Applicants need to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to entering UW SMPH MD Program. Only outstanding undergraduate applicants will be considered without earning a bachelor’s degree. The degree may be earned in any discipline. In addition, the applicant is expected to take coursework that demonstrates the requisite intellectual discipline and analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in medical school.
Specific courses are required for admission to UW SMPH. Courses that meet the biology and chemistry prerequisites must include didactic and laboratory components required of science majors and equivalent to one academic year. Physics courses must include didactic and laboratory components required of science majors and based upon mathematics of at least the level of college algebra and trigonometry, and equivalent to one academic year.
Requirements for students entering in August 2008 and following:
Biochemistry: A course in biochemistry is required prior to entry. The requirement may be satisfied through a variety of courses that address the fundamentals of biochemistry, including molecular genetics, structure and activity of proteins, and metabolism.
Organic Chemistry: The organic chemistry requirement is one semester of organic chemistry and no lab is required. Note that some biochemistry course prerequisites may include two semesters of organic chemistry.
Advanced Biology: Students must have an advanced level biology course with lab in addition to a biochemistry course.
| Requirements beginning with 2009 entry: | Semesters |
|---|
| General Biology (with lab) | 1 |
| Advanced Biology (with lab) | 1 |
| Inorganic/General Chemistry (with lab) | 2 |
| Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| Biochemistry | 1 |
| Physics (with lab) | 2 |
| Statistics | 1 |
| Mathematics (calculus recommended) | 1 |
Statistics: a basic course in statistics is required as a component of the existing math requirement (one semester of statistics fulfills one of the two math course requirements).
Please note that these requirements are for University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health MD program only. Other medical schools likely have different requirements. A key website to access information about requirements at other schools is www.aamc.org.
Skill in verbal and written communication is an important requisite in medicine and a course in English which stresses composition is considered favorably in the admissions process. A sound general education includes courses in the humanities and social sciences. While specific courses are not required, the applicant’s preparation should include courses in those areas which prepare for the social, psychological, and economic aspects of medical practice. All courses must be successfully completed before entering medical school and may be in progress during the application process.
A general understanding of health care and medicine, based upon employment, volunteer and shadowing experiences, is also expected. Service work is highly valued.
