• Pre-Health Advising
• Academic Preparation

Academic Preparation

Specific requirements may vary among medical specialties. Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply. Please plan ahead and schedule your courses carefully to make sure that you meet Oxy's core and major requirements while fulfilling the medical school requirements. We highly recommend additional courses from Biochemistry, English Writing and English and Comparative Literary Studies, Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health realted courses from Urban and Environmental Policy Institute and Diplomacy and World Affairs departments.  If you miss the opportunity to take all the required courses for medical programs while at Oxy, you may take them at another college during summer or, enroll in a postbaccalaureate program after graduation.

If you have any questions about selecting or scheduling your courses, please contact academic departments, your academic advisor and the prehealth advisor.

To see academic requirements and Oxy courses that satisfy program requirements, click on the links below:

Basic Academic Requirements for Medical School Admission                        DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Dental School Admission                          DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Veterinary School Admission                    DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Nursing Programs                                     DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Programs in Occupational Therapy          DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Optometry School                                     DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Pharmacy School Admission                     DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Physical Therapy Programs                      DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Physician Assistant Programs                   DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Podiatric School Admission                       DOWNLOAD

Basic Academic Requirements for Programs in Public Health                         DOWNLOAD

 

 

 

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Basic Academic Requirements for Medical School Admission 

 

Biology: One year with labs

Biology 115        Zoology or, Biology 110, Organisms on Earth *
Biology 130        Cell and Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with Chemistry 120/130)

In addition, upper division courses in biochemistry (222 or 349 for Biochem majors) and molecular biology (221) are highly recommended and are required by some medical schools.

* Please note that some medical schools may specifically require Zoology (115) and it is a pre-req for Human Physiology (307) offered by Oxy’s Kinesiology department.

Chemistry: One year Inorganic with labs, One year Organic with labs, taken sequentially

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chemistry 120    General Chemistry I or,
Chemistry 130    Advanced Placement General Chemistry (with AP scores of 4 or 5)
Chemistry 220    Organic Chemistry I
Chemistry 221    Organic Chemistry II
Chemistry 240    General Chemistry II

Mathematics: One year

Students take the Math Placement Test online before enrolling and are advised which Calculus courses to take: Calc. 1 (110 or 114), Calc. 2 (120 or 124), 128, 330, 341.

Some med schools require a Statistics course (146 or 150)

For most medical schools, you may meet the one-year math requirement by taking a math-based Stats (146 or 150) or Biostats (368) and one semester of Calc 1 or 2.

Physics: One year with labs, taken sequentially

Physics 115        General Physics I
Physics 125        General Physics II
Or, 106, 110 and 120 in sequence

English: One year

2 semesters of Oxy’s Core Classes are accepted. Additional courses from Writing and Rhetoric (WRD 201, 275) or English and Comparative Literature departments are highly recommended.

Other highly recommended courses:

Psychology (102) , Psychology (200), Sociology (101), Public Health related courses offered by UEP and DWA

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Dental School Admission

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in dentistry. Specific requirements vary among dental schools. Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply.

American Dental Education Association (ADEA): www.adea.org

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115            General Zoology (or Bio 110 Organisms on Earth)

Bio 130            Cellular & Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with the

pre-req Chem 120 or 130)

In addition, one term of Biochemistry (Bio 222 or, 349 and 350 for Biochem majors) is required by many dental schools.

Chemistry: One year Inorganic with labs. One year Organic with labs, taken sequentially

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chem 120        General Chemistry I (or Chem 130 AP General Chemistry with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chem 220        Organic Chemistry I

Chem 221        Organic Chemistry II

Chem 240        General Chemistry II

Physics: One year with labs, taken sequentially

Physics 115     General Physics I

Physics 125     General Physics II

Or, Physics 106, 110, and 120 in sequence

Math: To prepare for Calc-based physics

Students must take the math placement Test on-line before enrolling.

