Medicine

Advisers: Joyce Azevedo, Aaron Corbit, Ann Foster, Brent Hamstra, Lucinda Hill, David Nelsen, Rick Norskov, Rhonda Scott, Keith Snyder, Ben Thornton, Tim Trott

Secondary school students who look forward to a career in medicine are advised to include as many mathematics and science courses during their high school years as possible.

Most applicants complete a Bachelor’s Degree prior to entrance into medical school. Applicants for admission to medical schools such as the Loma Linda University School of Medicine should maintain a grade point average of at least 3.50 in both science and non-science courses.

Applicants are also encouraged to obtain experience where they are directly involved in the providing of health care. The Biology Department collaborates with Chattanooga’s Erlanger Medical Center in a premedical preceptorship program. This program provides the opportunity for upper division pre-medical students to shadow resident physicians in the hospital.

The applicant is required to have taken the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) prior to consideration by the admissions committee. For entrance into medical school following graduation, the student should plan on taking the MCAT by September of the senior year. However, earlier applications get better results. All of the below required science courses should be completed by this time to insure maximum performance on the MCAT exam. To register for specific dates, see the aamc.org/mcat website. Early submission of application is encouraged.

Twice each year representatives from LLU visit the campus to interview prospective students. Premedical students are encouraged to make appointments to speak with them even if not planning to attend LLU.

Most medical schools are members of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Applications must be submitted through this service. The AMCAS application may be obtained directly from AMCAS, or filled out electronically on the web. Applications are available between May 1 and November 1 for entry into medical school the following year (aamc.org). Early submission (application) is encouraged. Completed application submission early in June is really the optimal time even if the MCAT has not been taken yet.

The following courses without an asterisk must be included in the applicant’s academic program

Medical schools generally do not accept CLEP or AP credits for these basic science courses. Classes with (*) asterisks are recommended. Please check the specific requirements for individual medical schools.

*Waived if equivalent math was taken in high school with minimum grade of B.

BIOL 151 - General Biology (IN-7) 4 hours
BIOL 152 - General Biology (IN-7) 4 hours
CHEM 151 - General Chemistry (IN-7) 4 hours
CHEM 152 - General Chemistry 4 hours
CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry 4 hours
CHEM 312 - Organic Chemistry 4 hours
CHEM 361 - Biochemistry I 4 hours (no lab required)
ENGL 101 - Critical Thinking in Academic Reading and Writing I (IN-2) 3 hours
ENGL 102 - Critical Thinking in Academic Reading and Writing II (IN-2) 3 hours
MATH 120 - Precalculus Algebra 3 hours *
MATH 121 - Precalculus Trigonometry 2 hours *
PHYS 211 - General Physics I (IN-7) 3 hours
PHYS 212 - General Physics II 3 hours
PHYS 213 - General Physics Laboratory I (IN-7) 1 hour
PHYS 214 - General Physics Laboratory II 1 hour

Strongly recommended courses

NOTE: These are listed in order of preference to take before the MCAT. The last three are not covered on the MCAT.

BIOL 412 - Cell and Molecular Biology 4 hours
BIOL 418 - Animal Physiology 3 hours
BIOL 313 - Developmental Biology 3 hours
BIOL 417 - Animal Histology 3 hours
BIOL 416 - Human Anatomy 3 hours
PSYC 122 - General Psychology 3 hours