Pre-Medical Track at Hope College

** Information for Hope students graduating in 2013 -2015 **

What classes do I need to take? Courses Required or Recommended

Allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools decide what pre-requisite courese are required for their schools, but genearlly there are 5, two-semester courses that are required at almost all medical schools. Since a medical school can add additional courses to its requirements, it is essential that a student investigates the specific requirements at the medical schools early in their college careers.

Courses Required at Most Medical Schools:

• General biology with lab (Bio 240 & 260 & 280 all with labs)
• General chemistry with lab (Chem 125/127 & 126/128 or CHEM 131/132)
• Organic chemistry with lab (Chem 221/255 & 231/256)
• Physics with lab (Phys 121/141 & 122/142 or Phys 105/141 & 106/142)
• English (Eng 113 and either 231 or 232)

The above named coures are the topics tested on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) through January 2015. Students take the MCAT once these courses are complete and they feel confident about their ability to apply their knowledge in these areas.

Courses Required &/or Highly Recommended at Some Medical Schools:

• Biochemistry  (Chem 311 & 314)
• Psychology (Psy 100 & 230)
• Mathematics (Statistics &/or Calculus)
• Genetics (Bio 356)
• An additional upper-level course in biology or biomedical science

Please note, to take 300 level biology course or higher, you must have taken Bio 240, 260, 280.

What do I need to major in? Choice of Major

Medical schools seek students with diverse and broad academic backgrounds. Medical schools are most concerned with the overall quality and scope of undergraduate work and not with the specific academic major. A student should select a major area of study that is of interest and that will provide a foundation of knowledge necessary for the pursuit of several career alternatives. Many Hope students are interested in the sciences and will major in one of the sciences. However, Hope students with interests in the social sciences, humanities, or the arts, may major in one of those areas.

More Important Info for Pre-Medical Track

For current Hope College stuents, advising or questions related to the pre-Medical track, please contact HPA Professor T. Prokopow.