Click on your profession of interest to learn about the courses needed in preparation for professional school. These are general recommendations, designed to be applicable to the greatest number of schools within a particular profession. Specific requirements vary by school.
For school-specific information on prerequisite courses for D.O. schools, please see the DO Explorer. For M.D. schools, view the AAMC's Premed Course Requirements document or purchase a subscription to the Medical School Admission Requirements (usually not necessary until you’re closer to applying). Individual school websites will always have the most up-to-date information.
Complete these prerequisites prior to taking the MCAT: biology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, psychology and sociology.
Most common requirements:
Biology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
College math: two semesters
English: two semesters
Additional recommendations:
Additional biology: 1-2 semesters
Social science: two semesters
Ethics: one semester
Any courses that build writing, speaking, and quantitative skills
Biology:
First course: BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
Second course: BIOL-200 Be sure to speak with the pre-health advisor if you have not taken this course
Third course: BIOL-210 or BIOL-220
For a fourth course there are many options. Select something interesting to you and relevant to human health. Options include, but are not limited to, BIOL-210, 220, 241, 307, 319, 327, 328, and 340.
Why four biology courses?
Although medical schools typically require only two biology courses, in order to be effectively prepared for the MCAT and the first year of medical school, we strongly advise pre-medical students to complete at least four.
Chemistry:
First course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
All other courses: CHEM-202, 302 and 231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry majors will take BIOL-311 and BIOL-314.
Non-biochemistry majors will take CHEM-312/BIOCH-312. The lab, BIOCH-318, is optional.
General physics:
PHYS-100 and PHYS-150 are algebra-based physics courses designed for pre-health students. They follow MCAT physics topics. Most pre-health students take these courses to complete their physics requirement.
OR
Students majoring or minoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, pursuing the engineering Nexus, or who otherwise have a strong background in mathematics and/or a strong interest in physics, may need or choose to take PHYS-110 and PHYS-201. These courses are calculus-based. The first semester requires Calculus I as a prerequisite, and the second semester requires Calculus II. Despite the fact that they are not designed around MCAT topics, there is no disadvantage to taking these courses.
College math:
We recommend that pre-medical students take 1 semester of calculus and 1 semester of statistics.
Why?
34% of medical schools require 1-2 semesters of college math.
Overall there is a strong preference for calculus and statistics.
Strong quantitative skills are an important foundation for medicine and the MCAT.
Statistics options: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234, or PSYCH-201
Calculus options: MATH-101, MATH-102, or MATH-203
If you have not completed pre-calculus, you may need to complete MATH-100QR before taking calculus.
If you are considering different math courses, please speak with a pre-health advisor.
English:
We recommend that pre-medical students take 2 semesters of writing intensive English courses
Why?
60% of medical schools require 1-2 semesters of English and/or writing intensive courses.
Students planning to take multiple writing intensive courses in non-English disciplines should discuss questions and options with a pre-health advisor.
Below is a list of Mount Holyoke writing intensive English courses that have no prerequisite or require only a complete first-year seminar or ENGL-199. This may not be a complete list of all such courses:
ENGL-104, ENGL-199, ENGL-209, ENGL-249, ENGL-201, ENGL-204, ENGL-213, ENGL-214LR, ENGL-214RE, ENGL-217GE, ENGL-279, ENGL-282
Social science:
For most students we recommend PSYCH-100 and SOCI-123
Why?
21% of U.S. medical schools require 1-2 semesters of courses in the social and behavioral sciences. A small number of those require psychology or sociology, specifically.
16% of questions on the MCAT are on psychology topics, and 8% are on sociology topics.
For students interested in other social sciences, including a potential social science major or minor, discuss your options with a pre-health advsior.
Ethics:
PHIL-181 (Medical Ethics) or another course with a substantial ethics component
Why?
One of the AAMC's pre-medical competencies, that medical schools look for in applicants, is "Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others." Taking a course in ethics is one way to work on developing this competency. This course is not required.
For school-specific information on prerequisite courses, please see this chart from the American Dental Education Association and the ADEA Dental School Explorer.
