At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
This major provides a broad foundation necessary to the understanding of the basic subjects of modern medical studies. The curriculum, which offers a good balance between science and nonscience courses, constitutes an excellent preparation for admission to medical school. It also gives students the freedom to tailor the program to meet their individual needs by permitting a generous number of supporting courses. Specific admission requirements or recommendations of a particular medical school, not already in the required courses of the major, may be included among the supporting courses. Many students also use their supporting courses to pursue a minor.
What is Premedicine?
The Premedicine major is designed to enable students to gain a strong science foundation in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biology, as well as breadth in ethics and social science, that is necessary for advanced study in the field of medicine. The Premedicine major has a life science focus but integrates knowledge and practices across multiple disciplines to prepare students to think deeply and critically.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You like and are interested in studying several areas of science.
- You want to gain in-depth knowledge in core science disciplines.
- You want to use your science expertise to work and make a difference with people.
- You aspire to a clinical career in medicine.
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to the Premedicine major, a student must have
- attained at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average; and
- completed BIOL 110, BIOL 230W, CHEM 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, CHEM 210, MATH 140, MATH 141 and earned a grade of C or better in each of these courses.
Three-Year Alternative
A student may also become eligible for the Bachelor of Science degree in this major upon satisfactory completion of
- A total of 96 credits, including General Education credits in Writing/Speaking, Health Sciences and Physical Education, and Arts, Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences; 8 credits in a single foreign language; BIOL 110, BIOL 230W, CHEM 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, CHEM 2101, CHEM 2121, CHEM 2131, MATH 140, MATH 141, PHYS 2111, PHYS 2121, PHYS 2131, and PHYS 2141.
- The first year of an accredited medical or dental postgraduate program.
- 1
A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Premedicine, a minimum of 126 credits is required, with at least 18 credits at the 400 level:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Requirements for the Major | 105 |
24 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses; 3 credits of GHW courses.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| HPA 101 | Introduction to Health Services Organization | 3 |
| PHIL 432 | Medical and Health Care Ethics | 3 |
| PSYCH 100 | Introductory Psychology  | 3 |
| SOC 1 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| BIOL 110 | Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIOL 230W | Biology: Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | Experimental Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | Chemical Principles II | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Experimental Chemistry II | 1 |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 212 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 213 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry | 2 |
| MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| NUTR 251 | Introductory Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 213 | General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 214 | General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics | 2 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | 3-4 |
| or STAT 250 | Introduction to Biostatistics | |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Biology: Populations and Communities | ||
| Biology: Function and Development of Organisms | ||
| Introductory Microbiology and Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates | ||
| Histology | ||
| Human Physiology and Laboratory in Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Medical Microbiology and Medical Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Select 5-6 credits from the following: | 5-6 | |
| Molecular Biology of the Gene | ||
| General Biochemistry | ||
| General Biochemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry - Thermodynamics and Physical Chemistry - Quantum Chemistry | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 0-8 credits in a foreign language 1 | 0-8 | |
| Select 18-30 credits from program list 2 | 18-30 | |
- 1
Proficiency demonstrated by examination or coursework to the level of the second semester; if fewer than 8 credits are needed to reach the required proficiency, students choose selections from program list to total 8 credits.
- 2
A maximum of 12 credits of Independent Study [296, 496] may be applied toward credits for graduation. Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GHW, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Program Learning Objectives
- Builds foundation in living systems and human behavior; applies knowledge and skill related to molecular and macro systems including biological organisms, biochemical reactions, and physical foundations of biological systems; applies knowledge of the self, others, and social systems related to the psychological, socio-cultural, and/or biological factors that influence health and well-being.
- Implement critical analysis and reasoning skills across academic disciplines; demonstrates critical and creative thinking and use the scientific approach to solve problems of biological, chemical, and physical nature; demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of information in the scientific literature; distinguish scientific and healthcare-related literature from other sources and discriminate among scientific claims presented in a variety of sources based on the strength of evidence; formulate and defend one’s own scholarly opinion based on reading, interpreting, and synthesizing scientific literature; apply quantitative reasoning and appropriate mathematics to collect, organize, and/or explain scientific data.
- Develops facility in the language of science to participate in scientific discourse; listens effectively; adapts language and communication for lay and professional audiences in both written and oral formats; works collaboratively with others to solve biological, health, and interdisciplinary problems; shares information and knowledge with others and provides feedback; and/or participates in peer-review/revising processes; prioritizes team goals over individual goals.
- Demonstrates an awareness of others’ needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples’ interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors and communication appropriately; develops and demonstrates ethical and moral reasoning; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and acts on the obligation to inform one’s own judgment; and/or examines ethical, political, and social issues in the research, implementation, and practice of medicine, medical technologies, and healthcare.
- Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance; sets goals for continuous improvement (growth mindset); engages in reflective practice; responds to and appropriately integrates feedback; and/or actively seeks opportunities for personal and professional development to reinforce cultural humility, diverse perspectives, ethical considerations, content integration, communication and interpersonal skills, and thinking and reasoning.
