Updated at: 17-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

In 2023, there will be a large influx of people interested in becoming doctors, and consequently, many of them will be looking for the best possible pre-med programs. These future doctors will be able to choose the best medical classes for their needs with the help of this Pre-med courses list.

Years of dedication, hard work, study, and starting out with the right pre-med courses are just the tip of the iceberg for the demanding journey that is becoming a medical doctor.

Many different routes must be taken before one can call themselves a doctor, but medical school is a requirement for all of them. Medical schools typically require applicants to have high GPAs, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation, as well as to have taken and passed some of the pre-med courses we will soon be listing here.

It’s no secret that medical school admissions are extremely competitive and difficult to achieve. If you want to go to medical school, you know that you need to do well academically and on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

What else, though, should you do to strengthen your application? How do I choose the best undergraduate pre-med courses? In order to help aspiring doctors choose the best pre-med courses to help them realize their goals of making a difference in the world of medicine, we have compiled a list and guide to pre-med programs. Let’s start by defining what we mean by “pre-med” classes.

Best Pre Med Courses List

Best pre med courses list

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Learning the morphology, relationships, and functions of the various human body structures in a healthy and diseased state is only possible through taking a required pre-med course in human anatomy.

Anatomy, one of the broadest areas of study in medicine, is typically taught first.

Nursing

If you want to go into medicine, nursing is a great major to pursue because of all the hands-on experience you will get even as an undergraduate. Nursing’s four main tenets—health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, and health restoration—make a pre-med degree in nursing a plus.

Psychology and Sociology

Taking courses in psychology and sociology has become increasingly common as pre-med requirements since they were added to the new MCAT.

Medical professionals can benefit from this major because it is a branch of social science that aims to shed light on the mysteries of the human mind and psyche. They help students recognize the value of emotional intelligence and work toward improving their own levels of it. The research, statistics, and service-learning courses required for a psychology degree are highly relevant to the healthcare industry, making it a top choice among pre-med students.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy

You’ve been on a regimen of vitamins and medicines since birth, either to maintain your health or to treat various conditions.

Learning about pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other related substances is the focus of the pre-medical field known as pharmacy.

To learn the steps involved in developing medicines for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease, consider enrolling in a four-year degree program.

English

As surprising as it may seem, English majors make up a sizable portion of the medical industry. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that English majors may and do make excellent doctors, as studying literature necessitates critical thinking, investigation, attention to detail, strong writing, and citation abilities. Excellent reading comprehension skills are also helpful for the MCAT. On the Top 10 List of Essential Pre-Medical Courses, this ranks high.

Mathematics

Some universities mandate statistics courses for pre-med students, while others insist on math. However, most schools mandate at least one semester of math for their students. From calculating dosage to interpreting test results, a basic understanding of mathematics and statistics comes in handy in the medical field.

Biological Sciences

More than half of those who apply to and enroll in medical school have a background in the biological sciences, reports the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It makes perfect sense that this would be the case: There is probably going to be a lot of overlap between the requirements for your major and the requirements as a pre-med in the fields of biology and related fields. Additionally, your interest in biology and health suggests that you may one day pursue a career in medicine. As a result, it makes perfect sense to focus the bulk of your academic efforts on the subject matter that most excites you.

Do not forget that there are many other options available to you within the realm of the biological sciences besides biology. Neuroscience, physiology, medical science, microbiology, zoology, and biotechnology are just some of the many science-related undergraduate programs available at today’s universities. It’s likely that any of these will be highly relevant to your future in medicine, so follow your heart.

You should also make sure to take classes outside of your major because the biological sciences place a heavy emphasis on, well, biology. Teaching only scientific concepts can be exhausting. Taking classes outside of your major will also help you develop the skills necessary to think critically across disciplines. Non-science courses can often be used to satisfy both general education and elective requirements.

You should also think about adding a minor in a field that isn’t science to your resume. This strategy can give you an edge over other applicants by allowing you to zero in on the aspects of your background that will be most useful in the medical school setting. Taking Spanish as a secondary language is highly recommended. Volunteering or working in a Spanish-speaking country is a great way for undergraduates to gain valuable clinical experience, and there are many such opportunities available. The ability to speak Spanish will also serve you well in your professional endeavors.

A foreign language

A foreign language

Pre-med requirements can also include a second language, as this is an increasingly important skill for doctors and other healthcare professionals. It broadens your horizons in terms of the types of work you can do, the types of people you can help, and the ways in which you can develop professionally.

