
Premedical Studies Co-Major


The Premedical Studies Co-Major is designed to provide students with a broad-based science background and prepares them to pursue advanced degrees in medicine as well as other healthcare related fields. The co-major integrates formal advising sessions with professional development courses and courses covering the fundamental concepts in the biological, physical, and social sciences required for admission into medical school and/or covered on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). As a result, the co-major requires only 2 additional credit hours to a normal premedical curriculum, while allowing students to more efficiently track their progress toward achieving their professional goals.

Components of the Premedical Studies Co-Major
In addition, while strongly encouraged to pursue this co-major, prehealth students are not required to complete the co-major for successful application and admittance into medical school or any other health professional school. Premedical Studies courses as well as access to the advising services provided by the Mallory-Wilson Center for Healthcare Education and the Premedical Advisory Committee are available to all students.
Lastly, the Premedical Studies Co-Major is not a standalone major and must be taken in conjunction with a primary major that provides the significant depth and breadth of a formal academic discipline. Upon graduation, students receive the degree designation of their primary major.
For more information about the Premedical Studies Co-Major and how to enroll, please contact:
Ms. Tailyn Walborn
Mallory-Wilson Center
106 Pearson Hall
(513) 529-3149
walborta@MiamiOH.edu
Academic Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the Premedical Studies Co-major, a student must complete 62-66 semester hours distributed as follows:
- Biology Courses (11-12 hours)
- Chemistry Courses (24 hours)
- English Courses (6 hours)
- Statistics Course (3-4 hours)
- Physics Courses (8-10 hours)
- Professional Development Courses (2 hours)
- Social Science Courses (8 hours)
- Recommended Elective Courses (not required)
The specific courses required are listed below. When students take these courses during their undergraduate careers depends on when a student hopes to enter medical school and what primary major is chosen. As a result, each student should work with both primary major and prehealth co-major advisors to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled in the appropriate time frame.
Biology Courses
Take all of these:
- BIO/MBI 116 - Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology (4 hours)
- BIO/MBI 115 or BIO 305 or MBI 201 - Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity (4 hours)
- BIO/MBI 200-499 (excludes independent study)
A 4th biology course is strongly recommended, but not required.
Chemistry Courses
Take all of these:
- General Chemistry:
- CHM 141/144 - College Chemistry/College Chemistry Lab (5 hours)
and CHM 142/145 - College Chemistry/College Chemistry Lab (5 hours)
- CHM 141/144 - College Chemistry/College Chemistry Lab (5 hours)
- Organic Chemistry:
- CHM 241/244 - Organic Chemistry/Organic Chemistry Lab (5 hours)
and CHM 242/245 - Organic Chemistry/Organic Chemistry Lab (5 hours)
OR
- CHM 251/254 - Organic Chemistry for Chemistry Majors/Organic Chemistry Lab for Chemistry Majors (6 hours)
and CHM 252/255 - Organic Chemistry for Chemistry Majors/Organic Chemistry Lab for Chemistry Majors (5 hours)
- CHM 241/244 - Organic Chemistry/Organic Chemistry Lab (5 hours)
- Biochemistry:
- CHM 432 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry (4 hours)
English Courses
One year or equivalent
Statistics Course
Take one of these:
- STA 261 - Statistics (4 hours)
OR - STA 301 - Applied Statistics (3 hours)
or STA 368 - Introduction to Statistics (4 hours)
or ISA 205 - Business Statistics (4 hours, calculus-based)
Physics Courses
Take one of these:
- PHY 161 - Physics for the Life Sciences with Laboratory I (4 hours)
and PHY 162 - Physics for the Life Sciences with Laboratory II (4 hours)
OR - PHY 191 - General Physics with Laboratory I (5 hours)
and PHY 192 - General Physics with Laboratory II (5 hours, calculus-based)
Professional Development Courses
Take both of these:
- PMD 101 - Explorations in Healthcare Careers (1 hour)
- PMD 301 - Navigating Healthcare Professional School Admissions (1 hour)
Social Science Courses
Take both of these:
- PSY 111/112 - Introduction to Psychology (4 hours)
- SOC 153 - Sociology in a Global Context (3 hours)
Recommended Electives
These are not required:
- additional biology course
- MTH 151 - Calculus I (5 hours)
or MTH 153 - Calculus I (4 hours)
Program Overview: Learning Objectives and Activities
Year 1: Initiating Premedical Studies/Exploring Career Opportunities in Medicine
- PMD 101 - Explorations in Healthcare Careers (1 hour, fall semester)
- Complete comprehensive plan of preparation.
- Advising (Premedical, Divisional, & Departmental Advisors)
Year 2: Continuing Premedical Studies/Exploring the Field and Gaining Medical Experience
- Advising (Premedical, PAC Faculty Advisor, Divisional, & Departmental Advisors)
Year 3: Preparing the Application/Exploring the Field and Gaining Medical Experience
- PMD 301 - Preparing for a Career in Medicine (1 hour, spring semester)
- Complete mock AMCAS application and mock interview.
- Advising (Premedical, PAC Faculty Advisor, MCAT Preparation Session)
Year 4: Finishing Premedical Studies/Planning for the Future
- Advising (Premedical, Divisional, & Departmental Advisors)
Courses
PMD 101 - Explorations in Healthcare Careers (1)
Explores the various career pathways in healthcare and helps students considering a career in a healthcare field develop a comprehensive plan of preparation for admission to medical school or other healthcare profession school. This professional development course is for all students considering a career in healthcare.
Credit/no-credit only.
PMD 301 - Navigating Healthcare Professional School Admissions (1)
Prepares students to navigate the healthcare professional school admissions process. Students reflect on their motivation for becoming a healthcare provider and develop personal statements and descriptions of activities for their applications. The final product will be completion of a mock application to a healthcare professional school and mock interview. This professional development course will be of interest to students applying to medical or other health profession school.
Credit/no-credit only.