement (Calculus AB = 1 semester, Calculus BC = 2 semesters).
Expository Writing
Writing skills are important for the study and practice of medicine. This requirement may be met with any nonscience courses that involve substantial experience in expository writing. Advanced placement credits cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
Additional requirements for the HST Program
If you are considering the HST Program (Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology), you must satisfy the above requirements plus the following:
HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry, and molecular biology. This is usually demonstrated through upper level course work, but other approaches may satisfy these requirements. In addition, one year of calculus-based physics in college is required.
Harvard Medical School will consider other course formats or combinations that are sponsored by the undergraduate institution attended and provide equivalent preparation. When advanced placement credits used to satisfy portions of the chemistry, physics, or mathematics requirements noted above, scores from the AP examination must be submitted prior to matriculation. If these scores are not shown on the college transcript, an AP score report will be required before matriculation.
Recommended Courses:
Harvard Medical School encourage candidates to complete at least 16 hours in literature, languages, the arts, humanities, and the social sciences and become familiar with computers. HMS also recommends taking honors courses and independent study or research, as they offer in-depth exploration of an area of knowledge.
As you can see, Harvard Medical School requirements are similar to the generic, Berkeley example, which said that calculus or other college-level mathematics, English, and advanced biological science and/or biochemistry were required by some, but not all medical schools. Once again, please check with the schools to which you plan on applying. It is always recommended that you also speak with a representative from the school to clarify any questions you may have.
Medical School Requirements is a very broad term and cannot be used as a generic interpretation, i.e. medical schools and their respective programs and disciplines are not one homogonous entity. Therefore, do not expect specific answers unless you visit your school of choice directly. That said, it is safe to say that there are a cluster of core courses that one should take in order to be eligible for medical school, either at the high school or undergraduate level. Without saying, an undergraduate degree is required for all medical school applicants. As a generic measurement, here is the basic, minimum core coursework that must be completed prior to admissions to medical school according to UC Berkeley:
• Two years of chemistry (general and organic) with lab
• One year of physics with lab
• One year of general biology with lab
• Some medical and other health professional schools also require some or all of the following courses:
• calculus or other college-level mathematics
• English
• advanced biological science and/or biochemistry
If you are considering Harvard Medical School, these are the basic requirements for students beginning in years 2011-2115. For students entering in 2016, there are a new set of core course requirements.
Harvard Medical School Requirements 2011-1015:
Biology
One year with laboratory experience is the minimum requirement. Courses taken should deal with the cellular and molecular aspects as well as the structure and function of living organisms. Please note: Advanced placement credits cannot be used to satisfy this requirement; upper level courses should be taken if students have been granted advanced placement credits.
Chemistry
Two years with laboratory experience is the minimum requirement. Full-year courses in general (or inorganic) and organic chemistry generally meet this requirement. A one-semester course in organic chemistry that covers the relevant material supplemented by a semester course in biochemistry may substitute for the traditional year of organic chemistry. We will consider other options that adequately prepare students for the study of biochemistry and molecular biology in medical school.
Please note: Advanced placement credits which enable a student to take an upper level course may be used to meet one semester of this requirement.
Physics
One year is the minimum requirement. Advanced placement credits that enable a student to take an upper-level course may be used to meet one semester of this requirement.
Mathematics
One year of calculus is the minimum requirement. Advanced placement credits may satisfy this requirement (Calculus AB = 1 semester, Calculus BC = 2 semesters).
Expository Writing
Writing skills are important for the study and practice of medicine. This requirement may be met with any nonscience courses that involve substantial experience in expository writing. Advanced placement credits cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
Additional requirements for the HST Program
If you are considering the HST Program (Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology), you must satisfy the above requirements plus the following:
HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry, and molecular biology. This is usually demonstrated through upper level course work, but other approaches may satisfy these requirements. In addition, one year of calculus-based physics in college is required.
Harvard Medical School will consider other course formats or combinations that are sponsored by the undergraduate institution attended and provide equivalent preparation. When advanced placement credits used to satisfy portions of the chemistry, physics, or mathematics requirements noted above, scores from the AP examination must be submitted prior to matriculation. If these scores are not shown on the college transcript, an AP score report will be required before matriculation.
Recommended Courses:
Harvard Medical School encourage candidates to complete at least 16 hours in literature, languages, the arts, humanities, and the social sciences and become familiar with computers. HMS also recommends taking honors courses and independent study or research, as they offer in-depth exploration of an area of knowledge.
As you can see, Harvard Medical School requirements are similar to the generic, Berkeley example, which said that calculus or other college-level mathematics, English, and advanced biological science and/or biochemistry were required by some, but not all medical schools. Once again, please check with the schools to which you plan on applying. It is always recommended that you also speak with a representative from the school to clarify any questions you may have.
Written by Brenne Meirowitz, BA, MA, MS
© 2011 Brenne Meirowitz & Best Medical Schools & Requirements . All Rights Reserved.
