Pre-med requirements are those needed for
eligibility to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply
to medical school. Pre-med courses consist of chemistry, organic
chemistry, physics and biology. Other common subjects are math and
biochemistry. Sometimes liberal arts topics are required. Pre-med
studies may also include internships and volunteer activities. Online
students face special challenges, but with persistence may be able to
create an online pre-med program.
How to Select an Online Pre-Med College
Award Levels
Pre-med is not a degree, but a general term for the course topics and activities needed for students interested in attending medical school. Pre-med courses can be taken as part of almost any undergraduate degree program, although most students major in an area of general science, such as biology or zoology. Online bachelor's degree programs in the sciences are rare, but some can be found in areas useful for medical school preparation, such as zoology and chemical engineering.Planning an Online Study Program
Students who want to earn an undergraduate degree online should be aware that not all medical schools accept online pre-med credits. Hybrid classes that include on-campus labs are more likely to be honored. Liberal arts courses are required by some medical schools. Topics like English composition, logic, and literature are available online, and are helpful in preparing for the essay and verbal reasoning sections of the MCAT. Students with non-science undergraduate degrees must have certain science credits to apply for medical school, and some of these might be earned by taking individual online classes.Program Presentation and Requirements
Most degree programs are taught in a hybrid format due to the hands-on nature of science studies. Intensive on-campus labs may be required at certain times of year. For online portions of their programs, schools often use a managed learning environment, such as ANGEL, to facilitate lectures, discussions and assigned projects. Standard technical requirements include a computer with high-speed Internet access and e-mail access.Career Outlook for Physicians and Surgeons
Job growth for doctors is expected to be 22% from 2008-2018, which is much faster than average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). Some of this growth will be due to the aging U.S. population and the expected retirement of a substantial number of doctors. Work opportunities will be especially good in low-income and rural communities, and for doctors specializing in geriatrics and radiology.Median wages in 2008 for primary care doctors were $186,044, with $339,738 for specialists. Doctors in private practice earn somewhat higher incomes, but must pay for their own insurance. (www.bls.gov)
List of Online Pre-Med Programs
Bachelor of Science in Zoology Programs
Zoology is the study of animals, which includes their evolution, structure, behavior and function. With this connection to general biology studies, zoology is a fairly common degree choice for pre-med students. Courses involve a substantial amount of complex material and research work, so most are taught hands-on. However, some zoology programs offer a few online courses, often in basic genetics and ecology.Genetics is the branch of biology that deals with heredity. Classes present information on the structure of genes in living organisms, how genetic traits are passed on and how organisms evolve as a result of that process.
Ecology explores the roles of animals and plants in the environment, both as individuals and communities, and as part of different ecosystems. Modern ecology studies also include an examination of sustainability. Students may take these classes online via lectures and modules, communicating with teachers and peers via email.
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