What Classes Should You Take for Your First Year of a Pre-Med Degree?

Talk With Your Advisor

• It may seem like an obvious suggestion, but many students neglect to consult with their advisors when planning their courses. Your advisor can let you in on some of the peculiarities of your particular institution: maybe Organic Chemistry is always scheduled at the same time as Calculus during the spring semester, for example. In order to proceed with your degree on-schedule, you need to take Chemistry during the fall and Calculus in the spring. Meet with your advisor and get some input on class selection before you make your final choices.

Consider Any AP Coursework

• Did you take any Advanced Placement (AP) coursework in high school? If so, you can take tests to obtain college credit for those classes, which will put you ahead of some of your classmates. Forgot to schedule the tests? Oops. Speak with your advisor -- some institutions will allow you partial credit just for completing the course, or may allow you to sit for another test at a later date.

Do Not Forget Gen Ed

• In your mind, you may be a "Pre-Med Student," but you will be subject to the same general education (Gen Ed) requirements as all other students. This likely means a certain number of credits in English and other Humanities, Math coursework, classes in the Arts and sometimes Physical Education classes. Talk with your advisor for the full scoop -- requirements vary widely by each school. It is crucial that you do not disregard your general education requirements, or you could be required to take introductory 101 classes your senior year when you could better use that time on an internship instead.

The Real Thing

• Scheduling the courses that will actually be relevant in medical school is the final piece of your scheduling puzzle. Courses that most medical schools will expect you to complete during your undergraduate years include: General Chemistry (2 semesters, with lab component), Organic Chemistry (2 semesters, with lab component), General Biology (2 semesters, with lab component), General Physics (2 semesters, with lab component), Microbiology (1 - 2 semesters, with lab if applicable), Calculus 1 (and 2 if possible); Statistics 1 (and 2 if possible); Biology and Chemistry electives such as cell biology, biochemistry, genetics (depending on your school); and lastly, some Psychology coursework is recommended.

  Of course, when you take each class will depend on your institution and individual program of study. Your academic advisor can be invaluable in helping you to navigate your pre-med program and deciding when to take your courses.