Complete these prerequisites prior to taking the DAT: biology, general and organic chemistry and statistics. Because there are trigonometry topics on the DAT, if you did not complete trigonometry/pre-calculus in high school, it is recommended that you take pre-calculus before the DAT, as well.
Most common requirements:
Biology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
English: two semesters
Other frequent requirements include:
Microbiology: one semester, usually no lab
Anatomy: one semester, lab requirements vary
Physiology: one semester, lab requirements vary
College math: one to two semesters
Biology:
First course: BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
Second course: BIOL-200 Be sure to speak with the pre-health advisor if you have not taken this course
Third course: BIOL-210 or BIOL-220 (select BIOL-220 if you plan to take BIOL-328)
Although dental schools may require only two biology courses, in order to be effectively prepared for the DAT and the first year of dental school, pre-dental students should plan to complete at least one of these courses.
Approximately 25% of dental schools additionally require one or more of: BIOL-241: Comparative Animal Physiology or BIOL-328: Human Physiology, BIOL-307: Vertebrate Anatomy, BIOL-327: Microbiology.
Chemistry:
First course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
All other courses: CHEM-202, 302 and 231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry majors will take BIOL-311 and BIOL-314.
Non-biochemistry majors will take CHEM-312/BIOCH-312. The lab, BIOCH-318, is optional.
General physics:
PHYS-100 and PHYS-150 are algebra-based physics courses designed for pre-health students. Most pre-health students take these courses to complete their physics requirement.
OR
Students majoring or minoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, pursuing the engineering Nexus, or who otherwise have a strong background in mathematics and/or a strong interest in physics, may need or choose to take PHYS-110 and PHYS-201. These courses are calculus-based. The first semester requires Calculus I as a prerequisite, and the second semester requires Calculus II.
English:
Two English, humanities, or writing intensive courses is a common requirement. Any writing intensive English courses will fulfill this requirement. Rarely, a course with a nonspecific prefix, such as FYS (First-Year Seminar), will also fulfill this requirement. Writing intensive courses in other disciplines are generally not recommended for meeting this requirement. Discuss questions and options with a pre-health advisor.
Below is a list of Mount Holyoke writing intensive English courses that have no prerequisite or require only a complete first-year seminar or ENGL-199. This may not be a complete list of all such courses:
ENGL-104, ENGL-199, ENGL-209, ENGL-249, ENGL-201, ENGL-204, ENGL-213, ENGL-214LR, ENGL-214RE, ENGL-217GE, ENGL-279, ENGL-282
College math:
Few dental schools require a specific course in mathematics or statistics, but close to one third of them require some amount of “college math,” and trigonometry and statistics topics will appear on the DAT. Most students looking to complete two semesters of college math will find that a semester of statistics and a semester of calculus will be the right courses for their academic background and will fulfill most, if not all, dental school mathematics requirements. If you are considering different math courses, please speak with a pre-health advisor.
Statistics options: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234, or PSYCH-201
Calculus options: MATH-101, MATH-102, MATH-203
Pre-calculus: MATH-100QR
Programs for nurses, nurse-practitioner, certified nurse-midwives, and other advanced nursing specialties can vary significantly in their prerequisite courses. Students interested in pursuing nursing should look at nursing education programs early to ensure that they understand the prerequisites for different schools. The common requirements listed below are a good starting place.
Most common requirements for entering accelerated B.S.N. or direct-entry M.S.N. programs:
Biology: one semester with lab
General chemistry: one semester with lab
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
Microbiology: one semester with lab
Nutrition: one semester
Statistics: one semester
Human growth and development across the lifespan
Additional required courses may include one or more of:
Introductory psychology
An additional chemistry course
Ethics
Courses in the humanities and social sciences
Biology:
BIOL-145, BIOL-160 or NEURO-100. Please discuss options with a pre-health advisor.
If you want or need an additional biology course, BIOL-210 is usually a good choice.