Calculus 1 (110 or 114), Calculus 2 (120 or 124)

Note: Oxy’s pre-req for physics is Calculus 2

English: One year

2 semesters of Oxy’s Core CSP courses are accepted.  Additional courses in English Writing or English literature are highly recommended.

Social Science:

Psych 102        Introduction to Psychology

Other recommended courses: (by most schools)

Anatomy (Kinesiology 300 I and 301 II) and/or Physiology (Kinesiology 307)*

Histology (Bio 323 and 323L)

Immunology (Bio 330 and 330L)

Microbiology (Bio 325 or 350)

Genetics (Bio 224. Pre-req Chem 120 or 130 and Bio 130, or permission of instructor)

Statistics (Math 146 or Biostats Bio 368) – by a few dental school

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

 

Most Common Requirements for Veterinary School Admission

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in veterinary medicine. Specific requirements vary significantly among veterinary schools. Please check official admissions requirements, for each school to which you plan to apply.

Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges:

http://www.aavmc.org/Applicant-Responsibilities/Applicant-Responsibilities_Requirements.aspx

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115                        General Zoology

Bio 130                        Cellular & Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with the pre-req Chem 120 or 130)

In addition, one term of Microbiology and one term of Biochemistry (Bio 222 or 349 for Biochem majors) is required by most schools.

Chemistry: One year Inorganic with labs. One year Organic with labs, taken sequentially

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chem 120        General Chemistry I (or Chem 130 AP General Chemistry with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chem 220        Organic Chemistry I

Chem 221        Organic Chemistry II

Chem 240        General Chemistry II

Physics: One year with labs, taken sequentially

Physics 115     General Physics I

Physics 125     General Physics II

or

Physics 106, 110, and 120 in sequence)

NOTE: Oxy’s pre-req for physics is Calculus 2

Statistics and/or Calculus: One term

Calculus 1(Math 109, 110, or 114)                 

Calculus 2 (Math 120 or 124) 

Statistics (Math 146 or Bio 368)         

Other science courses (required or recommended):

Animal Nutrition – one term

Genetics – one term (Bio 224. Pre-req Chem 120 or 130 and Bio 130, or permission of instructor)

Physiology – one term (Kinesiology 307)

Non-science courses (required or recommended):

English – one year

Speech communication

Technical writing  

Psychology 102 or Sociology 101

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Nursing PROGRAMS

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in nursing programs. Specific requirements vary depending on degree options (BSN, Accelerated BSN*, MSN*, Entry Level Masters of Science in Nursing*) and schools.  Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply.

Biology: with labs

Biology 115     Zoology

Biology 130 *  Cell & Molecular Biology – a pre-req for Bio 325

Biology 325     Microbiology (with lab) or Biology 350          Symbiosis (with lab) is required

Biology 222      Biochemistry (or 349 for Biochem majors) is required or highly recommend

Chemistry: with labs

Chemistry 120             General Chemistry I (or, Chem 130 with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chemistry 240             General Chemistry II

Chemistry 220            Organic Chemistry - one term (required by some schools)

Statistics:

Math 146                     Statistics or

Biology 368                 Biostatistics

Anatomy/Physiology: with labs

Kinesiology 300          Human Anatomy I

Kinesiology 301          Human Anatomy II

Kinesiology 307          Human Physiology

Social/Behavioral Sciences:

Psychology 102                       Introduction to Psychology or

Psychology 321           Developmental Psychology (pre-req Psych 102)

Sociology 101              Introduction to Sociology

English: One year

2 Semesters of Oxy’s Core CSP courses are accepted. Additional courses in English Writing or English Lit are recommended.

Other required or recommended courses:

(Human) Nutrition

Epidemiology

Anthropology

Group and/or Verbal communication - some programs do not accept Public Speaking

Medical ethics

*Programs such as ABSN, ELMSN, MECN (at UCLA) are designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in another discipline. Note: Some schools may require scores from TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) for ELMSN or ABSN.

