Pre-Med: Program Requirements & Courses
Pre-Professional Requirements
Pre-professional programs (such as pre-medical, pre-veterinary, pre-dental, pre-law, etc.) in and of themselves are not college majors, but rather pathways or tracks that prepare undergraduate students for application to the respective professional school programs.
Since pre-med is not a college major, students interested in applying to medical school should choose a major that both interests them and prepares them for a career in medicine. Many students choose to major in the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, but they can choose any major as long as they take the required courses for application to medical school.
Pre-Med Courses
The courses required for application to medical school vary depending on the institution, so it’s important to research and plan the specific courses you need in order to apply and matriculate at your prospective medical schools. However, all medical schools require that students take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math.
While science courses are the foundation the medical professions, medical schools want well-rounded candidates. All schools will require courses in English, the humanities, and the social sciences.
Pre-Med at GMercyU
Most GMercyU students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine major in biology; however, it is possible to major in another area as long as the following courses are completed. These courses are part of the requirements of the biology major:
● BIO 203 and 204 (General Biology)
● CHM 151 and 152 (Principles of Chemistry)
● CHM 203 and 204 (Organic Chemistry)
● CHM 301 and 302 (Biochemistry)
● PHY 241 and 242 (General Physics)
● MTH 245 (Calculus)
● MTH 234 (Probability and Statistics)
In addition to completing the necessary courses for medical school application requirements, you will gain a strong foundation of knowledge in the liberal arts, which will give you the well-rounded skill set desired by medical schools. You can participate in the Honors Program, with its small seminar classes that emphasize interactive learning and critical thinking in a classical liberal arts education. You can also take advantage of opportunities to participate in internships that give you practical, hands-on experience in biology, conduct your own research project mentored by our distinguished faculty, and present your research at professional conferences.
Students interested in a career as a physician, veterinarian, dentist, or other doctoral health professionals can utilize the services of the Pre-Professional Advising Office. Together with your academic advisor, you can plan your curriculum and prepare your applications to help you achieve your professional goals.
Griffin Success
Get inspired by these Biology graduates who are in med school or working in the field of medicine!
Jennifer Lorine '06, DO
Proprietor & Physician at Jennifer Lorine, DO
Named one of "Pennsylvania's Top Physicians Under 40" by the Pennsylvania Medical Society in 2017
Mark Pappadakis '08, DO
Attending Physician in the Emergency Department at Capital Health in New Jersey
Dhaval Patel '18, MPH
Medical Student at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Has already earned his Master of Public Health
Joseph Pandolfi '19
Medical Student in the Physician Assistant Program at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Worked in an urgent care facility throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic
Joseph Giordano' 20
Medical Student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Worked as a lab tech