Chemistry:
First course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
It is rare that a second course will be required. If one is, most likely you would take CHEM-231 (Inorganic Chemistry) or CHEM-202 (Organic Chemistry I)
Biochemistry majors would take CHEM-223 instead of CHEM-231
Anatomy and physiology:
KIN 270 and 272 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or
ESS 260 and 261 at Smith College or
BIOL-328 at MHC and ANTHRO-216: Anatomy of the Human Body at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Some nursing programs will not accept ANTHRO-216 because it is in an anthropology department
Microbiology: BIOL-227
Nutrition:
NUTRITN 130: Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or
ESS 250: Nutrition and Health at Smith College
Statistics: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234 or PSYCH-201
Human growth and development across the lifespan:
PSY 264: Lifespan Development at Smith College (students should have already taken Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology; check with course instructor about other prerequisites) or
Some nursing programs may accept PSYCH-230: Developmental Psychology instead of a "lifespan" course, but this is less common. Pre-nursing students wishing to pursue this option should first contact nursing programs of interest to ask about this option.
Introductory psychology: PSYCH-100
Ethics: PHIL-181 (Medical Ethics) or another ethics course
Courses in the humanities and social sciences:
There are many options for fulfilling such a requirement. What courses you select will depend in part on your interests and in part on each nursing school’s specific requirements. Many of the courses already listed above would fulfill this more general requirement.
Occupational therapy programs can vary significantly in their prerequisite courses, and even the most common prerequisites may not be universally required by schools. Students interested in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy should look at occupational therapy programs early to ensure that they understand the prerequisites for different schools. The common requirements listed below are a good starting place.
Most common requirements for MOT or OTD programs (required by 80% or more of programs):
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
Statistics: one semester
Introduction to psychology
Abnormal psychology
Developmental psychology: usually across the lifespan, e.g. birth to death
Additional recommendations (20-60% of programs):
Sociology or anthropology
Physics: one semester with lab
Biology: one semester with lab
While these are relatively common additional courses, it is not an exhaustive list. Be sure to look at individual programs for school by school requirements.
Anatomy and physiology:
ESS 260 and 261 at Smith College or
KIN 270 and 272 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or
BIOL-328 at MHC and ANTHRO-216: Anatomy of the Human Body at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Some OT programs will not accept ANTHRO-216 because it is in an anthropology department
Statistics: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234, or PSYCH-201
Introduction to psychology: PSYCH-100
Abnormal psychology: PSYCH-222
Developmental psychology:
Most OT programs that require a developmental psychology course are looking for coursework that covers the full human lifespan, from birth to death. They may additionally require this coursework to be completed in a psychology department rather than nursing (where lifespan courses are often offered outside of Mount Holyoke). Discuss your options with a pre-health advisor.
PSY 264: Lifespan Development at Smith College (students should have already taken Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology; check with course instructor about other prerequisites)
PSYCH-230: Developmental Psychology (this course does not cover the full lifespan and will only be accepted by some OT programs)
Sociology or anthropology: SOC-123 or ANTHR-105
Physics: PHYS-100 or PHYS-110
Biology: BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 (check with OT programs for specific biology requirements)
For school-specific information on prerequisite courses, please visit the Optometry Centralized Application Service.
Complete these prerequisites prior to taking the OAT: biology, anatomy and physiology, general and organic chemistry, physics, statistics.
Most common requirements:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Microbiology: one semester with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: one semester with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
Statistics: one semester
Calculus: one semester
English: two semesters
Psychology: one semester
Other frequent requirements:
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters, may or may not require lab
Biology:
First course: BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
Additional courses:
BIOL-200 Be sure to speak with the pre-health advisor if you have not taken this course
BIOL-210 or BIOL-220 (select BIOL-220 if you plan to take BIOL-328)
For some students, BIOL-210/220 will be one biology course more than their optometry schools require. However, taking at least one of these courses is important in order to be effectively prepared for the OAT and the first year of optometry school. It is also a prerequisite for Mount Holyoke College’s microbiology and anatomy courses.
Microbiology:
BIOL-327
Anatomy and physiology:
ESS 260 and 261 at Smith College or
KIN 270 and 272 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or
BIOL-328 at MHC and ANTHRO-216: Anatomy of the Human Body at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Chemistry:
First course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
All other courses: CHEM-202, 302 and 231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry majors will take BIOL-311 and BIOL-314.
