Prerequisite Courses

Preparation for medical school in the 21st century should reflect contemporary developments in medical knowledge, the pace of discovery, and the permeation of biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics into most areas of medicine. Although the Committee on Admissions has established course requirements in discrete subject areas, we will consider alternative course formats or combinations that demonstrate equivalent preparation. We encourage students to pursue interdisciplinary courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics and the integration of principles across the preclinical sciences.

Please note that these requirements are subject to change from one application cycle to the next; therefore, students should review our requirements prior to the application cycle in which they decide to apply.

The Committee on Admissions considers the level of coursework completed when evaluating candidates’ academic performance and determining their suitability for medicine. We require strong preparation in the areas of science and mathematics that are basic to medical studies. Candidates should take courses in these areas that are comparable to courses taken by subject majors.

Prerequisites do not need to be completed in order to submit an application to Harvard Medical School; however, the required courses (and/or any degree programs an applicant is enrolled in) must be completed prior to matriculation. The majority of successful applicants will have completed most of the required courses prior to application.

Ultimately, however, it is not the number of years in college or hours in a course but the quality of education and the maturity of the student that determine readiness for medical school.

Summary of Required Courses

Please note the specifications in each required subject area below (e.g., laboratory work in biology, general/inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry). Advanced-level courses may be used to satisfy basic course requirements. Detailed information regarding these prerequisites can be found below the following tables.

REQUIRED AND ENCOURAGED COURSES*

The following prerequisite courses are required or encouraged for applicants applying beginning with the 2020-2021 application cycle.

Subject

Specifications**

• Encouraged to complete coursework in Behavioral Sciences (e.g. psychology, sociology, etc).

Biology

• One year with lab experience (one semester of lab experience should be with corresponding coursework; however, second semester lab may be fulfilled by independent laboratory based research) is required.
• Should include cellular and molecular aspects
• AP credits cannot be used; however, if students have earned college credit for biology through AP coursework, upper level courses in biology will satisfy this requirement.

Chemistry/Biochemistry

• Two years of chemistry (four courses) including inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry are required.
• Lab experience required
• AP credits that enable you to take a higher-level course will satisfy one semester of inorganic chemistry

Physics

• One year is required.
• Lab experience is desirable but not required
• Pathways - AP credits that enable you to take an upper-level course will meet one semester
• HST - One year of physics must be taken at the college level. Candidates are strongly encouraged to meet this prerequisite with at least one year in calculus-based physics*

Math

• Pathways - Encouraged to complete one year of coursework in mathematics, including one semester each of calculus and statistics (preferably biostatistics)
• HST –Coursework that includes upper-level mathematics (typically to include differential equations and/or linear algebra)* is strongly encouraged, although evidence of comparable engagement with analytic and computational tools through other activities will be considered. Statistics (preferably biostatistics) is also encouraged

Writing

• One year is required.
• AP credits cannot be used
• Writing intensive courses are preferred
• Humanities or social science courses involving substantial expository writing will satisfy this requirement

* Please note that in addition to these requirements for all MD candidates, HST candidates are required to demonstrate competency in upper-level mathematics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and calculus-based physics. Read more below.
** Although courses that correspond to these discrete subject areas and specifications will satisfy admissions requirements, the Committee encourages and will consider other innovative approaches to mastering the competencies detailed below (i.e., interdisciplinary courses that complement required subject content).