Curriculum
Overview
Although a good many Haverford students go on to medical school after graduation, Haverford has no “pre-medical curriculum” as such. The minimum requirements of most medical schools are not many. They are usually those set by law of licensure to practice medicine: a year of biology, a year of physics and two years of chemistry. Many medical schools require a full year of English and some require mathematics, biochemistry or psychology.
Students from Haverford who enter medical schools have graduated with a great variety of majors — Philosophy, Spanish, English and several others of which the most common are, as might be expected, Biology and Chemistry. Those pre-medical students interested in medical research as a career usually major in biology, chemistry or physics. Your choice of majors should be determined by your interest, ability and enthusiasm for the department of your choice as it exists here at Haverford. This choice is made at the end of your sophomore year.
Since medicine is a science at least as much as an art and is becoming increasingly scientific, it is essential, whether or not you major in a science, for you to do well in whatever science courses you do take. Do not be misled into thinking that proficiency in other areas can compensate for a lack of basic scientific competence, so take your science courses only when you are ready to do your best work in them.
On the other hand, the social aspects of medicine, such as problems in community medicine, health care management, ethics, public health and the delivery of medical care to low income groups, are increasingly recognized as important areas in the field of medicine. Pre-medical students at Haverford interested in these aspects of medicine might wish to major or minor in a department in the division of social sciences or in the humanities.
In the freshman year you must plan a course schedule which preserves enough flexibility so that you can make the best choice of a major at the end of the sophomore year. Your program should therefore be worked out carefully with your advisor. No matter how firmly your heart may be set on medicine at this time, try to keep an open mind about the future. New experiences may open up new vistas to change your ideas and not everyone who wishes to gain admission to medical school succeeds. Remember, the beginning science courses are rigorous. If you are not committed to work hard in them freshman year, and wish to explore other fields, don’t hesitate to wait a year before taking chemistry. There is no rush to “get pre-med requirements out of the way.” It is much more important to take them when you are best prepared and can do well.
Michele Taylor is the pre-medical advisor. Her office is Campus Center, 212. Telephone 896-1148.
Medical schools require that the Medical College Admission Test be taken as one of the criteria for admission. In most cases this test is taken during the spring of the junior year. Application will be available early in the second semester of the junior year. Applications to medical school are made in the summer between junior and senior year if you wish to enter in the fall after Haverford graduation.
Information for Pre-Medical students and their advisors
ALL ENTERING PRE-MEDICAL STUDENTS SHOULD DISCUSS THEIR PROGRAMS WITH A MEMBER OF THE BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, OR PHYSICS DEPARTMENTS, IN ADDITION TO THEIR REGULAR ADVISORS.
A. Undergraduate Courses in the Basic Sciences
Medical schools vary somewhat in undergraduate science course requirements (see Medical School Admissions Requirements, published by the Association of American Medical Colleges), but a typical pattern is:
| DEPARTMENT | SUGGESTED HAVERFORD COURSES |
| Chemistry (with lab): 4 Sem. | Chem 100a/101b (105), 220a/221b, 301a, 302b (or Bio 300a) |
| Biology (with lab): 2 Sem. | Biology 200a, 200b. Note that Organic must be taken previous to, or concurrently with, Bio 200 |
| Physics (with lab): 2 Sem. | Physics 101a, 102b or 105b, 106b |
Pre-medical students are advised to complete required science courses before the senior year if they wish to apply for entry to medical school right after Haverford. Although medical schools do not all absolutely require calculus, we highly recommend that students who are interested in keeping a science career option open also take a full year of calculus their first year (Math 113 and 114 + 116), or its equivalent AP credit or placement. For students who do not place out of Math 113, it is recommended to take it in the fall (for strong math students) or the intensive spring version 113b (for those students who need more help). For second semester options, Math 115 is a traditional calculus course for Math majors, 116 is calculus with orientation towards Probability and Statistics useful for research and medicine and 117 is multivariable calculus especially useful for Economics and Chem majors. Facility with using computers is important for medicine as well.
Students interested in medical research should seriously consider taking advanced courses in the Biology, Chemistry or Physics Departments. Chemistry placement tests help students decide which Chemistry course to select- either 100/101 or the advanced 105 second semester. A semester of Biochemistry(Bio300a) or Chemistry Superlab (301a) fills out the requirement in the latter case. Biochemistry is also fulfilled by Bio 200b. Many medical schools require a full year of English or intensive writing course in the Humanities. Since proficiency in a language is a College requirement for graduation, students are encouraged to fulfill it as soon as possible. Note that first year languages frequently conflict with the time slot of Biology 200, which most pre-medical students take as sophomores. Students may also take science courses at Bryn Mawr or in the summer if absolutely necessary. In circumstances under which a change from these courses is desirable, students should be careful to seek advice from Michele Taylor or members of the Pre-Medical Committee.
Below we offer two possible programs for the first two or three years. There are many other options. Come see Michele Taylor to discuss other possibilities you might wish to consider.
I. Students with typical science preparation:
| Freshman Year | Sophomore Year | Junior Year |
| Chem 100a, 100b | Chem 220a, 221b | Physics 101a, 102b |
| Math as placed | Bio 200a, 200b |
II. Students with strong science preparation, likely Chem, Bio or Physics major:
| Freshman Year | Sophomore Year | Junior Year |
| Math 114+116 | Chem 220a, 221b | Bio 300a or Chem301a |
| Chem 105b* | Bio 200a, 200b | Phys101a, 102b or |
| Physics 101a, 102b or | 105a, 106b, if not | |
| 105a, 106b** | taken previously | |
| Freshman English | ||
| Language, if necessary |
*For possible Chem major with very strong science preparation, Chem 220a, 221b. These few students will need two more Chem courses with lab. Bio 300 may be one.
**For possible Physics major, Phys 105, 106 and Math 116 or 117 after consult with Physics Dept.
We should emphasize that the whole pre-medical program can be postponed a year, or spread out more evenly over the four years of college. However, under these circumstances, it may be best to apply to medical school at the end of senior year. This is an option that has been successfully employed by a large number of students, and is now common for almost half the matriculants nationwide. Some have chosen to defer for a year, even after getting in. Others enjoy studying abroad in their junior year. It is an option, also, to take science course work at summer school or at Bryn Mawr, especially for non-science majors. Come see Michele Taylor to discuss these options.
Since a few medical schools require other science courses, the student should examine the booklet, Medical School Admission Requirements, for the exact requirements of the medical schools in which he/she is interested. A copy is available in the science library as well as the Pre-Med Office in Campus Center, 212 or at aamc.org on the web.