Prerequisites Courses | School of Medicine

  • Biochemistry 423 ONLY
  • Both Biochemistry 445 and 446
  • Both Chemistry 421 and 425

For prerequisite biochemistry courses taken in institutions other than UNM, to be successful in medical school, it is recommended that the course(s) include the study of molecules and metabolic reactions that take place within the cell and how these reactions are regulated by physiology. Course work should emphasize fundamental biochemical principles that maintain normal homeostasis in humans which requires learning cellular integration of biochemical pathways, regulatory mechanisms that control intermediary metabolism and how physiologic signals determine pathway utilization. Molecular structures and how they relate to function, enzyme kinetics and bioenergetics are also fundamental. Specific topics include:

  1. Bioenergetics, Catalysis
  2. Protein Structure/Function
  3. Membranes and Signal Transduction
  4. Molecular Biology (replication, transcription, translation, regulation of gene expression, methods)
  5. Carbohydrate Metabolism (both catabolism and anabolism for all)
  6. Lipid Metabolism
  7. Nitrogen-containing Compounds Metabolism
  8. Bioenergetics (again) and Hormonal Control

Other Recommended Courses

Anatomy & Physiology
Molecular Genetics

Microbiology
Human Genetics

Immunology
Advanced Biochemistry

Developmental Biology
Psychology or Sociology

plus icon 2  Pre-Med Coursework Documentation Form

All of the prerequisites, except for organic chemistry labs (both I and II) and biochemistry, must be completed prior to the submission of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application. The organic chemistry labs and biochemistry prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation. For accepted applicants, all prerequisite grades must be posted to the transcripts by June 30th of the matriculating year.

All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a letter grade of C or better (C- is not acceptable) and must be earned at colleges and universities recognized by one of the U.S. Regional Accrediting Agencies. Pass/Fail (CR/NC) grading is not accepted. Advance Placement and International Baccalaureate credit will be accepted for introductory Biology, Chemistry or Physics ONLY if college credit was granted by the institute. College Level Examination Program credit will be accepted as long as the applicant has the sufficient number of semester hours to fulfill the required prerequisites.

Accepted applicants are required to complete all degree programs listed on the AMCAS application prior to medical school matriculation. This includes undergraduate bachelor degrees and advanced master and doctoral degrees. All degrees must be conferred on the official transcripts by June 30th, prior to medical school matriculation. Any accepted applicants with a degree completion date after matriculation will be required to defer matriculation to the following year in order to complete pending degree.

Foreign national applicants who would like to be considered for admission to the UNM School of Medicine are expected to have the equivalent of at least two years of full-time undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited college or university in the United States, and to have all the same required course prerequisites.

Online Coursework

We will consider prerequisite lectures/labs that were converted to online during the Spring 2020 semester. Additionally, we will continue to permit online lectures/labs through Spring 2023. Please note, however, that we highly encourage applicants to take classes in person. Please refer to the Covid-19 Update page for more information.

Accreditation

All prerequisite coursework must be earned at colleges and universities recognized by one of the U.S. Regional Accrediting Agencies:

  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC-ACCJC)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-ACSCU)