A core of math-dependent science courses fulfills most of the necessary undergraduate requirements for these programs. These courses also prepare you for the required entrance exams. The completion of a baccalaureate degree, in a major field of your choice, is required to gain entry into professional schools.
Recent statistics show that 63 percent of students admitted into U.S. medical schools were biology majors; 15 percent were in chemistry or physics; 11 percent in social sciences; four percent in health sciences; one percent math; and six percent scattered through a large number of other majors.
Core Biomedical/Pre-professional Science Courses at NIU
Course |
NIU Department and Number |
Credit Hours |
Corequisit (CRG) or Prerequisite (PRQ) |
Fundamentals of Cellular Biology and lab |
BIOS 208 and 210 |
4 |
CRQ: CHEM 210 and CHEM 212 and BIOS 210 |
Fundamentals of Organismal Biology and lab |
BIOS 209 and 211 |
4 |
PRQ: BIOS 208 and 210 or BIOS 103 and 105 |
Cell Biology |
BIOS 302 |
3 |
PRQ: BIOS 208, 209, 210, 211; CHEM 211 and 213 |
Molecular Biology |
BIOS 303 |
3 |
PRQ: BIOS 208, 209, 210, 211; CHEM 211 and 213 |
Genetics |
BIOS 308 |
5 |
PRQ: BIOS 208, 209, 210, 211; CHEM 211 and 213 CRQ: BIOS 209 and 211 |
Microbiology |
BIOS 313 |
4 |
PRQ: BIOS 208, 209, 210, 211; CHEM 211 and 213 |
Human Physiology |
BIOS 355 |
4 |
PRQ: BIOS 208, 209, 210, 211; CHEM 211 and 213 CRQ: PHYS 211 or PHYS 273 |
General Chemistry I and lab |
CHEM 210 and 212 |
4 |
PRQ: MATH 110, 155 or 229 or satisfactory performance on Math Placement Test; CHEM 110 or satisfactory performance on Chemistry placement test |
General Chemistry II and lab |
CHEM 211 and 213 |
4 |
PRQ: CHEM 210 and 212 |
General Organic Chemistry I and lab OR Organic Chemistry I and lab |
CHEM 330 and 332 OR CHEM 336 and 338 |
4 |
PRQ: CHEM 211 and 213 |
General Organic Chemistry II and lab OR Organic Chemistry II and lab |
CHEM 331 and 333 OR CHEM 337 and 339 |
4 |
PRQ: CHEM 330 |
General Biological Chemistry OR Biological Chemistry I |
CHEM 470/BIOS 470X OR CHEM 472 |
3 |
PRQ: CHEM 331 or 337 |
General Physics I OR Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics |
PHYS 210 OR PHYS 253 |
4 |
PRQ: MATH 155 or equivalent CRQ: MATH 229 |
General Physics II OR Fundamentals of Physics II: Electromagnetism |
PHYS 211 OR PHYS 273 |
4 |
PRQ: PHYS 210 or 253 |
Calculus I (plus any prerequisites) |
MATH 229 |
0-10 |
PRQ: MATH 155 with grade of C or better or satisfactory performance on the Mathematics Placement Examination |
Statistics |
STAT 200 |
|
PRQ: MATH 206, MATH 201, MATH 211 or MATH 229 |
Sociology and Psychology (100-level courses) Other options include: Brain and Behavior (PSYC 300) Developmental Psychology (PSYC 324) Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 345) |
4 courses |
12 |
|
Additional Recommended Courses
Different professional programs can have slightly different course requirements. Courses such as Functional Human Anatomy (BIOS 311) and Cellular Physiology (BIOS 465), and undergraduate research have proven to be relevant and useful additions to the core scientific curriculum.
Dental schools usually require psychology courses such as Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 102) and Lifespan Development: Childhood Through Adulthood (PSYC 225).
Medical schools recommend psychology and sociology courses (along with the traditional sciences) since those topics are found on the MCAT.
Optometry schools require Calculus I (MATH 229), Elementary Statistics (STAT 200), Microbiology (BIOS 313) and Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 102).
Pharmacy schools require Calculus I (MATH 229), Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 260) or Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 261), and Functional Human Anatomy (BIOS 311) or Human Anatomy (BIOS 355).
Veterinary schools usually require a Biochemistry class (CHEM 470) and Elementary Statistics (STAT 200).
Physician's assistant schools usually require Elementary Statistics (STAT 200), Medical Terminology (HSCI 318), 3000-plus patient contact hours (equivalent to a part-time employee for one year).