Premedical Coursework
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 below provide essential preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). 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).
Course Requirements for Indiana University School of Medicine
| IU School of Medicine Requirement | IU Bloomington equivalent |
| General chemistry, 8-10 credit hours (one academic year) |
CHEM-C 117 and CHEM-N 3301 |
| Organic chemistry, 8-10 credit hours (one academic year) |
CHEM-C 3412, 342, and 343 |
| Physics, 8-10 credit hours (one academic year) |
PHYS-P 201 and 202 or PHYS-P 221 and 222 |
| Biological sciences, 8-10 credit hours (one academic year) |
BIOL-L 111, 112, and 113 or BIOL-L 112, 113, and 211 |
| Sequence of Chemistry Courses for Premed Students | |
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CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 3 CHEM-N 330 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry |
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1 In order to obtain the best preparation to meet the requirements for all medical schools, students should complete the sequence of courses for chemistry majors through CHEM-N 330, including CHEM-C 341, 342, and 343. Students should complete CHEM-C 342 and 343 before CHEM-N 330. The Indiana University School of Medicine will accept CHEM-C 118 in place of CHEM-N 330. However, the IUB Department of Chemistry and HPPLC strongly recommend all premed students complete CHEM-N 330 instead of CHEM-C 118 to meet the general/inorganic requirements for admission to medical schools.
2 Premed students should not enroll in the alternate organic chemistry course CHEM-R 340. Students cannot obtain credit for both CHEM-R 340 and CHEM-C 341. 3 It is recommended that students enroll concurrently in CHEM-C 342 and C-343. |
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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.
Admission Requirements for Other Schools
Requirements for other medical schools are similar, but there may be important variations. 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. An increasing number of medical schools require biochemistry, and we strongly recommend it. Many schools also require two semesters of organic chemistry lab.
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 Medical School Admissions Requirements (a copy is available in the Health Professions and Prelaw Center) or the school websites.
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