Premedical Coursework and Competencies

Before applying, medical schools expect that applicants develop certain competencies through undergraduate coursework, especially in the sciences, to provide the foundation for studying medicine.  Most medical schools currently require that students complete at least one year of college coursework (including both lecture and lab components) in biology, general/inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics to meet their admission requirements.  Science and medicine are changing, however, and some medical schools are considering changing their admission requirements and how they evaluate applicants.  It has been proposed that medical schools eventually move away from course-based admission requirements toward competency-based admission requirements, in order to allow greater flexibility in the types of courses that students may use to meet medical school admission requirements.  However, it is unlikely that many schools will abandon course-based requirements in the near future.

At Indiana University, we recommend that students complete the courses listed below to meet the requirements for the Indiana University School of Medicine and build the competencies required for success in medical school, while considering completion of some additional coursework to fulfill the common requirements for other medical schools (see the section on "Additional Coursework to Consider" below).  For more information on the competencies required for success in medical school please see the report, “Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians.” 

Course Requirements for Indiana University School of Medicine

The chart below lists the science coursework required for admission to the Indiana University School of Medicine, including the specific Indiana University Bloomington courses we recommend for all premed students. Students must complete lecture and laboratory work at the science major's level in each science area listed below. The courses listed provide essential preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

The minimum requirement for entering the Indiana University School of Medicine is 90 credit hours, excluding physical education and ROTC courses. Any major from the traditional arts and sciences curriculum is acceptable. Applications of students with educational backgrounds in other fields will be evaluated based on a minimum of 90 credit hours (three academic years) of college course work of arts and sciences equivalence.

Additional Coursework to Consider

In addition, we recommend that students consider completing some additional coursework to build the competencies required for success and meet the admissions requirements of medical schools. Requirements for other medical schools are similar to those of the IU School of Medicine, but there may be important variations. Knowledge of biochemistry is increasingly important for the study of medicine.  An increasing number of medical schools require coursework in biochemistry, virtually all of them recommend it, and it is likely that knowledge of biochemistry in the future will play a larger role in the MCAT exam.  Some medical schools require one year of English composition. Many medical schools do not have a specific math requirement, although many of the premed required courses have math prerequisites that students must meet before enrolling, and most undergraduate degree programs require math. Of the medical schools that have a math requirement some specifically require calculus, and many schools that do not specifically require math or calculus strongly recommend knowledge in those subjects as a useful tool in medical education. Knowledge of statistical methods is also important for the study of medicine.  Some medical schools require coursework in statistics and in the future it is likely that knowledge of statistics will play a larger role in the MCAT exam.

Also, students should be aware that some medical schools will not accept Advanced Placement or credit-by-examination towards meeting admission requirements, or accept such credit only under restricted circumstances. College-level coursework is often preferable for preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

Students should review the individual school entries in the publication Medical School Admissions Requirements (a copy is available in the Health Professions and Prelaw Center) or the school websites for further information on admissions requirements.