*Built to align with the AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Melissa Krajcovic
Director, Science Premedicine Majors
225B Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7620
muk519@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2023-24 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contains suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Premedicine, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 110*#† | 4 | BIOL 230W*# | 4 |
| CHEM 110*#† | 3 | CHEM 112*#† | 3 |
| CHEM 111*#† | 1 | CHEM 113*#† | 1 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15 | 3 | MATH 141B or 141*‡#† | 4 |
| MATH 140B or 140*‡#† | 4 | PSYCH 100† | 3 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210*# | 3 | BIOL 240W (consult with an advisor for alternative options) | 4 |
| HPA 101 | 3 | CHEM 212* | 3 |
| PHYS 211* | 4 | PHYS 212* | 4 |
| SOC 1† | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| STAT 250 (consult with an adviser for alternative options) | 3 | Supporting course (consult with an academic advisor for options) | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BMB 401* | 3 | BIOL 472 (consult with an advisor for alternative options)* | 3 |
| CHEM 213W* | 2 | BIOL 473 (consult with an advisor for alternative options) | 2 |
| PHIL 432 | 3 | BMB 402 (consult with an advisor for alternative options)* | 3 |
| PHYS 213* | 2 | NUTR 251*† | 3 |
| PHYS 214* | 2 | ENGL 202C, 202A, 202B, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C‡ | 3 | General Edcuation Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | World Langauge Level 2 (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 4 |
| Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 | Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 |
| Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 1 | Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 |
| World Langauge Level 1 (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 4 | 400 - Level Supporting/Elective Course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 |
| 400 - Level Supporting/Elective Course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 126 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Foreign language proficiency must be demonstrated to the level of the second semester; if fewer than 8 credits are needed to reach the required proficiency, students choose electives from the Program list to total 8 credits.
Premedicine, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 110*#† | 4 | CHEM 112*‡#† | 3 |
| CHEM 110*‡#† | 3 | CHEM 113*‡#† | 1 |
| CHEM 111*#† | 1 | MATH 141B or 141*‡#† | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | PSYCH 100† | 3 |
| MATH 140B or 140*‡#† | 4 | PHYS 211* | 4 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 230W*# | 4 | BIOL 240W (consult with an adviser for alternative options) | 4 |
| CHEM 210*# | 3 | CHEM 212* | 3 |
| HPA 101 | 3 | CHEM 213W* | 2 |
| PHYS 212* | 4 | PHYS 213* | 2 |
| SOC 1† | 3 | PHYS 214* | 2 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BMB 401* | 3 | BIOL 472 (consult with an adviser for alternative options)* | 3 |
| PHIL 432 | 3 | BIOL 473 (consult with an adviser for alternative options)* | 2 |
| STAT 250 | 3 | BMB 402 (consult with an adviser for alternative options)* | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | NUTR 251† | 3 |
| Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 | ENGL 202C, 202A, 202B, or 202D‡ | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100‡ | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | 400 - Level Supporting/Elective Course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 |
| World Langauge Level 1 (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 4 | World Langauge Level 2 (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 4 |
| 400 - Level Supporting/Elective Course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 | Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 |
| Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 | Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 3 |
| Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options) | 1 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 126 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Foreign language proficiency must be demonstrated to the level of the second semester; if fewer than 8 credits are needed to reach the required proficiency, students choose Supporting Course to total 8 credits.
ALEKS Placement into MATH 22: Premedicine, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 110 | 4 | BIOL 230W | 4 |
| SOC 1 | 3 | STAT 200 | 4 |
| ENGL 15 | 3 | MATH 26 | 3 |
| MATH 22 | 3 | PSYCH 100 | 3 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 110 & CHEM 111 | 4 | BIOL 240W | 4 |
| HPA 101 | 3 | CHEM 112 & CHEM 113 | 4 |
| PHYS 211 | 4 | PHYS 212 | 4 |
| MATH 140 | 4 | MATH 141 | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210 | 3 | BIOL 472 | 3 |
| PHIL 432 | 3 | BIOL 473 | 2 |
| PHYS 213 | 2 | CHEM 212 & CHEM 213W | 5 |
| PHYS 214 | 2 | NUTR 251 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ENGL 202 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CAS 100 | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | World Language 2 Course | 4 |
| Supporting Course | 3 | Supporting Course | 3 |
| BMB 401 | 3 | BMB 402 | 3 |
| World Language 1 Course | 4 | 400-Level Supporting/Elective Course | 3 |
| 400-Level Supporting/Elective Course | 3 | ||
| 19 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 126 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Career Paths
Penn State students who complete the BS in Premedicine become physicians, medical research scientists, or enter related medical professions including dentistry, optometry, or podiatry.
Careers
Graduates of the Premedicine major typically either move directly into a post-graduate healthcare school – medicine (MD or DO) is most common - or take a gap period to broaden and enrich their relevant non-academic experiences.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Sometimes students in the Premedicine major desire a meaningful post-graduate research experience before entering a professional curriculum. The balanced science components in this major prepare students well for graduate studies in medically-related fields of research.
Professional Resources
Contact
University Park
PREMEDICINE MAJOR PROGRAM OFFICE
230 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7620
muk519@psu.edu
https://science.psu.edu/interdisciplinary-programs/premedicine