The premedical basic requirement is an introductory biology course that exposes you to the foundational elements and theories of the field. Topics can include ecology, biodiversity, and the basic cellular and genetic structure of living things. Receiving a sufficiently high score on your advanced placement biology exam allows you to waive this course requirement for a premedical major, however you will still need to take a full year of additional biology coursework, as many medical schools do not allow this waiver to suffice for their minimum admission requirements.
A course in cell biology is also mandatory for most premedical programs, as it examines the properties and processes of the cell. Topics in cell biology courses can range from the examination of the organelles within the cell to the intricate mechanisms of cellular growth and activity, like metabolism and genetic expression.
Requirements for biochemistry and molecular genetics coursework also amplify your medical school preparation. Biochemistry, often cross-listed with chemistry courses, centers on the components of biomolecular structures, such as proteins, as well as their behaviors. Genetics courses explore the mechanisms of gene expression and recombination for organisms ranging from microbes to bipeds. Some universities allow you to take either biochemistry or molecular genetics as an upper-level biology course, however biochemistry is a course frequently required for admission to medical school.
Some premedical undergraduate programs require coursework in additional fields, such as human physiology. These examine how the body functions on a cellular and a systemic level, such as the musculoskeletal or cardiovascular system. Other premed programs strongly recommend taking such courses as they can complement your other biology coursework in preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test, a requirement for admission to medical school.