The pre-health curriculum is not a “one size fits all,” but rather, may be customized, depending upon one’s academic background and goals. While most health profession schools have a specific list of prerequisite courses that are required for admission, there can be great variability in how you complete them in a four-year curriculum.
Your choice of major as well as the breadth and level of the courses you select should reflect your academic interests and degree of prior preparation. Although you should not choose courses solely with a view toward making an impression on admission committees, you should be aware that these committees give serious consideration to the rigor and scope of your education.
In addition to meeting with your academic advisor and a pre-health advisor when choosing the most appropriate pre-requisite courses for your major(s)/minor(s) and pre-health pathway, it is strongly recommended that you check with the individual schools to which you plan to apply to confirm that you are taking the appropriate prerequisite courses required for admission.
The core pre-health science courses include:
Introductory Biology with Laboratory:
AND
- BI 108 Biology II (or BI116 Biology 2 with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab)
A minimum of one year of biology with laboratory (8 credits) is usually required, though this may vary, depending upon your major. An additional year of biology beyond the introductory courses will better prepare students for health profession school and the various admissions entrance exams (MCAT, DAT, OAT, PA-CAT). Students who do not major in a biological science are encouraged to enroll in additional upper-level biology courses, such as Cell Biology (BI 203/BI 213/BI218), Genetics (BI 206/BI 216), and/or Systems Physiology (BI 315) to demonstrate strong foundational knowledge in the biological sciences and their ability to handle rigorous upper-level biology coursework.
*Notes:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Majors:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) majors are not required to take BI 107. We recommend that BMB majors take BI 108 (Biology II), BI 203 or BI 213 (Cell Biology), and BI 315 (Systems Physiology) to complete health profession schools’ biology requirements.
Biomedical Engineering Majors:
Biomedical Engineering majors usually complete health profession schools’ biology requirements by following the major’s standard curriculum and taking Organic Chemistry during the sophomore year.
College of General Studies:
Students enrolled in the College of General Studies should be aware that the electives selected for their first year may impact the pace at which they complete prerequisite requirements and the timing of their application to health profession school. We recommend reviewing the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Pathway for additional important information to consider in completing the pre-health curriculum.
Neuroscience Majors:
Neuroscience majors are not required to take BI 107. We recommend that Neuroscience majors take NE 102 (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology) or NE116 (Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab), BI 203 or BI 213 or NE218 (Cell Biology), and BI 315 (Systems Physiology) to complete health profession schools’ biology requirements.
Sargent College:
We recommend that Sargent College students whose majors (such as Health Science) include BI 105 discuss their course selections with an advisor at Sargent College and enroll in the BI 107/108 sequence instead of BI 105 to fulfill their pre-medical biology requirements. We also recommend students take at least one of the following courses: BI 203 or BI 213 (Cell Biology), BI 206 or BI 216 (Genetics), and BI 315 (Systems Physiology).
General Chemistry with Laboratory (one of the following sequences):
- CH 101/102 General Chemistry
OR
- CH 101 General Chemistry 1/CH 116 General Chemistry 2 with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab
OR
- CH 109/110 General and Quantitative Analytical Chemistry
OR
- CH 109/112 General and Intensive General Chemistry with Quantitative Analysis Lab 2
A minimum of one year of chemistry with a laboratory (8 credits) is recommended. Those with a strong background in chemistry may wish to substitute CH 109/110, CH 109/112, or CH 101/116 for the CH 101/102 sequence but should first consult with a pre-health advisor and an advisor in the Department of Chemistry. All three of the sequence options are introductory chemistry classes, yet it is important to choose the best fit, depending upon the strength of your chemistry background and the requirements for your specific major. Unless your major includes a higher-level sequence, most pre-health students complete the CH 101/102 sequence. Should you choose a major that requires CH 109/110 or CH 109/112 but do not have the background necessary to be successful in said required sequence, you may instead, take the CH 101/102 sequence followed by CH 201, a 2 credit Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory.
*Notes:
Sargent College:
We recommend that students enrolled in Sargent College whose majors include the CH 171/174/373 sequence discuss their course selections with an advisor at Sargent College and enroll in the CH 101/102 (or equivalent) and CH 203/204 (or equivalent) sequences instead of CH 171 and CH 172 or CH 174 to fulfill health profession schools’ general chemistry requirements.
Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (one of the following sequences):
- CAS CH 203/204 Organic Chemistry
OR
- CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry 1/214 Organic Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis
OR
- CAS CH 218 Organic Chemistry 1 with Integrated Science Experience II Lab/204 Organic Chemistry 2
OR
- CAS CH 218 Organic Chemistry 1 with Integrated Science Experience II Lab/214 Organic Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis
OR
- CAS CH 211/212 Intensive Organic Chemistry
*Notes:
Sargent College:
We recommend that students enrolled in Sargent College whose majors include the CH 171/174/373 sequence discuss their course selections with an advisor at Sargent College and enroll in the CH 101/102 and CH 203/204 sequences instead of CH 171 and CH 172 or CH 174 to fulfill health profession schools’ general chemistry requirements.
