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University of Louisville

PRE-MED REQUIREMENTS 

Because the prospective medical student with a broad educational background profit most from the medical curriculum, preference is given to applicants with a bachelor's degree. The minimum requirement, however, is three years of college work (90 semester hours, exclusive of physical education, R.O.T.C., and technical courses). Persons applying after only three years undergraduate work are considered only under special circumstances. 

Courses in paramedical schools (such as pharmacy, nursing, optometry, medical, etc.) do not fulfill the premedical science requirements.  No more than two years of college work from a junior college will be credited for premedical requirements. Junior college credits will be applied if the course work is acceptable to the accredited 4-year college or university to which the student transferred.  Courses taken in non-accredited institutions will not be accepted unless the overall scholastic record or other qualifications of the applicant are outstanding.  Applicants who have been dismissed from other medical schools for scholastic or disciplinary reasons will not be considered.  Regardless of the number of years required for premedical training, each applicant must have the appropriate college credits in the following subjects: 

BIOLOGY: This requirement may be fulfilled by one semester of cellular biology and one semester of organismic biology. Survey courses in anatomy and physiology cannot be substituted for this requirement. 

CHEMISTRY: This requirement would ordinarily be met by a one-year course in general inorganic chemistry and a one-year course in organic chemistry. The course in organic chemistry should cover all of the major categories of organic compounds. 

PHYSICS: A one-year course in general physics, including mechanics, electricity, heat, light and sound, is required of all applicants. Specialized courses in subdisciplines cannot be substituted for any part of this requirement. 

MATHEMATICS: Entering medical students must have at least one year of mathematics at the college level or one semester of calculus (Calculus is recommended).  

ENGLISH: Prospective medical students are encouraged to take English courses beyond the one-year minimum requirement. Additional courses designed to increase speed and comprehension are suggested, for slow readers. 

A year is defined as a minimum of 32 weeks. All science courses applied to the premedical requirements must include laboratory work. Applicants must receive a letter grade for all courses required; reporting pass/fail is not acceptable.  

In selecting courses, the premedical student should be aware of the broad scope of the medical profession. The biological basis for the practice of medicine is traditional and appropriate because medicine in its technical aspects is an applied biological science. Modern medical practice also requires a working knowledge of chemistry and physics to appreciate vital processes in both health and disease. To be successful, medical students must be able to read rapidly and with understanding. They also must be able to express thoughts clearly and concisely. Premedical students should develop a solid background in the humanities, philosophy and the arts. Understanding human relationships and human nature is vital to the practice of medicine. Students are encouraged to take courses, which would be difficult to acquire after the college experience is completed. The School of Medicine seeks to admit well-rounded students with broad and diverse experiences.