2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog | 20243

Pre-Osteopathic Medicine

Advisors: Dr. Holly LaFerriere, Dr. Mark Wallert

1. The pre-osteopathic medical student should fulfill all requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree at Bemidji State University. The student should declare an academic major. Pre-Osteopathic Medicine is not an academic major. Although the major may be in any field of study, experience indicates that a Biology or Chemistry major will provide the student with an advantage on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT is taken by early Spring of the Junior year, and application to osteopathic medical school is submitted by early September of the Senior year.
   
   
2. Early entrance into osteopathic medical school is possible for some students. Most students, however, enter osteopathic medical school after completing a baccalaureate degree. In addition, some osteopathic medical schools may require more courses than listed below. It is the responsibility of the pre- osteopathic medical student to become aware of these additional requirements and plan his or her pre-osteopathic medical curriculum accordingly.
   
   
3. The pre-osteopathic medical student should work closely with the pre-osteopathic medical advisor so all course requirements are fulfilled prior to entrance into osteopathic medical school. A delay in meeting with the pre- osteopathic medical advisor will likely result in delayed entrance into osteopathic medical school.
   
   
4. In addition to a strong background in behavioral sciences, English, and humanities, the following courses are specifically required for entrance into most osteopathic medical schools:

   BIOL 1400, 1500 (additional biology courses may be required)
   CHEM 2211, 2212, 3311, 3312, 3371, 3372 (biochemistry may be required)
   ENGL 1151, 2152
   PHYS 1101, 1102 (or) 2101, 2102

5. The following courses are strongly recommended to be included in the student’s pre-osteopathic medicine curriculum:

   BIOL 1300, 2110, 2360, 3250, 3260, 3580, 3590, 3710, 4270
   CHEM 4411, 4412, 4471, 4472
   MATH 2471, 2472

6. Consult your pre-osteopathic medical advisor for additional courses, including Liberal Education courses, which will be most beneficial for successful osteopathic medical school candidates.
   
   
7. A suggested pre-osteopathic medicine academic schedule is listed below; numbers in parentheses are semester credits.

Freshman

BIOL 1400, 1500; F, S; (4,4)
CHEM 2211, 2212; F, S; (4,4)
ENGL 1151, 2152; F, S; (3,3)
MATH 1470; F or S; (5)
Electives: Consult your Pre-Osteopathic Medical Advisor

Sophomore

BIOL 1300; F or S; (2)
CHEM 3311, 3312; F, S; (4,4)
PHYS: Consult your Pre-Osteopathic Medical Advisor
MATH: Consult your Pre-Osteopathic Medical Advisor

Junior

BIOL 3250, 3260; F, S (4,4)
Electives: Consult your Pre-Osteopathic Medical Advisor
MCAT—Early Spring

Senior

Consult your Pre-Osteopathic Medical Advisor
Osteopathic Medical School Application—Early September