Non-biochemistry majors will take CHEM-312/BIOCH-312. The lab, BIOCH-318, is optional.
General physics:
PHYS-100 and PHYS-150 are algebra-based physics courses designed for pre-health students. Most pre-health students take these courses to complete their physics requirement.
OR
Students majoring or minoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, pursuing the engineering Nexus, or who otherwise have a strong background in mathematics and/or a strong interest in physics, may need or choose to take PHYS-110 and PHYS-201. These courses are calculus-based. The first semester requires Calculus I as a prerequisite, and the second semester requires Calculus II.
English:
Two English, humanities, or writing intensive courses is a common requirement. Any writing intensive English courses will fulfill this requirement. Rarely, a course with a nonspecific prefix, such as FYS (First-Year Seminar), will also fulfill this requirement. Writing intensive courses in other disciplines are generally not recommended for meeting this requirement. Discuss questions and options with a pre-health advisor.
Below is a list of Mount Holyoke writing intensive English courses that have no prerequisite or require only a complete first-year seminar or ENGL-199. This may not be a complete list of all such courses:
ENGL-104, ENGL-199, ENGL-209, ENGL-249, ENGL-201, ENGL-204, ENGL-213, ENGL-214LR, ENGL-214RE, ENGL-217GE, ENGL-279, ENGL-282
Statistics: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234 or PSYCH-201
Calculus: MATH-101, MATH-102 or MATH-203
Psychology: PSYCH-100
For school-specific information on prerequisite courses, please see the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s prerequisite course information.
Pharmacy schools no longer require the PCAT, and the test is no longer administered.
Most common requirements (required by 50 percent or more of pharmacy programs):
Biology: two semesters with lab
Microbiology: one semester, lab requirements vary
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
Statistics: one semester
Calculus: one semester
English: two semesters
Communication/Speech: one semester
Other common requirements (required by at least 25 percent of pharmacy programs):
General physics: one semester, lab requirements vary (a few schools require two semesters)
Biochemistry: one semester, lab requirements vary
Social/behavioral science: one or two semesters
Economics: one semester
General education/elective courses: one to four semesters
Humanities: one to four semesters
Biology:
First course: BIOL-145, BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
Second course: BIOL-210 or BIOL-220
Microbiology: BIOL-227
Anatomy and physiology:
ESS 260 and 261 at Smith College or
KIN 270 and 272 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or
BIOL-328 or BIOL-241 at MHC and ANTHRO-216: Anatomy of the Human Body at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Chemistry:
First course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
All other courses: CHEM-202, 302 and 231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
Statistics: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234 or PSYCH-201
Calculus: MATH-101, MATH-102, or MATH-203
English:
Any writing intensive English courses will fulfill this requirement. Rarely, a course with a nonspecific prefix, such as FYS (First-Year Seminar), will also fulfill this requirement. Writing intensive courses in other disciplines are generally not recommended for meeting this requirement. Discuss questions and options with a pre-health advisor.
Below is a list of Mount Holyoke writing intensive English courses that have no prerequisite or require only a complete first-year seminar or ENGL-199. This may not be a complete list of all such courses:
ENGL-104, ENGL-199, ENGL-209, ENGL-249, ENGL-201, ENGL-204, ENGL-213, ENGL-214LR, ENGL-214RE, ENGL-217GE, ENGL-279, ENGL-282
Public speaking:
ENGL-248: Effective Public Speaking - half semester 2 credit course, offered every other spring
COMM 260: Public Speaking at University of Massachusetts-Amherst - 3 credit course offered every semester
General physics:
PHYS-100 is an algebra-based physics course designed for pre-health students. Most pre-pharmacy students take this course to complete their physics requirement.
OR
Students majoring or minoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, pursuing the engineering Nexus, or who otherwise have a strong background in mathematics and/or a strong interest in physics, may need or choose to take PHYS-110 or PHYS-201. These courses are calculus-based. The first semester requires Calculus I as a prerequisite, and the second semester requires Calculus II.
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry majors will take BIOL-311 and BIOL-314.
