Program: Medicine, Preparatory - University of Nevada, Reno

University General Course Catalog 2012-2013

Apr 23, 2025

Medicine is the science and art of diagnosing, treating, curing and preventing disease. Physicians practice in many medical specialties using a full range of health-care techniques aimed at preserving and improving health.

Pre-medicine is not a major, but a set of courses required by medical schools for admission. Any major is appropriate as long as the student fulfills all premedical requirements, be it through required courses or elective courses.

It is wise to work toward a degree in any area which would serve as an attractive alternative in the event you were deterred from your goal in medicine.

The Advising Center, Edmund J. Cain Hall, Suite 102, has a health careers resource library which includes the Association of American Medical College Medical School Admission Requirements.

Required Premedical Course Work

The basic course requirements of the majority of medical schools are listed below. This is also the course work covered on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) which must be taken at least one year prior to anticipated admission to medical school. All required course work must be taken for a letter grade. High school students are advised to gain a strong foundation in math and sciences. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine the requirements of the school(s) of his/her choice and to fulfill these requirements before the projected date of entrance.

More information on all medical school requirements and admissions procedures can be found at Medical School Admissions Requirements, available online at http://www.aamc.org/msar . Students can learn more about requirements for the University fo Nevada School of Medicine online at http://www.medicine.nevada.edu .

The basic course requirements of the majority of medical schools are:

Chemistry

General

CHEM 121A - General Chemistry I (3 units) AND
CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 unit)
CHEM 122A - General Chemistry II (3 units) AND
CHEM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1 unit)
OR
CHEM 201 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers I (4 units)
CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers II (4 units)

Organic

CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I (3 units)
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II (3 units)
CHEM 345 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 units)
OR
CHEM 341 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals I (3 units)
CHEM 342 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals II (3 units)
CHEM 345 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
(2 units)

Physics

General

PHYS 151R - Gen Physics I & Lab (4 units)
PHYS 152R - Gen Physics II & Lab (4 units)

Biology

Most medical schools require a minimum of 12 credits of biology, with at least one lab. Courses that can be used to fulfill this requirement include

BIOL 190 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 units)
BIOL 191 - Introduction Organismal Biology (3 units)
BIOL 192 - Principles of Biological Investigation (2 units)
BIOL 223 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 units)
BIOL 224 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 units)
BIOL 251 - General Microbiology (4 units)
with additional course work in genetics, biochemistry, virology, parasitology and molecular biology recommended.

Note(s):

Beginning in 2011, the University of Nevada School of Medicine will require 15 biology credits; a minimum of 6 credits must be upper division.

Mathematics

1 year of calculus for about 25% of medical schools:

MATH 181 - Calculus I (4 units)
MATH 182 - Calculus II (4 units)

English

ENG 101 - Composition I (3 units)
ENG 102 - Composition II (3 units)

Social Studies & Humanities

A well-rounded background is important and course work outside of science is strongly encouraged. (The University of Nevada School of Medicine requires 3 credits behavioral sciences that deal with psychological stages of the life cycle.) See School of Medicine , Admission Information.

Application Process

Most medical schools belong to a centralized application service (AMCAS) that allows students to apply through one initial application. AMCAS applications are submitted in the summer one year prior to entering medical school. Nearly all medical schools require applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The four sections of the exam are Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning and a Writing Sample. Actual test time is approximately 6 hours.

Letters of Recommendation: All medical schools require letters of recommendation, usually three to five at the time of the secondary application. It is advisable that one to two letters be from the science faculty and one be from someone in health care with whom you have worked or volunteered. AMCAS offers a Letters of Recommendation Service. For more information go to http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/amcaslettersfaq.htm

Beyond the satisfactory completion of minimum requirements, selection for admission is based on many factors including undergraduate grade point average, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, an interview, personal statement, and awareness of, and experiences in health-related fields.

Advising is also provided for students interested in podiatry, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, and optometry. Course requirements are very similar to the premedicine requirements. For more information on the University of Nevada, School of Medicine, see the School of Medicine section of this catalog or visit http://www.medicine.nevada.edu