Premedicine, B.S.

Program Code: PM_BS

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

  1. attained at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average; and
  2. 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

  1. 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 2101CHEM 2121, CHEM 2131, MATH 140, MATH 141, PHYS 2111, PHYS 2121, PHYS 2131, and PHYS 2141.
  2. 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.

Prescribed Courses
HPA 101Introduction to Health Services Organization3
PHIL 432Medical and Health Care Ethics3
PSYCH 100Introductory Psychology Keystone/General Education Course3
SOC 1Introductory Sociology Keystone/General Education Course3
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
BIOL 110Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity Keystone/General Education Course4
BIOL 230WBiology: Molecules and Cells4
CHEM 110Chemical Principles I Keystone/General Education Course3
CHEM 111Experimental Chemistry I Keystone/General Education Course1
CHEM 112Chemical Principles II Keystone/General Education Course3
CHEM 113Experimental Chemistry II Keystone/General Education Course1
CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 212Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 213Laboratory in Organic Chemistry2
MATH 140Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 141Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Keystone/General Education Course4
NUTR 251Introductory Principles of Nutrition Keystone/General Education Course3
PHYS 211General Physics: Mechanics Keystone/General Education Course4
PHYS 212General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism Keystone/General Education Course4
PHYS 213General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics Keystone/General Education Course2
PHYS 214General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics Keystone/General Education Course2
Additional Courses
STAT 200Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course3-4
or STAT 250 Introduction to Biostatistics Keystone/General Education Course
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 10-8
Select 18-30 credits from program list 218-30
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 Keystone/General Education Course 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, GS, 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

  • Science Competency: Graduates will be able to apply scientific concepts from the natural and social sciences most relevant to medicine: biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology.
  • Scientific Inquiry: Graduates will be able to perform the process of science.
  • Critical Thinking & Quantitative Reasoning: Graduates will be able to use quantitative reasoning skills to analyze and interpret scientific data.
  • Communication: Graduates will be able to effectively convey information through oral and written communication.
  • Ethical Responsibility: Graduates will be able to apply ethical reasoning to problems that present within medical and bio technological scenarios and have facility with key ethical frameworks utilized in healthcare and public health.

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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 110*#†4BIOL 230W*# 4
CHEM 110*#†3CHEM 112*#†3
CHEM 111*#†1CHEM 113*#†1
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 153MATH 141B or 141*‡#†4
MATH 140B or 140*‡#†4PSYCH 1003
PSU 161 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 210*#3BIOL 240W (consult with an advisor for alternative options)4
HPA 1013CHEM 212*3
PHYS 211*4PHYS 212*4
SOC 13General Education Course 3
STAT 250 (consult with an adviser for alternative options)3Supporting course (consult with an academic advisor for options)3
 16 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BMB 401*3BIOL 472 (consult with an advisor for alternative options)*3
CHEM 213W*2BIOL 473 (consult with an advisor for alternative options)2
PHIL 4323BMB 402 (consult with an advisor for alternative options)*3
PHYS 213*2NUTR 251*†3
PHYS 214*2ENGL 202C, 202A, 202B, or 202D3
General Education Course3 
 15 14
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C3General Edcuation Course3
General Education Course 3World Langauge Level 2 (consult with an academic adviser for options)4
Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3
Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options)1Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3
World Langauge Level 1 (consult with an academic adviser for options)4400 - 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 satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. 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. for 2+2 students starting at a Commonwealth 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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 110*#†4CHEM 112*‡#†3
CHEM 110*‡#†3CHEM 113*‡#†1
CHEM 111*#†1MATH 141B or 141*‡#†4
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 153PSYCH 1003
MATH 140B or 140*‡#†4PHYS 211*4
PSU 161 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 230W*#4BIOL 240W (consult with an adviser for alternative options)4
CHEM 210*#3CHEM 212* 3
HPA 1013CHEM 213W* 2
PHYS 212*4PHYS 213* 2
SOC 13PHYS 214* 2
 General Education Course3
 17 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BMB 401* 3BIOL 472 (consult with an adviser for alternative options)* 3
PHIL 4323BIOL 473 (consult with an adviser for alternative options)* 2
STAT 2503BMB 402 (consult with an adviser for alternative options)* 3
General Education Course3NUTR 2513
Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3ENGL 202C, 202A, 202B, or 202D3
 15 14
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CAS 1003General Education Course3
General Education Course3400 - Level Supporting/Elective Course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3
World Langauge Level 1 (consult with an academic adviser for options)4World Langauge Level 2 (consult with an academic adviser for options)4
400 - Level Supporting/Elective Course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3
Supporting course (consult with an academic adviser for options)3Supporting 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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 1104BIOL 230W4
SOC 13STAT 2004
ENGL 153MATH 263
MATH 223PSYCH 1003
PSU 161 
 14 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 110
CHEM 111
4BIOL 240W4
HPA 1013CHEM 112
CHEM 113
4
PHYS 2114PHYS 2124
MATH 1404MATH 1414
 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 2103BIOL 4723
PHIL 4323BIOL 4732
PHYS 2132CHEM 212
CHEM 213W
5
PHYS 2142NUTR 2513
General Education Course3ENGL 2023
General Education Course3 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CAS 1003General Education Course3
General Education Course3World Language 2 Course4
Supporting Course3Supporting Course3
BMB 4013BMB 4023
World Language 1 Course4400-Level Supporting/Elective Course3
400-Level Supporting/Elective Course3 
 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 satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. 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