Pre-Medicine
More than ever, healthcare institutions value well-rounded, educated doctors with strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of societal factors at work in the profession. A quality, multidisciplinary Wheaton liberal arts education will give you that edge. If medical school is in your plans, choose the academic track in pre-medicine. Wheaton will provide the groundwork for a career as a physician through extensive coursework in biology, chemistry, math, biochemistry, physics, psychology, sociology and writing. The program also includes access to state-of-the-art laboratories, faculty mentors, and career guidance every step of the way.
Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO)
Consult the Pre-Health Faculty Advisor for the right sequence of courses for you.
Courses required by the majority of medical schools
Three Biology courses
Bio 114: Introduction to the Biological Sciences
And two from:
Bio 211: Genetics
Bio 219: Cell Biology
Bio 221: Microbiology
Bio 203: Anatomy and Physiology I
Bio 204: Anatomy and Physiology II
Note: some medical schools require specific biology courses beyond these.
Four Chemistry courses
Chem 153: Chemical Principles
Chem 253: Organic Chemistry I
Chem 254: Organic Chemistry II
Chem 232: Aqueous Equilibria
One Biochemistry course
Bio 305: Biochemistry
Note: Course prerequisites for Bio 305: Biochemistry that must be completed before taking the course: Chem 254 and Bio 211 (Genetics) or Bio 219 (Cell Biology) or Bio221 (Microbiology)
Two Physics courses
Phys 170: Introductory Physics I
Phys 171: Introductory Physics II
One Mathematics course
Math 101: Calculus I
Note: some medical schools require two mathematics courses. Select MD programs currently require Calculus (Required for biochemistry, chemistry, economics, mathematics, physics majors) OR Math 141: Statistics (Required for bioinformatics, business/management, economics, neuroscience, psychology majors)
Two English courses
Eng 101: Writing
One English literature class: 200-level or above
Two Social Science courses (Psychology and Sociology)
Psy 101: Introductory Psychology
Select one of the following:
Soc 101: Introduction to Sociology
Soc 191: Self and Society
Medical School Curricular Path: Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) (pdf)
Pre-Health Faculty Advising
Working with a dedicated Pre-Health Faculty Advisor, students interested in pre-health can expect individualized curricular sequencing guidance, career advice and coaching, and pre-application support for graduate and medical schools. Pre-health career students can also access a wide array of internship and shadowing opportunities that are regularly shared by the Pre-Health Faculty Advisor.
Students applying to pre-health graduate programs receive graduate school selection guidance and support, personal statement guidance, interview preparation, feedback on application materials, and testing guidance and testing preparation for GRE/MCAT/DAT/PCAT.
Medical school applicants are supported at Wheaton College through the Pre-Health Advisor and the work of an interdisciplinary committee of staff and faculty. Wheaton College’s Pre-Health Advisor is Hilary Gaudet, Ph.D.
WheaGo Global
The WheaGo Global First-Semester Study Abroad program kick-starts your college career in one of the world’s great cities, immersed in an exciting cultural adventure and focused on your top academic interests.