Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What courses are taken as a Pre Medical Student?

2. What should my schedule look like starting Binghamton as a Pre-Med student?

Freshman Year

FALL SPRING

Chem 104/106 Chem 105

Biol 113 Biol 114 / 115*

English Gen Ed

Gen Ed

Sophomore Year

FALL SPRING

Chem 231 Chem 332

Math 147 Chem 335

Gen Ed Gen Ed

Gen Ed Gen Ed

3. Do I need to take BIO 115?*

Freshman Research Initiative (FRI): Students who are part of the FRI should note that the FRI courses listed below fulfill the requirements of BIOL 115, so that they do not need to enroll in BIOL 115. These courses are: BIOL 225, ENVI 234/GEOL 234, CHEM 261, BIOL 241, ANTH 205, ANTH 206, PSYC 345.

If you have taken BOTH BIO 118 and BIO 117 already, you also do not have to take BIO 115.

4. Can I take classes over the Summer?

Students are often interested in taking required pre-health science courses during summer session. Unless these summer session courses are taken at Binghamton University, you should refrain from such actions.

Many professional schools frown upon the practice of taking required science courses away from your home institution during the summer, especially if they are taken at community colleges.

Many health professions graduate programs limit the number of community college science course credits they will accept from a student, if students take those courses after they matriculate at Binghamton University. It is acceptable, however, to take non-science courses at home if you need additional credit or have had scheduling difficulties at Binghamton.

If you are in a situation where you feel it is absolutely necessary to take a required science at home during summer, you should check with one of the Pre-Health Advising Team first. Also, remember if you are taking a course at home that is required of your major you will need to get your department's prior approval.

5. How do I find out about events on campus related to medicine?

You can join specific club listserv (emailing lists) through Bengaged or you can join the Pre-Health listserv by emailing:

“Subscribe PREHLTH-L [first name] [last name]” to listserv@listserv.binghamton.edu.

6. When can I meet with the Pre-Health advisor?

You must be a Junior 2 (72 credit hours) and have declared an interest in pre-health using this form. However, you can meet with Harpur Advising or one of the peer advisors at the pre-health office if you do not meet this requirements.

7. Who can I meet with at the pre-health office before I can meet with the advisor?

The BU Pre-Health advising office has peer advisors and the Fall 2021 schedule can be accessed here.

8. Can I still study abroad as a pre-med student?

Yes! If you want to, definitely. If you talk to an advisor early on and plan out your schedule, you can find a study abroad program that works for you. I wouldn’t suggest leaving your pre-med requirements for abroad, but leave a few gen eds, like a language, or pluralism. Binghamton has so many and we have so many more options here because of the SUNY system. The study abroad website is super easy to use. There are also study abroad advisors you can go speak to.

9. What advice do you wish someone gave you coming into college as a pre-med student?

Use your resources. There are so many resources that we actually pay for on this campus that most people never use or don’t even know about. You can rent a textbook and scan the pages in the library instead of paying $200 for it. Advisors are there to help you be successful. Visit the science building and check out research posters. Go to office hours and ask questions.