Public Health

One of the best ways to prepare for a career in medicine is to study public health and learn about the systems and policies that govern the medical industry. Here is a list of the top ten pre-med programs for the year 2022. Students interested in becoming doctors who take this sort of course are shown a side of medicine that many of their peers never see or understand. Undergraduates can benefit greatly from establishing vital connections with hospital professionals in the areas of healthcare policy, prevention, and drug abuse through internships and other forms of collaboration.

Radiologic Technology

A radiologic technologist is trained to use imaging equipment like CAT scanners, MRIs, and X-ray machines. Radiology technologists are the medical professionals who perform imaging procedures on patients. Also included on the 2022 list of the Top 10 Pre-Medical Programs is this course. They ensure that patients are positioned properly on the laboratory equipment in order to obtain an accurate diagnostic image.

Physics, Chemistry, and Other Physical Sciences

Courses in the physical sciences often overlap with those needed for a pre-med major, just as they do in the natural sciences. The benefits and drawbacks of studying physics and chemistry are comparable to those of studying biology, despite minor differences in the required coursework.

Philosophy and the Humanities

Philosophy and the Humanities

Pre-med students tend to shy away from humanities majors because they require too many electives to fulfill all of the pre-med curriculum. You’ll need to put some thought into this, and you’ll need to have open lines of communication with your advisors. Humanities majors who go into medicine may be more sociable and well-rounded than their science-only counterparts. In the humanities, philosophy is a common choice for future doctors.

Humanities

Humanities majors make up less than 4% of all medical school entrants. If you want to stand out from the crowd when applying to medical school, a major in the humanities, such as a language, literature, or philosophy from the modern or classical periods, is a must. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to strategically plan your coursework to meet both your major and pre-med requirements. If you’re planning on applying to medical school, the admissions committee will want to see that you’ve taken some advanced science courses, even if you’re majoring in the humanities.

It’s also recommended that you think about pursuing a minor in the natural sciences. A simple method of making sure advanced science classes can be worked into your schedule is provided by this option. Science majors, especially biology and chemistry, are excellent options. It’s also important to talk to your pre-med advisor frequently about what classes you should be taking. Your advisor will keep you on track with all of the prerequisites and MCAT prep courses you need to get into medical school.

FAQs

What is the best pre-med degree?

Your pre-medical career trajectory can be positively or negatively affected by the courses you choose. You should find a college that is a good fit for you in terms of size, location, extracurriculars, and other aspects besides just having excellent pre-med advising.

Read our guide to find out what bachelor’s degree programs are the best preparation for medical school. Keep in mind that there is a wide variety of excellent pre-med programs from which to choose. You should think about everything that matters when choosing a pre-med program for the year 2023.

Is pre-med course difficult?

Getting good grades in pre-med courses while also studying for the MCAT can be challenging due to the nature of the grading curve and the fact that pre-med students are expected to demonstrate their interest in areas beyond medicine (such as, say, music).

What major is best for pre-med?

Finding the right pre-med major requires striking a balance between those majors most applicable to medical science and those that most pique your personal interest. For those intending to pursue a career in medicine, the natural sciences, particularly biology, are the most common undergraduate concentrations. However, a sizeable percentage of future doctors choose to study something other than biology, chemistry, or physics for their undergraduate degrees.

Applying to medical school while pursuing one of these alternative fields is becoming easier as schools prioritize applicants with diverse experiences. Majors in these areas will still need to take prerequisites and electives relevant to the pre-med curriculum, such as advanced science courses. A humanities major is not going to set you up for success in medical school if you don’t take any premed courses.

Do minors matter for medical school?

Minors are a great way to supplement your studies, but they usually aren’t the deciding factor in whether or not you get accepted. Having only a biology minor as your preparation for medical school is not enough. However, demonstrating your versatility by also having coursework in the humanities and social sciences can help your application stand out.

Keep in mind that there is always a cost and benefit to weighing in on any choice you make. If taking on a minor causes a significant drop in your GPA or participation in extracurricular activities, you may want to reconsider your options and focus on achieving your academic and personal goals instead. The minor is a positive addition to your application, but it probably won’t be the deciding factor.

Is psychology a pre-med major?

Recent studies have shown that the acceptance rate for students majoring in psychology is comparable to that of students majoring in biology or chemistry, both of which are common pre-med majors. However, as is the case with any pre-med major, you should always keep medical school as an end goal. There are electives you can take outside of your major that will help you stand out from the crowd and ace the MCAT.

Conclusion

There is no all-inclusive list of the best pre-med majors for future doctors. Your best bet as you begin putting together the necessary components of an outstanding medical school application is to choose a topic that interests you.

Once you know what you want to study, look for a school that offers a good pre-medical program at which you can get the guidance and support you need.