Non-biochemistry majors will take CHEM-312/BIOCH-312. The lab, BIOCH-318, is optional depending on whether or not you need it for pharmacy programs.
Social/Behavioral science:
Schools may prefer PSYCH-100 or SOC-123.
Other options include anything labeled as a social science in the Mount Holyoke course catalog.
Economics: ECON-110
Humanities and general education/elective courses:
There are many options for fulfilling these requirements. What you select will depend in part on your interests and in part on each pharmacy school’s specific requirements. Mount Holyoke College distribution requirements, and many of the courses already listed above, would fulfill this more general requirement.
For school-specific information on prerequisite courses, please visit the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service Course Prerequisite Summary and the PTCAS List of Programs.
Most common requirements:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
Psychology: two semesters
Statistics: one semester
Other requirements (required by 10 to 20 percent of schools):
Medical terminology: one semester
English composition/writing: one to two semesters
College math: one semester
Exercise physiology: one semester
Biology:
First course: BIOL-145, BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
Second course: BIOL-210, BIOL-220, or BIOL-227
Anatomy and physiology:
Physical therapy programs vary widely in the specific types of anatomy and physiology courses that they will accept. Some will take only human anatomy and physiology. Some will only accept these courses if they are taught within departments of biology, neuroscience, anatomy, or integrated physiology. To see specific requirements for each PT program, visit the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service to select a program by academic institution, then select “course prerequisites.” We recommend discussing your options with a pre-health advisor.
Options within the Five Colleges:
ESS 260 and 261 at Smith College or
KIN 270 and 272 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or
BIOL-328 or BIOL-241 paired with BIOL-307 or ANTHRO-216: Anatomy of the Human Body at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
General chemistry:
First course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
Second course: CHEM-231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
General physics:
PHYS-100 and PHYS-150 are algebra-based physics courses designed for pre-health students. Most pre-health students take these courses to complete their physics requirement.
OR
Students majoring or minoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, pursuing the engineering Nexus, or who otherwise have a strong background in mathematics and/or a strong interest in physics, may need or choose to take PHYS-110 and PHYS-201. These courses are calculus-based. The first semester requires Calculus I as a prerequisite, and the second semester requires Calculus II.
Psychology:
First course: PSYCH-100
Second course: PSYCH-222 or PSYCH-230
Statistics: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234 or PSYCH-201
Medical terminology: CLASSICS-250 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
English composition/writing:
Select courses that are writing intensive. Rarely, a course with a nonspecific prefix such as FYS (First-Year Seminar) will fulfill this requirement. Discuss questions and options with a pre-health advisor.
College math: MATH-100QR, MATH-101, MATH-102, or MATH-203
Exercise physiology:
ESS-315: Physiology of Exercise at Smith College
KIN-470: Exercise Physiology at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Physician Assistant programs can vary significantly in their prerequisite courses. Students interested in pursuing a career as a physician assistant should look at the Physician Assistant Education Association’s program directory early to ensure that they understand the prerequisites for different schools. The common requirements listed below are a good starting place.
Most common requirements (50 percent of schools or more):
Biology: two semesters with lab
Anatomy: one semester with lab
Physiology: one semester with lab
Microbiology: one semester with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: one semester with lab
Statistics
Additional comments: In addition to the courses listed above, schools may require one or more of:
Genetics: one semester, may or may not require lab
Biochemistry: one semester, may or may not require lab
Medical terminology
Psychology
English, humanities and/or writing-intensive courses
Ethics
Biology:
First course: BIOL-145, BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
Second course: BIOL-220
Anatomy and physiology:
ESS-260 and 261 at Smith College or
KIN-270 and 272 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst or
BIOL-328 or BIOL-241 paired with BIOL-307 or ANTHRO-216: Anatomy of the Human Body at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Microbiology: BIOL-227
Chemistry:
First course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
Second course to fulfill the requirement of a second semester of general chemistry: CHEM-231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
If your schools require Organic Chemistry: CHEM-202
Statistics: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234 or PSYCH-201
Genetics: BIOL-210
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry majors will take BIOL-311 and BIOL-314.
