Pre-Medicine 2016-2017
Practicing physicians have either a Medical Doctor degree (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy degree (DO). Both programs require four years of study after completion of the undergraduate degree, followed by two to seven years of residency and post- graduate training. The median salary for Physicians in 2014 was $187,200, with a wide range depending on specialty, and the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the number of jobs in medicine will grow much faster than average through 2024.
With very few exceptions, medical schools require incoming students to have completed an undergraduate degree before beginning their programs. Most medical schools require a small number of pre-requisite science courses, listed below, but most recommend (and some require) additional natural science, mathematics, and social sciences as well. Interested students are encouraged to thoroughly research schools of choice. Curriculum Guide Required Coursework* St. John Fisher Courses 1 year of Biology BIOL 120, BIOL 127L: General Biology BIOL 128: Zoology 1 year of General Chemistry CHEM 103/103L, CHEM 104/104L 1 year of Organic Chemistry CHEM 201/201L, CHEM 202/202L 1 semester of Biochemistry CHEM 408
1 year of Physics PHYS 121, PHYS 122 OR PHYS 131, PHYS 132 * A “C” grade is required in all pre-requisites. A competitive GPA is 3.6 for MD programs Strongly recommended courses include Psychology, Sociology, Genetics, and Statistics. Required Pre-Professional Exam Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT includes content from Biology, General and Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology, and Critical Analysis Students typically take the MCAT in spring of the Junior year or the following summer. Tests are available on specific dates throughout January-September. Clinical Experience Must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the field via shadowing, volunteering experiences and/or employment.
Additional Information: American Association of Medical College (https://students-residents.aamc.org/) American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (www.aacom.org)
Health Professions Advisor: Virginia Borden Maier [email protected] 585-385-7394