Catalog Year:
2025 - 2026
The Premedical Studies Certificate of Achievement provides the first two years of college science education while fulfilling lower division prerequisites required by most U.S. medical schools for the study of medicine. It is aligned with Medical School Admission requirements (MSAR) published by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Students should confirm the specific requirements of the undergraduate university where they plan to transfer and the medical college(s) where they plan to apply for admission.
Career Opportunities
The Premedical Studies Certificate of Achievement provides a foundation for premedical, predental, prepharmacy, and preveterinary studies. It will also prepare students for careers in the physical and biological sciences, the agricultural sciences, as well as nutrition, food chemistry and related fields.
Required Courses
Units: 50.0-52.0
Lower Division Courses Required by Most U.S. Medical Schools
BIO 201A
BIOLOGY
5.0
BIO 201B
BIOLOGY
5.0
CHEM 201A
GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
5.0
CHEM 201B
GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II
5.0
CHEM 212A
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
5.0
CHEM 212B
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
5.0
CHEM 231
BIOCHEMISTRY
4.0
ENGL C1000
ACADEMIC READING AND WRITING
4.0
4.0
ENGL 201B
COMPOSITION: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE/CRITICAL THINKING
4.0
OR
ENGL C1001
CRITICAL THINKING AND WRITING
4.0
10.0
PHYS 208A
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS 1
5.0
AND
0.0
PHYS 208B
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS 2
5.0
OR
8.0
PHYS 205A
GENERAL PHYSICS
4.0
AND
PHYS 205B
GENERAL PHYSICS
4.0
Select a Required Math Track (Track A or Track B)
Units: 9.0-10.0
Track A
MATH 265A
CALCULUS I
5.0
MATH 265B
CALCULUS II
5.0
OR
Track B
4.0-5.0
MATH 229
TRIGONOMETRY
4.0
OR
MATH 231
TRIGONOMETRY WITH GEOMETRIC FOUNDATIONS
5.0
MATH 242
PRECALCULUS ALGEBRA
5.0
Total: 59.0-62.0
Program Outcomes
Outcome
Explain the relationship between structure and function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels.
Assessment
BIO 201A/B, CHEM 201A/B, CHEM 212A/B, and CHEM 231
Outcome
Apply fundamental theories of physical and life sciences to explain the diversity of living things and modes of energy exchange.
Assessment
BIO 201A/B, CHEM 201A/B, CHEM 212A/B, CHEM 231, and PHYS 205A/B or PHYS 208A/B
Outcome
Apply the scientific method to investigate fundamental and novel questions regarding natural phenomena.
Assessment
BIO 201A/B, CHEM 201A/B, CHEM 212A/B, CHEM 231, and PHYS 205A/B or PHYS 208A/B
Outcome
Utilize technology to conduct experiments and collect, analyze, and communicate data.
Assessment
BIO 201A/B, CHEM 201A/B, CHEM 212A/B, and PHYS 205A/B or PHYS 208A/B
Outcome
Critically evaluate the internal and external validity of scientific studies to inform decisions.
Assessment
BIO 201A/B, CHEM 201A/B, CHEM 212A/B, CHEM 231, ENGL 201B, and PHYS 205A/B or PHYS 208A/B
Outcome
Solve scientific problems and communicate scientific facts orally, visually, and in writing.
Assessment
BIO 201A/B, CHEM 201A/B, CHEM 212A/B, CHEM 231, ENGL 201B, MATH 229 or 231 and MATH 242 or MATH 265A/B, and PHYS 205A/B