Pre-Medical Course Sequence
Coursework in genetics (BIOL 3050) and Cell Biology (BIOL 3060) is recommended. A suggested four-year sequence of Hamline courses for pre-medical students is outlined below. (Note: Premed students planning to major in Chemistry or Biochemistry should take Math 1170 and 1180 in the first year.)
First Year
Fall
Along with the first-year seminar and one elective course, students should complete:
BIOL 1800 - Principles of Ecology and Evolution (if intending to major in Biology)
CHEM 1130 - General Chemistry I
Spring
Along with one elective course, students should complete:
BIOL 1820 - Principles of Plant and Animal Physiology
CHEM 1140 - General Chemistry II
ENG 1110 - Writing and Reading Texts
Second Year
Fall
Along with one elective course, students should complete:
CHEM 3450 - Organic Chemistry I
BIOL 3050 - Principles of Genetics
MATH 1170 - Calculus I
Spring
Along with one elective course, students should complete:
CHEM 3460 - Organic Chemistry II
BIOL 3060 - Principles of Cell Biology
and one approved statistics or mathematics course:
ECON 1330 - Statistics
MATH 1180 - Calculus II
MATH 1200 - Statistics and Data Analysis
PSY 1340 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Third Year
Fall
Along with major and elective courses, students should complete:
PHYS 1230 - General Physics I
BIOC 3820 - Biochemistry I
Spring
Along with major and elective courses, students should complete:
PHYS 1240 General Physics II
Fourth Year
Fall
Students should complete major and elective courses
Spring
Students should complete major and elective courses
Choice of major
Pre-medical students may choose from any of Hamline’s major fields. While many pre-medical students declare a major in biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, Hamline students who combine the required pre-medical coursework with a major in another area (e.g., philosophy or psychology) have been equally successful in gaining admission into medical school.
Application procedure
Ideally, students should complete the pre-medical core of studies by the end of their third year. In the third year, students take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Also at that time, students begin the process of submitting required materials to the Hamline pre-medical committee for their medical school application file. Students must select the schools to which they wish to apply, must secure 4-5 letters of reference from faculty and others, and must compose their personal statement, describing their genuine commitment to the medical profession. Success in gaining entrance to medical school is enhanced by several factors: (1) a high cumulative grade point average; (2) a high MCAT score; (3) indication of personal strengths, social and communication skills; and (4) commitment toward a medical career (as evidenced by participation in medically related extracurricular and volunteer activities).