Pre-Medicine

Pre-Medicine Roadmap

Start your journey to becoming a medical professional.

The medical profession offers a wide variety of exciting, challenging, and rewarding career options. Although the environment in which medical services are provided has been changing rapidly and will continue to evolve, the physician's role as diagnostician, healer, and patient advocate remains central to the provision of health care in our country. Although most physicians provide direct patient care, some M.D./D.O. degree recipients concentrate on basic applied research, medical education or administration, or some combination of these areas.

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Your Pre-Medicine Roadmap at UNL

Medical Prerequisite Classes

Whether you want to become a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (OD), your courses are typically identical. Depending on the school you plan to attend, you may need additional prerequisite courses. Meet with an advisor for more information.

 

Typical Medical School Requirements

General Chemistry - 2 semesters

Organic Chemistry - 2 semesters

Biochemistry - 1 semester

Biology - 2 semesters

Genetics - 1 semester 

Physics - 2 semesters

Math or Statistics – 1 semesters

English – 1-2 courses

Social and Behavioral Sciences – 4-5 courses

What to Take at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Some classes require prerequisites. Meet with an advisor for help planning your courses.

 

General Chemistry – CHEM 109A/L & 110A/L or CHEM 113A/L, 114, & 221L

Organic Chemistry – CHEM 251/253 & 252/254 or CHEM 261/263 & 262/264

Biochemistry – BIOC 431 & 432 

Biology – LIFE 120/120L & LIFE 121/121L

Genetics - BIOS 206 or PLAS 215

Physics – PHYS 141 and 142 or 211/221 and 212/222

Math – MATH 104, 106, STAT 218, STAT 380, EDPS 459, PSYC 350, or ECON 215

English – ENGL 150, 151, 254, or 354

Social and Behavioral Sciences – SOCI 101, PSYC 181, & additional humanities/social sciences to total 12-16 hours

Suggested Science Sequencing

Semester 1
General Chemistry I with lab*
Math per MPE (if needed)
*May take LIFE 120/120L
instead of Chemistry (see advisor)

Semester 2
General Chemistry II with lab
LIFE 120/120L

 

Semester 3
Organic Chemistry I with lab
LIFE 121/121L

 

Semester 4
Organic Chemistry II with lab
Physics I with lab
BIOS 206 or PLAS 215 (or
semester 5)

Semester 5
BIOC 431
Physics II with lab

Semester 6
BIOC 432 (MCAT content)
BIOS 213/213L (MCAT content)

**Take the MCAT during Semester 6 or before Semester 7
(or 12-16 months before you intend to start medical school.)

Semester 7
 

Semester 8
BIOS 214 (suggested elective)

The above course recommendations fulfill the requirements for UNMC’s MD program. The above courses are also highly recommended for students interested in Creighton’s program. Students who are considering medical schools outside of Nebraska are encouraged to contact those schools for a list of entrance requirements. For a detailed 4-year plan outlining your UNL courses, please meet with an Explore Center Advisor.

Other Notes: 

  • AP/IB Credit: AP/IB credit not accepted for prerequisites at UNMC, however, a higher-level course with lab in the same discipline can count instead (see advisor).
  • Math Requirement: Some required science courses, like chemistry, require math as a prerequisite. See your pre-health advisor for math placement information. A calculus or statistics course may also be required by the medical school.

 

MCAT Exam Content Courses

In addition to the prerequisite courses listed above, additional coursework is strongly recommended to prepare students for the MCAT exam.  Below is a list of the UNL coursework that covers MCAT content.  Some courses overlap with the prerequisites listed above.  Meet with an Explore Center Advisor to discuss fitting the additional courses listed below into your 4-year plan at UNL.

LIFE 120/120L

LIFE 121/121L

BIOS 213/213L

BIOS 206 or PLAS 215 (prerequisite for BIOC 432)

CHEM 109A/109L & 110A/110L or 113A/113L & 114

CHEM 251 & 252 or 261 & 262

PHYS 141 & 142 or 211 & 212

BIOC 431

BIOC 432

PSYC 181

SOCI 101

Statistical reasoning skills tested on the MCAT may be obtained through science courses or through taking a statistical methods course..

Meet with your Explore Center advisor to develop your MCAT preparation plan.

 

Extracurricular Involvement and Activities:

Pursuing medical school requires more than just coursework. Your extracurricular activities, employment, and healthcare experiences like shadowing and volunteering will contribute greatly to your success in this field. See your pre-health advisor in the Explore Center to plan extracurricular activities that will prepare you for this program.

Application and Admission

Applications: There are three centralized application services, the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS), and the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS). Application for admission to UNMC, Creighton, and most other medical schools is made through AMCAS. Applications to MD and DO programs through application services are available at apps.aamc.org/account (allopathic) or https://aacomas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login (osteopathic). The schools will then contact you to verify your receipt of your application and inform you of any additional materials they require to complete your application, such as secondary applications and letters of recommendation/evaluation.

 

Entrance exam: The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required. The MCAT is a computer-based exam that is offered on set dates throughout the year. Information about registering for and taking the MCAT can be found online at https://students-residents.aamc.org/takingmcat-exam/taking-mcat-exam

 

Additional admission requirements: Applications to medical school require a personal statement and letters of recommendation/evaluation. The number of required letters varies by school. UNMC requires recommendations from two instructors with at least one from a science faculty. Creighton University recommends three letters, consisting of two science faculty and one non-science faculty. You should get to know your professors so that they know you well enough to write a thorough letter about your potential to be a successful medical student.

 

AP/IB Credit: AP/IB credit is not accepted for prerequisites at UNMC, however, a higher level course with lab in the same discipline can count instead. Additionally most medical schools will not accept AP credit for science classes. See advisor for more information.

Plan Your Path to Medical School

View Health School Application Timeline

  1. Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to create a comprehensive academic and co-curricular plan
  2. Research application requirements
    • See specific school websites for any specific application requirements which may vary by program.
    • Meet with a representative of the program for specific questions and guidance
  3. Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
  4. Apply to medical schools
    • For MD programs, schools use the American College Application Service (AMCAS)
    • Schools in Texas require application through the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS)
    • For DO programs, schools use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service
  5. Complete Bachelor's Degree and prerequisite courses
  6. Attend Medical School (7-12 years, including residency)

M.D. versus D.O. programs

  • An M.D. is awarded to students who graduate from an allopathic medical school while a D.O. is awarded to students who graduate from an osteopathic medical school
  • Osteopathic medical education includes training in hands-on manipulative therapy
  • Both can work in one or more specialties (family and general medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, etc.)
  • Both can work in various medical environments ((clinics, hospitals, healthcare organizations, etc.)
  • Both diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and perform surgery
  • Both consist of 4 years of academic coursework and clinical experiences followed by a residency

Suggested Academic Preparation

  • Bachelor’s degree –any UNL major is a great option
  • Completion of pre-requisite courses
  • Competitive academic record
    • GPA in both science and non-science courses
    • Heavy course loads of 17-18 credit hours by junior year

Current Students

Current students: Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to talk more about your Pre-Health goals.

Schedule a Meeting

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