Career Preparation

The practice of medicine is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of disease and trauma. Entry into medical practice may be gained through admission to an allopathic medical school from which the graduate earns an M.D. degree or through admission to an osteopathic medical school from which the graduate earns a D.O. degree. Although there are some differences in education and practice emphases, both types of physicians are licensed health care professionals. Either of the two routes requires a total of about 11 years of formal undergraduate and professional training.

Admission to medical schools remains highly competitive with more students applying than can be admitted. Competitive admission and the long period of educational preparation that is required to become a physician demands that students understand the qualifications and preparations needed to become a viable applicant to medical school. These include a strong personal commitment and a large investment of effort, time and financial resources. Admission becomes possible only when a student possesses high intellectual and personal abilities and demonstrates a record of academic excellence.

Other qualities sought by medical schools include social consciousness, good interpersonal communication skills and a record of community service and leadership. Activities must demonstrate that the applicant is service-and people-oriented. Medical-and hospital-related experiences demonstrate that the student has the experience to be able to make an informed decision about becoming a physician. Other factors taken into consideration include letters of recommendation, personality, motivation, interview impressions and difficulty of course work. All premedical students are wise to plan for alternate career options while pursuing their undergraduate degree.

Academic Program

Commitment to a premedical program is a professional intention and does not represent an academic major. However, most premedical students choose a science major which incorporates medical school core requirements. Pre-medical students are also urged to participate in the student Pre-Medical Society and other university-sponsored activities.

Courses

All premedical students, regardless of their major, should complete a set of recommended core courses. These courses minimally satisfy entrance requirements to medical schools. Please consult the Missouri State Catalog online for specific course information. Recommended core courses include:

• Two semesters of English composition (Writing I and Writing II)
• Two semesters of college mathematics, with at least calculus eligibility reached
• Two semesters of introductory biological science, including laboratory
• Two semesters of advanced biology courses such as vertebrate or human anatomy, general or human physiology, molecular cell biology, histology, embryology or genetics (human or general)
• Two semesters of general chemistry with laboratory
• Two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory
• Two semesters of general physics with laboratory

Details regarding core requirements along with recommended electives may be found in the Premedical Student Handbook. Also, consult the Missouri State Catalog.

A CHEMISTRY major with a BIOCHEMISTRY emphasis incorporates the medical school recommended courses while at the same time preparing students for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which is taken during the second semester of the junior year.

For More Information

Pre-Medicine Advisor
Department of Chemistry
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO  65897
417-836-5506
E-mail:  chemistry@missouristate.edu