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Home > College Offices > Career Development Center > Graduate and Professional School > Health Professions > Undergraduate Planning > Selecting Courses
Selecting Courses
Requirements are not uniform throughout each profession and may vary considerably from school to school. Thus, it is important to review the requirements of specific programs that you intend to apply to.
Most schools require a strong background in the sciences as well as English and social sciences. Many also require first-hand experience in the field through volunteer work, jobs, and/or internships. Research experience is also considered very important. Even if you are not a science major, doing research in your discipline will provide evidence for your analytical abilities and capacity for completing long-range projects.
While requirements vary, health professions schools typically expect the applicant to have the following minimum academic preparation: one year of biology, one year of inorganic (general) chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics (all of these with lab), one year of English (writing), and one year of math/statistics.
Some programs have additional prerequisites. For example, veterinary schools often require microbiology, biochemistry, and animal nutrition, whereas nursing and physical therapy programs require courses in anatomy and physiology.
Recommended Courses
The Mount Holyoke Committee on the Health Professions recommendations for these courses are: Introductory Biology, 2 semesters with lab
Bio 150f/145f/160f and Bio 200s. Any section of 145 or 150 offered with a laboratory is suitable. Bio 160f is an integrated Biology-Chemistry course that can be taken in lieu of 150/145 and Chem 101. If you wish to major in biology, you are advised to take Chemistry 101 in your first year, concurrently with introductory biology. If Chemistry 101 must wait, take it in the fall of your second year, as it is required for a second-year biology course for biology majors (Bio 210).
General Chemistry, 2 semesters with lab
Chemistry 101f (or Chem-Bio 160f) and Chemistry 201s. Those with a strong background in chemistry may place out of Chemistry 101 and take an advanced course (such as physical chemistry) as the second in a two-course sequence in general chemistry. General Chemistry is prerequisite for Organic Chemistry, as well as for Biology 210.
Organic Chemistry, 2 semesters with lab
Chemistry 202f and Chemistry 302s. Organic Chemistry is prerequisite for Biochemistry.
Introductory Physics, 2 semesters with lab
Physics 103f and 204s or Physics 115fs and Physics 216fs . Physics 103f and 204s are designed specifically for premed students (they do not involve calculus and they cover the range of topics likely to appear on the MCAT). Physics 115 and Physics 216 also meet the requirements for medical school, are designed to form the foundation for a major in physics, and use calculus.
English, 2 semesters
English 101fs and English 200fs or English 200fs and any English 200-level writing course. Many schools require two semesters of English writing, and all schools expect demonstrated proficiency in written English.
Mathematics & Statistics
Most schools require one semester of calculus, some require two, and some indicate that statistics can be substituted for one semester of calculus. The Mathematics Department’s online self-assessment will help you choose a best first course in mathematics.
- Those with no prior calculus background take Calculus I: Math 101fs
- Those desiring precalculus take enriched Calculus I: Math 100Af and 100Bs
- For students with calculus experience who want Calculus II: Math 201fs
- For those wishing to take Statistics: Stat 240f
Biochemistry
Biochemistry 311f is very strongly recommended, and sometimes required by certain programs. Note that our Biochemistry 311 requires Biology 210 and Chemistry 302, which in practice means that you must have completed Chemistry 101-201-202-302 before taking Biochemistry 311.
Social and behavioral sciences
Some health professions schools recommend or even require coursework in the social and behavioral sciences. Consider courses in the categories of Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Medical Sociology, Medical Ethics, and Medical Anthropology.
Courses not offered on the MHC campus
Some health professions programs recommend (or require) courses (such as Anatomy and Animal Nutrition) which may not be offered on the MHC campus, but which you can take elsewhere in the Five-College system. Be familiar with course requirements and offerings, and plan accordingly.
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