Below is a table listing the required pre-med and recommended upper-level science courses at the University of Louisville. The pre-med curriculum for the University of Louisville School of Medicine may vary from other schools of interest. If you are considering additional schools, please refer to them directly. 

• The required courses are your first priority.
• The recommended upper-level science courses are optional. They help prepare you for the MCAT or the medical school curriculum. Recommended classes may also be taken to meet your 30 credit hour minimum requirement to complete the program or to boost your grades.
• Keep in mind that most students must take more than 30 credit hours to complete all the required courses in biology, chemistry, and physics (see below). Some students also need to complete the English requirement if it was not taken while in undergrad.
• All coursework must be taken at the University of Louisville while in the program. For a schedule of course offerings for the current or upcoming semester, please click Schedule of Classes.

Note: If you have some pre-med-level coursework from a previous institution, it will be considered if it is equivalent to our course requirements. However, it will not count towards your post-bac hours or GPA in the program.

Biology

PLEASE NOTE: Bio 242 - Diversity of Life is optional for post-bacs in our program. Traditional students and regular post-bacs are to take the full sequence: Bio 240, 241, 242, and 243. Bio 329 is listed as a pre-med requirement for U of L students, and the biology sequence is indicated. It is strongly recommended for MCAT prep.

Bio 244—Principles of Biology Lab (2 credit hours) is now split into two separate 1 credit hour labs: Bio 241—Experimental Biology 1 and Bio 243—Experimental Biology 2. Post-bacs in our program are required to take it or may substitute Bio 331—Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab (2 credit hours). Regarding the lab substitute, undergraduates and regular post-bacs should consult with their academic advisor or a pre-med advisor.

Please note: The U of L School of Medicine no longer requires organic chemistry labs. 

Physics

Please note: The U of L School of Medicine no longer requires math, but recommends statistics.

Biochemistry

Select one of the following biochemistry courses.

English

Please note: Two semesters of an English course or one semester of an English course and another                                              semester of a Writing Intensive Course meets the requirement.

Total Credit Hours

Pre-med Science Courses Only (includes biology, chemistry and physics) = 32-43 Hours
Please note: Math and organic chemistry labs are no longer required.  Statistics is recommended. If taken, it will count in your BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics, math) GPA for the program.

Credit Hours Breakdown

• Biology: 8-11 
• Chemistry: 18 *Includes Biochemistry 
• Physics: 8
• English: 6 *If not already taken

Recommended upper-level science courses

As a pre-medical student, in addition to your required courses, there are some highly recommended upper-level science courses that you can take. These courses are optional. If you are coming into the program with at least 12 hours of required pre-medical courses completed, the recommended upper-level science courses listed below can help you meet the 30-credit-hour minimum at U of L if necessary.  

*Helpful course for the MCAT
** A helpful course for the medical school curriculum

Biology