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Programs in Occupational Therapy

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in occupational therapy. Specific requirements vary among programs. Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Programs:

http://www.aota.org/Students/Schools.aspx

Biology: Min. One term of General Biology

Bio 115             Zoology

Bio 130             Cell & Molecular Biology

Chemistry: Min. one term of General Chemistry

Chem 120 (or, 130)

Anatomy and Physiology:

Kinesiology 300 Human Anatomy

Kinesiology 307 Human Physiology

Physics: Min. one term of Introductory Physics

Physics 115       General Physics I

Physics 125       General Physics II

Statistics:

Math 146                      Statistics or

Biology 368                   Biostatistics or

Psychology 201             Statistics in Psychological Science

Social/Behavioral Science:

Psychology 102             Introduction to Psychology

Psychology 321             Developmental Psychology

Psychology 330             Abnormal Psychology

Sociology 101                Introductory Sociology or Introduction to Social Anthropology (not offered at Oxy)

English Composition:

2 semesters of Oxy’s Core CSP courses

Other required or recommended courses:

Gerontology or adult development - recommended but not required by USC

Medical Terminology (required by USC)

Chemistry: one term of General Chemistry (Chem 120 or 130) – required by University of Washington, not required by USC

Public Speaking

3 dimensional skills/crafts – sculpting, knitting, etc.

Work Experience: with people who have mental, physical or developmental disabilities

Observations: in two different types of O.T settings (one setting, min. 40 hours with O.T.)

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Optometry School

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in optometry. Specific requirements vary among optometry schools. Please check official admissions requirements, for each school to which you plan to apply.

OptomCAS: School and College Pre-requisities:

http://www.optomcas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=8

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115                        General Zoology

Bio 130                        Cellular & Molecular Biology

Chemistry: One year with labs

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chem 120        General Chemistry I (or Chem 130, AP General Chemistry with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chem 240        General Chemistry II

Physics: One year with labs, taken sequentially

Physics 115     General Physics I

Physics 125     General Physics II

or

Physics 106, 110, and 120 in sequence

Note: Oxy’s pre-req for physics is Calculus 2

College Math: One year

Students take the Math Placement Test online before enrolling and are advised which Calculus courses to take.

Calculus 1(Math 109, 110, or 114)                 

Calculus 2 (Math 120 or 124)             

English: One year

2 semesters of Oxy’s core CSP courses are accepted. Additional courses from Writing and Rhetoric (WRD 201, 275) or English and Comparative Literature departments are highly recommended.

Other recommended or required courses

Anatomy (Kinesiology 300 I and 301 II) and/or Physiology (Kinesiology 307)*

Microbiology (Bio 325 or 350)

Biochemistry (Bio 222 or 349 for Biochem majors)

Organic Chemistry: one term or one year (Chem 220, Chem 221)

Statistics or Biostatistics (Math 146 or Bio 368)

Psychology (Psych 102)

UC Berkeley requires human anatomy (with lab), human physiology (with lab), microbiology, and biochemistry.

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Pharmacy School Admission

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in pharmacy. Specific requirements vary significantly among pharmacy schools. Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply.

Pharmacy School Admission Requirements

http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions/pages/PSAR.aspx

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115             General Zoology (*pre-req for Human Physiology 307)

Bio 130             Cell & Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with the pre-req Chem 120 or 130)

In addition, one term of Biochemistry (Bio 222 or 349 and 350 for Oxy Biochem majors), and Microbiology (Bio 325 or, Bio 350) are required by most pharmacy schools.

Note: Some programs may require 2 terms of Biochemistry (i.e. U. of Pacific).