Non-biochemistry majors will take CHEM-312/BIOCH-312. The lab, BIOCH-318, is optional.
Medical terminology: CLASSICS-250 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Psychology: PSYCH-100
Humanities and/or writing-intensive courses:
There are many options for fulfilling these requirements. What you select will depend in part on your interests and in part on each PA school’s specific requirements. Mount Holyoke College distribution requirements and many of the courses already listed above would fulfill this more general requirement.
Ethics: PHIL-181 (Medical Ethics) or another ethics course
For school-specific information on prerequisite courses, please visit the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine.
Complete these prerequisites prior to taking the MCAT: biology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, psychology and sociology.
Most common requirements:
Biology: two semesters with lab (one school requires a third course)
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
English: two semesters
Additional recommendations:
In addition to the specific prerequisite courses for podiatry schools, the pre-health office recommends that pre-podiatry students take the following courses in preparation for the MCAT, which is the entrance examination required for podiatry schools:
Cell biology and/or genetics
A fourth biology course
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
Introductory psychology: one semester
Also useful may be sociology, statistics and ethics
Biology:
For a first course: BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
For a second course: BIOL-200 Be sure to speak with the pre-health advisor if you have not taken this course
For third and fourth courses, consider choosing from among: BIOL-210, 220, 241, 307, 319, 327, 328, and 340.
Chemistry:
For a first course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
For all other courses: CHEM-202, 302 and 231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry majors will take BIOL-311 and BIOL-314.
Non-biochemistry majors will take CHEM-312/BIOCH-312. The lab, BIOCH-318, is optional.
General physics:
PHYS-100 and PHYS-150 are algebra-based physics courses designed for pre-health students. They follow MCAT physics topics. Most pre-health students take these courses to complete their physics requirement.
OR
Students majoring or minoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, pursuing the engineering Nexus, or who otherwise have a strong background in mathematics and/or a strong interest in physics, may need or choose to take PHYS-110 and PHYS-201. These courses are calculus-based. The first semester requires Calculus I as a prerequisite, and the second semester requires Calculus II. Despite the fact that they are not designed around MCAT topics, there is no disadvantage to taking these courses.
English:
Two English, humanities, or writing intensive courses is a common requirement. Any writing intensive English courses will fulfill this requirement. Rarely, a course with a nonspecific prefix, such as FYS (First-Year Seminar), will also fulfill this requirement. Writing intensive courses in other disciplines are generally not recommended for meeting this requirement. Discuss questions and options with a pre-health advisor.
Below is a list of Mount Holyoke writing intensive English courses that have no prerequisite or require only a complete first-year seminar or ENGL-199. This may not be a complete list of all such courses:
ENGL-104, ENGL-199, ENGL-209, ENGL-249, ENGL-201, ENGL-204, ENGL-213, ENGL-214LR, ENGL-214RE, ENGL-217GE, ENGL-279, ENGL-282
Statistics: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234 or PSYCH-201
Psychology: PSYCH-100
Sociology: SOCI-123
Ethics: PHIL-181 (Medical Ethics) or another course with a substantial ethics component
If you are preparing to pursue a degree in public health, you may major in whatever you choose. Take courses across a range of disciplines that are relevant to your interests, and begin to explore programs in public health early in your college years to form a comprehensive academic plan. The individual programs will provide some guidance on how their applicants can be best prepared. All aspiring students of public health should build strong oral and written communication skills. A great list of health-related courses across the Five Colleges is available from the Five College Program in Culture, Health and Science.
More information about public health programs and their requirements is available on the ASPPH Program Finder. The ASPPH's page on All Areas of Study within public health is a good resource for learning more about public health academic and professional concentrations.
Biostatistics programs generally require college mathematics, including Calculus III and Linear Algebra. Programs may also expect some background in computer programming, statistics, and/or biological sciences. Prerequisite information from a small sampling of biostatistics programs is available here.
Environmental Health Sciences programs may require, at minimum, one year each of biology and chemistry. Physics, biochemistry, calculus and/or statistics may also be required.
Health Policy & Management programs may look for coursework in economics, accounting, business administration, or public policy.
