Information for Pre-med Students

Students must earn a "C" or better in each course taken to fulfill a concentration requirement.

Latin American Studies

Students who are Pre-med and plan to go to medical school need not major in Biology, Chemistry or related fields. You may do any concentration at the Honors College, such as Anthropology, Art, Business, Economics, English, History, Law and Society, Math, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, or Psychology, as long as you take the following courses:

Courses:

  • 8 Credits of Biology (please see MCAT suggested courses below)
  • Biochemistry
  • General Chemistry 1 & 2 with labs
  • Organic Chemistry 1 & 2 with labs
  • General Physics 1 & 2 with labs
  • Calculus 1 (required for Physics 1)

Suggested for MCAT/medical school SUCCESS:

The following courses are recommended to assist with MCAT preparation:

  • Writing/Reading Intensive courses (e.g. Critical Inquiry or Hum./SBA/GC courses)
  • General Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Calculus 2 (needed for Physics 2)
  • Immunology/Microbiology
  • Introduction to Pre-Professional Studies + Lab (suggested for Junior/Seniors; Spring semesters)
  • PreMed Success (online course, offered via CESCOS)

The MCAT is the Medical College Admission Test.  There are currently 4 sections:

  1. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
  2. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
  3. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
  4. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

Medical schools will also want to see some patient contact experience:

  • Hospital volunteer with patient contact
  • Shadowing physicians
  • Observation of procedures

Research experience can also help. It matters more to some medical schools than others:

  • Senior thesis with Honors College Faculty
  • Summer research experiences
  • Scripps Research Institute
  • Max Planck Florida Institute

Open a file with FAU PreHealth Professions Office (in FAU - Boca Raton):

  • Receive advice an assistance on pursuing career in the health professions
  • Submit application for approval
  • Assistance with managing letter of recommendation
  • Assistance with being matched for shadowing opportunities
  • Committee Letter
  • Email: preprof@fau.edu


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