No matter what your major is, all colleges require a certain number of core classes that must be taken to earn your degree. This includes courses in English, history, math, science and other liberal arts classes. You may wonder what American history or literature has to do with becoming a surgeon, but the goal of these classes is to give every student a broad base of knowledge as a starting point for exploring their major.
Science classes factor heavily into the undergraduate program for future surgeons. While choosing a science major is not a requirement, many students declare majors in biology and other branches of science, as most of the courses in these programs align with the requirements to enter medical school. Regardless of your major, some of the science courses you’ll be expected to take are biology, organic and inorganic chemistry and physics.
Most pre-med students customize their curriculum to include a variety of science and health electives. These classes aren’t necessarily required, but will help them prepare for medical school. Having these upper-level courses also makes them more attractive to medical school review committees and demonstrates their aptitude for success in medical school. Classes such as microbiology, genetics, medicinal chemistry and developmental biology are a few of the possibilities for pre-med students.
In addition to classroom work, undergraduates must also obtain practical experience while working on their degrees. Many schools offer internship or mentorship programs where pre-med students observe and work alongside experienced medical professionals to gain real-world experience. For prospective surgeons, these will usually take place in a local hospital. Expect to interact with patients and do rounds with your attending physician, as well as attend pre- and post-operative appointments. If you have an idea of the specialty you would like to pursue, such as neurosurgery or oncology, you can request an internship in that area.