Medical schools require the following courses for entrance:
- Freshman chemistry with lab time (one year)
- Organic chemistry with lab time (one year)
- Biology with lab time (one year)
- Physics with lab time (one year)
- English (one year)
- Calculus (one year)
While these courses receive additional weight, they are the only course requirements for applying to most medical schools. The remaining course schedule is up to the student's discretion.
Biochemistry is an advanced subject that combines the fields of biology and chemistry. Many pre-medical school students study this subject although it is not required. This field studies biology on the chemical and molecular level with special emphasis on DNA and other chemical molecules. It also studies chemical reactions within biological organisms and how they give rise to large processes. Knowledge of this subject is useful in developing and proscribing medicine.
Pre-med students that do not study biochemistry often study other science fields. Pure biology and chemistry majors are popular. Physics and engineering are also possibilities for pre-med students. These majors demonstrate a dedication to the sciences in the student's application to medical school. Although every medical school is different, there is generally no strong preference for one science major over another as long as all the pre-med courses are completed sufficiently.
Students that take all the required pre-med courses can still apply and be accepted into great medical schools with a number of miscellaneous majors. Students studying English, history or social sciences should have no fear of applying to the top medical school. However, they must score well in their pre-med courses and show a dedication to the medical profession through research and extracurricular activities to improve their chances of acceptance.