Most programs in public health do not have set lists of prerequisite courses. Instead, they look for background in the areas most relevant to their particular area of focus.
For school-specific information on prerequisite courses, please visit the Veterinary Medical College Application Service Summary of Course Prerequisites and the Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements database (VMSAR).
While there is consistency among veterinary medical colleges for the most common requirements, less common requirements can vary significantly. It can be helpful for pre-vet students to start exploring individual vet schools very early, in order to understand how the requirements for various schools may fit together into the student's individualized program of study.
Most common requirements:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Genetics: one semester with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: one semester with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
College math: two semesters
English: two semesters
Humanities: two semesters
Social sciences: two semesters
Other common requirements (required by about 40 percent of U.S. veterinary schools):
Microbiology: one semester with lab
Organic chemistry II with lab
Upper division biomedical science electives: three semesters
Less common requirements (required by 4-10 U.S. veterinary schools):
Physiology: one semester, lab usually not required
Public speaking: one semester
Animal nutrition: one semester
Recommended (required by 1):
Cell biology: one semester
Biology courses:
For a first course: BIOL-145 or BIOL-160 or NEURO-100
For a second course: BIOL-220
Other commonly required or recommended biology courses:
Genetics: BIOL-210
Microbiology: BIOL-227
Physiology: BIOL-241
Options for upper division biomedical science electives:
BIOL-307: Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL-319: Immunology
BIOL-321: Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences--multiple options as long as they are 'biomedical'
BIOL-322: Comparative Biomechanics
BIOL-328: Human Physiology
BIOL-343: Substance Use Disorder
Other courses with approval from the veterinary medical college itself
Chemistry:
For a first course: CHEM-150 or CHEM-160
For other most commonly required courses: CHEM-202 and 231 (biochemistry majors will take 223 instead of 231)
Organic chemistry II: CHEM-302
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry majors will take BIOL-311 and BIOL-314.
Non-biochemistry majors will take CHEM-312/BIOCH-312. The lab, BIOCH-318, is optional at Mount Holyoke and required by only 1 veterinary school.
General physics:
PHYS-100 and PHYS-150 are algebra-based physics courses designed for pre-health students. Most pre-vet students take these courses to complete their physics requirement.
OR
Students majoring or minoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, pursuing the engineering Nexus, or who otherwise have a strong background in mathematics and/or a strong interest in physics, may need or choose to take PHYS-110 and PHYS-201. These courses are calculus-based. The first semester requires Calculus I as a prerequisite, and the second semester requires Calculus II.
College math:
Few vet schools require a semester of calculus, but 40% require a semester of statistics, and another 10% require one to two semesters of “college math.” Most students looking to complete these requirements for a broad group of veterinary schools will find that a semester of statistics and a semester of calculus will be the right courses. If you are considering different math courses, please speak with a pre-health advisor.
Statistics options: STAT-140, STAT-242, BIOL-234 or PSYCH-201
Calculus options: MATH-101, MATH-102, or MATH-203
Pre-calculus (acceptable for several vet programs): MATH-100QR
English:
Nearly all vet schools will require 1-2 English or writing intensive courses. We recommend completing this requirement by taking two writing intensive English courses, as they will meet the requirement for any program.
Below is a list of Mount Holyoke writing intensive English courses that have no prerequisite or require only a complete first-year seminar or ENGL-199. This may not be a complete list of all such courses:
ENGL-104, ENGL-199, ENGL-209, ENGL-249, ENGL-201, ENGL-204, ENGL-213, ENGL-214LR, ENGL-214RE, ENGL-217GE, ENGL-279, ENGL-282
Humanities and social sciences:
There are many options and much flexibility for fulfilling these requirements. Look for courses designated as humanities and social sciences that are of interest to you.
Public speaking:
COMM 260: Public Speaking at University of Massachusetts-Amherst - 3 credit course offered every semester
ENGL-248: Effective Public Speaking - half semester 2 credit course, offered every other spring -- most programs will not accept this course because it is only 2 credits.
Animal nutrition:
ANIMLSCI-332: Basic Animal Nutrition & Feeding at University of Massachusetts-Amherst