Choosing Classes

Course prerequisites vary by medical school,  as do policies for accepting various types of credit. It is wise to check with your premedical advisor and individual medical school admissions websites for specific requirements. MSAR is also an excellent source of compiled information - class requirements and much more - about allopathic medical schools.

As one example of typical requirements, the UAMS course list is shown below.

Courses recommended for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

Regardless of major, students are encouraged to take the following courses to be prepared for the MCAT.

  • Cell Biology
  • Human Physiology
  • General Chemistry I – II
  • Organic Chemistry I – II
  • Biochemistry
  • Physics I - II
  • Psychology
  • Sociology


Other courses often cited as beneficial

  • Social Psychology (and/or other upper level Psychology or Sociology)
  • Prokaryotic Biology
  • Biostatistics and/or another Experimental Design class

Students may benefit from completing the following courses before matriculating into medical school. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, and students are encouraged to be on the lookout for new class listings.

  • Philosophy (Bioethics, Introduction to Philosophy, or Logic)
  • Human Anatomy
  • Genetics
  • General Microbiology
  • Cell Physiology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Basic Immunology
  • Mechanisms of Pathogenesis
  • Medical Terminology for Health Professions
  • Introduction to Neurobiology
  • General Virology
  • Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Mechanics of Human Movement