Pre-Med Course Requirements

Course Requirements Overview

This is a guide to common pre-medical course requirements.

Professional schools have a variety of prerequisites required for admission to their programs. On this page, we include information about timelines for pre-medical requirements and the options available.

  • Individual schools may require or recommend additional courses.
  • All prerequisites must be completed with a letter grade of C or higher.
  • Schools vary on Credit-by-Exam (AP/IB/CLEP) policies and preferences for prerequisites.

School requirements can change. See individual school websites and admissions guides under “Research Medical Schools Before You Apply.” We always recommend checking for any updates.

Most Texas medical schools require:

  • Biology:  Lecture – 12 hrs;  Lab – 2 hrs 
  • General Chemistry:  Lecture – 6 hrs;  Lab – 2 hrs
  • Organic Chemistry:  Lecture – 6 hrs;  Lab – 2 hrs
  • Biochemistry:  Lecture – 3 hrs
  • General Physics:  Lecture – 6 hrs;  Lab – 2 hrs
  • Math:  Statistics – 3 hrs
  • English:  Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 6 hrs

Some medical schools require humanities and social/behavioral science courses. The MCAT has a Psychology/Sociology section.  We strongly recommend taking courses in the following areas. 

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Ethics
  • Analytical problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Writing, interpersonal communications and presentation skills
  • Cultural studies
  • Spanish and other language studies relevant to your career goals
     

UT Austin Courses Typically Taken to Fulfill Requirements

Science Requirements