Pre-Medical

petri dishesBiology Major

Pre-Medical Professions Concentration

The Pre-Medical Professions concentration serves students interested in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.  Upper-level courses such as Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Cell & Molecular Biology provide advanced contend and skill training. The course sequence in this concentration provides the foundational knowledge necessary to score well on the MCAT and GRE and to succeed in a variety of professional programs. 


Requirements

  • four pre-med students in lab coats

    BIOL 101 Biology Seminar for Majors (1 cr)

  • BIOL 150 Introduction to Biology I: Cells  (4 cr)

  • BIOL 160 Introduction to Biology II: Organisms (4 cr)

  • BIOL 240 Genetics (4 cr)

  • BIOL 302 Applied Statistics in Biology (1 cr)

  • BIOL 320 Microbiology (4 cr)

  • BIOL 342 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 cr)

  • BIOL 343 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 cr)

  • BIOL 360 Biochemistry (3 cr)

  • BIOL 480 Cell & Molecular Biology (4 cr)

  • Biology Upper Level Elective (3 cr)

  • CHEM 150 Introduction to Chemistry I (4 cr)

  • CHEM 152 Introduction to Chemistry II (4 cr)

  • CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 cr)

  • CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 cr)

  • PHYS 131 General Physics I  (4 cr)

  • PHYS 132 General Physics II (4 cr)

  • MATH 232 Introduction to Statistics (3 cr)  or MATH 232H Honors: Introduction to Statistics
    Total Credits: 63

 

MCLA in 4

MCLAin4 LogoA sample 4-year plan showing a possible sequence of courses in this concentration.


 

Articulation Agreement

You can simultaneously complete your senior year of undergraduate study and your first year of podiatric medicine at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM)

Strong students who have met the requirements outlined in the articulation agreement can simultaneously complete their senior year of undergraduate study and first year of podiatric medicine at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. MCLA counts credits from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine toward the B,S. in Biology.


Internships and Professional Experience

Students can shadow physicians and dentists at local hospitals and medical/dental offices, be trained to work as medical scribes at local emergency rooms, and be trained to work as pharmacy technicians at local pharmacies.  Internships may be designed that combine clinical observation with academic projects.

Students have the opportunity to conduct research with faculty in the biology and chemistry departments, and motivated students are encouraged to apply for off-campus research opportunities, such as Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs. Strong students may also be invited to serve as teaching assistants, conducting tutorials or assisting with labs in the department.


Certification/Application Test

Students interested in medical programs must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and those interested in dentistry programs must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Students interested in pharmacy programs must take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Students interested in graduate school should plan to take the GRE’s general test and biology subject test.  Study materials for these examinations are provided in the Biology department.


Advising and the Advisory Committee

A faculty advisor will meet with each student at least once per semester; in addition, the MCLA pre-medical advisory committee will provide information and, as appropriate, recommendation letters for students in this concentration.  Information about prerequisites for medical, dental, pharmacy and veterinary programs is provided to enrolled students on the departmental Canvas page.


Careers & Outcomes

We currently have two biology graduates enrolled in medical programs, two biology graduates in a Doct or of Pharmacy program, and several biology graduates working in hospitals.