Getting Started

College: CNS

Suggested Courses for First-Year Students

Students do not receive a degree in Pre-Med or Pre-Dental Studies. CNS provides specialized advising in preparation for these professional programs while students complete an undergraduate major of their choice.

Required prerequisites:

BIOLOGY 151, BIOLOGY 152 and BIOLOGY 153 lab
CHEM 111 and 112 (if eligible according to Math Placement Exam score)
MATH 127 or 131 (Some dental schools require 1-2 semesters. Calculus requirements vary for medical schools.)
First-year students can utilize drop-in peer advising and group advising during their freshman year.
To be competitive for medical/dental schools, students should use all available academic support such as SI sessions, LRC tutoring and professor's office hours and strive for “A” grades.

Recommended General Education Courses

Psychology 100 and Sociology 110 are strongly recommended to build understanding in the Behavioral Sciences and to prepare for the MCAT exam. Some dental schools also recommend courses in the social sciences. Other relevant electives for pre-health professions majors include PHIL 164, NUTR 130 or 140, NURSING 210 or 312, CLASSICS 250.

Summary of Required Prerequisites for Medical/Dental School Admission

THIS IS NOT A MAJOR. Students should plan on selecting a major that interests them, bearing in mind that the following minimal requirements are necessary to apply to medical/dental school:

One year of Introductory Biology with lab: BIOLOGY 151, 152, 153 (or BioTAP)
(AP Biology transfers only as BIOLOGY 110)
One year of General Chemistry with lab: CHEM 111/112 or CHEM 121H/122H
(AP Chemistry scores cannot be used for dental and most medical school admission)
One year of Organic Chemistry with lab: CHEM 261, 262, 269 or CHEM 265, 266, 267, 268
One semester of Biochemistry: BIOCHEM 320 or 423
One year of Physics with lab: PHYSICS 131, 132 or PHYSICS 151, 152
(AP Physics can be used for one semester of Physics only)
One year of Math — one semester of statistics and one semester of calculus are required by medical and many dental schools; two semesters of calculus are required by some dental schools.
(AP scores are often acceptable for math requirements)

For further information, contact:
Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Advising
220 Morrill Science II
(413) 545-1969
Website: www.cns.umass.edu/advising/pre-med-pre-health