Chemistry: One year Inorganic with labs & One year Organic with labs, taken sequentially

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chem 120         General Chemistry I (or Chem 130 AP General Chemistry with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chem 220         Organic Chemistry I

Chem 221         Organic Chemistry II

Chem 240         General Chemistry II

Physics: with labs

Physics 115       General Physics I and/or

Physics 125       General Physics II

Or, Physics 106, 110, and 120 in sequence

Statistics and Calculus:

Students take the Math Placement Test online before enrolling and are advised which Calculus courses to take.

Calculus 1(Math 109, 110, or 114)                     

Calculus 2 (Math 120 or 124)

Statistics (Math 146 or Bio 368)            

Note: Oxy’s pre-req for physics is Calculus 2.  Some programs require both Calc 1 and 2.

Anatomy and Physiology:

Kinesiology 300, 301      Human Anatomy 1 & 2

Kinesiology 307 *          Human Physiology

English:One year

2 semesters of Oxy’s Core CSP courses are accepted.  Additional courses in English Writing or English Lit. are highly recommended.

Psychology (102)

Other required or recommended courses:

Economics 101 and/or 102

Sociology 101

Public speaking / Communications (Interpersonal Comm. Course may not be accepted)

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

Note: PCAT exam is required by more than 75% of Pharmacy schools: www.pcatweb.info

 

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Physical Therapy programs

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in a career in Physical Therapy.  Specific requirements and deadlines (Oct/Nov/Dec) vary significantly among programs.  Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply.

American Physical Therapy Association: www.apta.org

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115             Zoology* (or Bio 110 Organisms on Earth)

Bio 130             Cell & Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with the pre-req Chem 120 or 130)

* Note: Zoology (Bio 115) is a pre-req for Human Physiology (Kinesiology 307) at Oxy. Additional upper division Biology courses are recommended.

Chemistry: One year Inorganic with labs

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chem 120         General Chemistry I (or Chem 130 AP General Chemistry with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chem 240         General Chemistry II

Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry courses are accepted.

Note: Chem requirements for Kinesiology majors at Oxy: Gen Chem 1 and O. Chem 1 and  2.

Physics: One year with labs, taken sequentially

Physics 115       General Physics I

Physics 125       General Physics II        

or

Physics 106, 110, and 120 in sequence

Math: One year

Students take the Math Placement Test online before enrolling and are advised which Calculus courses to take.

Calculus 1 (110 or 114)

Calculus 2 (120 or 124)   128, 330 or 341 are also accepted.

P.T. programs may accept other college level math courses but Calc. 2 is a pre-req for Oxy’s Physics courses

Statistics: one term

Math (146 or 150) or Biostatistics (Bio 368)

A statistics course form Psychology or Sociology may be accepted by some P.T programs

Anatomy and/or Physiology with labs one or more courses are required

Kinesiology Dept: Anatomy (300, 301), Human Physiology (307), Exercise Physiology (305)

We recommend both Anatomy and Physiology courses with labs

Social and/or Behavioral Science: One or more courses are required

Psychology (102), Abnormal Psychology (330), Sociology (101)

Work Experience: Paid or volunteer experience in various P.T settings – recommend min. 200 hours

A reference from a licensed Physical Therapist is required.

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Physician Assistant Programs

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in becoming a physician assistant. Specific requirements vary among programs and specialties. Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply.

Physician Assistant Programs:

http://www.paeaonline.org/index.php?ht=d/ContentDir/pid/255

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115             Zoology

Bio 130             Cell & Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with the pre-req Chem 120 or 130)

In addition, one term of Microbiology (Bio 325 or 350) and one term of Biochemistry (Bio 222 or 349 for Biochem majors) is required or highly recommended by most programs.

Chemistry: Min. one term of general chem and one term of organic chem with corresponding labs

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chem 120         General Chemistry I (or Chem 130 AP General Chemistry with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chem 220         Organic Chemistry I

Chem 221         Organic Chemistry II

Chem 240         General Chemistry II

Math: Preparation for Calc-based Physics *

Students take the Math Placement Test online before enrolling and are advised which Calculus courses to take.

