Print This PagePre-medical students in the chemistry program participate in cutting edge research opportunities that provide valuable insights into chemistry and biochemistry. Students develop a strong background in inorganic, organic, and biochemistry as a basis for medical school coursework. This coursework also prepares students for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) science and verbal reasoning sections.
Each winter, usually in February, our all-day Saturday Freshman Seminar is held to introduce new students to the academic challenges of preparing for professional schools. In particular, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) are explained and practiced at this workshop. Students are not usually aware that the score on their admissions test forms a very large part of the package that determines if they are granted an interview by the medical, dental or optometry school to which they have applied. Experienced faculty members, UAB seniors and students who are in the professional schools at the time, lead this popular workshop.
During fall and spring semesters a 1-credit pass/fail course is offered to provide insight to juniors about reasoning and problem-solving skills related to the admissions tests. This course, Core Principles of Modern Science, is cross-listed by both Biology and Chemistry as BY 307 or CH 307 and is taught by science faculty members experienced with the admissions tests and teach the pre-med/dent/opt courses.
Each semester pre-professional students in the junior or senior year may enroll in a directed studies 1-credit (pass/fail) course called Clinical Observation by choosing either BY 397 or CH 297 and working directly with a practicing physician/dentist/optometrist while collaborating with a faculty member in Biology or Chemistry.
This is a one-semester hour course allows students to "shadow" a medical professional.
Faculty members in the sciences offer you suggestions to help in your success as a chemistry pre-medical student.
This timeline will help guide you through undergraduate program from the spring before freshman year through your senior year.
Steps in how to be a successful pre-medical, dental, or optometry student.
National site for honor society for pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-optometry students.
If your professional goal is medical school, dental school, or optometry school, then access this link.