Biochemistry (one of the following):
- CH 373 Principles of Biochemistry no Laboratory
OR
- BB 421 (previously BI/CH 421) Biochemistry I with Laboratory
OR
- BB 421/422 (previously BI/CH 421/422) Biochemistry I/II with Laboratory
While some health profession schools do not require biochemistry, it is strongly recommended that you take at least one semester. Depending upon your major, biochemistry with a laboratory may be required. It is important to check with your academic advisor as well as your major department to learn more about whether biochemistry is a required course. For example, Chemistry, Chemistry: Biochemistry, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology majors all require at least one biochemistry course with a laboratory. For pre-medical and pre-podiatry students, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) assesses foundational knowledge of biochemistry, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems. It is not recommended that one take the MCAT without first taking a biochemistry course. If biochemistry is not required for one’s college major, Principles of Biochemistry, CH 373, is a general biochemistry course that does not include a lab and is an excellent preparatory class for the MCAT and admission to health profession school. Some dental, physician assistant, and veterinary schools require a semester of biochemistry for which this course may also be a suitable option.
Physics (one of the following sequences):
- PY 105/106 Elementary Physics (algebra-based)
OR
- PY 211/212 General Physics (calculus-based)
OR
- PY 241/242 Principles of General Physics (calculus-based)
OR
- PY 251/252 Principles of Physics (calculus-based)
Most health profession schools require two semesters of physics, except for Physician Assistant (PA) and nursing schools, which typically do not have a physics prerequisite. Elementary physics, PY 105/106 is the most common sequence among pre-health students. Please note that students in the School of Engineering are required to take the PY 211/212 sequence. If you have a strong background in calculus (CAS MA 123/124 or equivalent) and in high school physics you may wish to consider CAS PY 211/212 or CAS PY 241/242. Physics 251/252 is primarily for majors in Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics.
Mathematics:
Calculus (at least one semester recommended):
- MA 121 and/or 122 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I & II
OR
- MA 123 and/or 124 Calculus I & II
OR
- MA 127 Enriched Calculus (covers material in MA 123 & 124)
OR
If you earned AP/IB credit for calculus, most health profession schools will accept that credit. While very few schools still require calculus, among those that do, almost all accept AP/IB credit. Depending upon your college major, you may be required to take one or more calculus/statistics courses. For example, Chemistry majors are required to take MA 123/124 (or MA 127 or MA 129). MA 123, MA 127, MA 129 or Advanced Placement in calculus is a co-requirement for CH 111. If you have a strong background in mathematics you may wish to substitute MA 123 (or 124) for MA 121 (or 122).
Statistics (at least one semester recommended):
- MA 113 Elementary Statistics
OR
- MA 115 and/or 116 Statistics I & II
OR
- MA 213 Basic Statistics & Probability
OR
- MA 213/214 Basic Statistics & Probability and Applied Statistics
There are several levels for statistics. It is recommended that pre-health students take at least one statistics course. Whether or not you are interested in becoming involved in research, a statistics course will help you to learn how to understand and interpret data as it pertains to your patients and your career in healthcare. In addition, a statistics course will prepare you for the MCAT, as it is a passage-based exam that involves understanding graphs, tables, and interpreting data. There are certain majors that require or recommend a department-based statistics course as part of their major, including Neuroscience (NE 212), Biomedical Engineering (EK 381), and Psychology (PS 211). Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors must take at least MA 115, as MA 113 will not count toward the major.
Psychology and Sociology
For individuals who are required to take the MCAT, knowledge of psychology and sociology will be assessed in one of the exam sections, Psychological, social and Biological Foundations of Behavior. Thus, you will be expected to have a background in introductory psychology and sociology.
Psychology
The Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences recommends that students take either PS 101, General Psychology, for students who have not yet taken a psychology course, or PS 261, Social Psychology, for those who have taken an introductory psychology course or have earned AP credit for psychology.
- PS 101 General Psychology
OR
Sociology
The Department of Sociology recommends that students take either SO 100, Principles in Sociology, which is more introductory in terms of the basic theories and concepts associated with the study of sociology, or SO 215, Sociology of Healthcare, which is relevant to becoming a healthcare professional.
- SO 100 Principles in Sociology
OR
- SO 215 Sociology of Healthcare
Certain health profession schools including some dental schools, and many nursing and physician associate/assistant schools require specific courses in psychology.
Humanities/Social Sciences:
Hub courses may satisfy medical and dental school requirements in these areas. Increasing emphasis is being placed on coursework in the humanities and social sciences by professional schools. Students who complete Hub requirements with AP credits may need to take additional college courses to fulfill professional school requirements.
One year of English:
Many health profession schools require one year of English at the college level – composition or literature or a combination of both. Courses in the CAS Writing Program (CAS WR 100 or WR 120, and CAS WR 150,151, 152, 153) will fulfill this requirement at most schools.
Other courses that may satisfy these prerequisite requirements include courses within the KHC Curriculum, the CGS Curriculum, and the Core Curriculum.
Others:
Health profession schools may have course requirements in addition to the courses stated above. Students should always check the requirements of individual schools.
Veterinary Schools:
Some veterinary schools require additional prerequisites including but not limited to:
- anatomy (CAS BI 210, CAS BI 310, SAR HS 369)
- animal science
- animal nutrition (we do not offer a course in animal nutrition)
- cell biology (CAS BI 203, CAS BI 213, CAS BI 218)
- ecology (CAS BI 303)
- genetics (CAS BI 206 or CAS BI 216)
- medical terminology (GMS BT 104)
- microbiology (CAS BI 311)
- physiology (CAS BI 211, CAS BI 315)
- speech/public speaking (CAS WR 318)
AAVMC/VMCAS Summary of Course Prerequisites
Explore Health-Related Electives at BU
Looking to fulfill Hub requirements, balance your course load, or explore electives focused on health and healthcare delivery? Check out the options below!
These courses are not required, but they offer valuable opportunities to enhance your undergraduate education and support your preparation for a career in healthcare.
Have a course recommendation?
If there’s a class you think other pre-health students should check out, let us know! Email us at preprof@bu.edu!