Note: At Oxy, Calc. 2 is a pre-req for Physics.

Calculus 1(Math 109, 110, or 114)                     

Calculus 2 (Math 120 or 124)    

Statistics:

Math 146 or Bio 368 or Psychology 201

Anatomy and Physiology:

Kinesiology 300 Human Anatomy

Kinesiology 307 Human Physiology

English: one year

2 semesters of Oxy’s Core CSP courses. Additional composition or literature courses are recommended.

Other required or strongly recommended courses:

Physics * – one year with labs

Humanities, Social Science (Psychology 102, Sociology 101)

Health Care experience

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Podiatric School Admission

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in Podiatric medicine.  Specific requirements vary among schools.  Please check official admissions requirements for each school to which you plan to apply.

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115             Zoology* (or Bio 110 Organisms on Earth )

Bio 130             Cell & Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with the pre-req Chem 120 or 130)

* Note: Zoology (Bio 115) is a pre-req for Human Physiology (Kinesiology 307) at Oxy. In addition, upper division courses in Biochemistry (Bio 222 or, Bio 349 and Chem 350, taken in sequence by Biochem majors) is highly recommended. 

Chemistry: One year Inorganic with labs, One year Organic with labs, taken sequentially

Incoming frosh must take the Chemistry Placement Test online before enrolling.

Chem 120         General Chemistry I (or Chem 130 AP General Chemistry with AP scores of 4 or 5)

Chem 220         Organic Chemistry I

Chem 221         Organic Chemistry II

Chem 240         General Chemistry II

Physics: One year with labs, taken sequentially

Physics 115       General Physics I

Physics 125       General Physics II        

or

Physics 106, 110, and 120 in sequence

Note: Oxy’s pre-req for physics is Calculus 2

Math: One year

Students take the Math Placement Test online before enrolling and are advised which Calculus courses to take.

Calculus 1 (110 or 114)

Calculus 2 (120 or 124)   128, 330 or 341 are also accepted.

Statistics* ( Math 146 or 150) Or, Biostatistics (Bio 368)

For some schools, you may take a math-based Stats (Math 146 or 150) or Biostatistics (Bio 368) to replace one term of calculus to meet the one-year Math requirement. 

English: One year

2 semesters of Oxy’s Core CSP courses are accepted.  Additional courses from Writing and Rhetoric (WRD 201, 275) or English and Comparative Literature departments are highly recommended.

Other recommended courses:

Microbiology, Physiology and/or Anatomy, Immunology, Histology

Psychology (102, 200), Sociology (101)

Public Health related courses offered by UEP and DWA

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.

 

Basic Academic Requirements for Programs in Public Health

 

We recommend the following courses for Oxy students who are interested in public health. Specific requirements vary significantly among programs and career paths. Ph.D. programs may require additional courses. Please check official requirements for each school to which you plan to apply. 

Association of Schools of Public Health: Member Schools

http://www.asph.org/document.cfm?page=200

Biology: One year with labs

Bio 115                        General Zoology

Bio 130                        Cell & Molecular Biology (may be taken concurrently with the pre-req Chem 120 or 130)

Bio 325 or 350            Microbiology

Math: One year (linear algebra, calculus) and statistics

Students take the Math Placement Test online before enrolling and are advised which Calculus courses to take.

Calculus 1(Math 109, 110, or 114)                 

Calculus 2 (Math 120 or 124)

Statistics (Math 146) or Biostatistics (Bio 368)                       

Other required or recommended courses:

Human Anatomy I and II (Kinesiology 300, 301) – Johns Hopkins requires one term

Human Physiology (Kinesiology 307) - Johns Hopkins requires one term

Social Sciences: (Psychology 102, Sociology 101)

Economics 101

Other requirements/recommendations:

Health-related work experience

Please work closely with your academic advisor and/or contact department chairs if you have any questions about scheduling your courses to ensure that you meet college core, major and minor requirements.