University of California, Riverside

Division of Biomedical Sciences



Program Prerequisites


Premedical Education

The college years should be devoted to obtaining as broad an education as possible. Major objectives of premedical education include:

  1. Competence in English, both written and spoken.
  2. Capacity for quantitative thinking, represented by mastery of mathematics, science and scientific method.
  3. A foundation for an ever-increasing insight in human behavior, thought and aspiration, through study of man and his society, as revealed by the social sciences and the humanities.

Ordinarily a bachelor's degree is required for admission, but in certain instances students who have completed three full academic years of college or university might be accepted.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements are satisfied by the following courses:

English One year of college English to include the study of English composition (ENGL 001A, ENGL 001B, ENGL 001C or equivalent).
Physics One year of college physics with lab (PHYS 002A, PHYS 002LA, PHYS 002B, PHYS 02LB, PHYS 002C, PHYS 02LC or equivalent).
Chemistry Two years of college chemistry (with lab) to include the study of inorganic and organic chemistry (CHEM 001A, CHEM 001B, CHEM 001C and CHEM 112A, CHEM 112B, CHEM 112C or equivalent).
Biology One year of general biology with lab (BIOL 005A, BIOL 05LA, BIOL 005B, BIOL 005C or equivalent).
Mathematics One year of college mathematics to include the study of introductory calculus and statistics (MATH 009A, MATH 009B and one course from STAT 100A or equivalent).
Spanish Highly recommended.
Humanities Highly recommended.
Computer Skills Highly recommended.
Biochemistry Highly recommended.

Courses in humanities and social sciences are highly recommended, to broaden the student’s understanding of the world and society. Science courses overlapping in subject matter (e.g. human anatomy) with those in the school of medicine are not recommended. However, basic or advanced courses in related sciences (e.g. biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics) are acceptable.

Completion of Requirements

Students must complete all premedical requirements before beginning the first year of medical study, although these requirements need not be completed at the time application for admission is filed.

Computer Requirement

All entering students are required to have a laptop computer.

More Information

General Campus Information

University of California, Riverside
900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521
Tel: (951) 827-1012

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Department Information

Division of Biomedical Sciences
B0600 Statistics Building

Tel: (951) 827-5705
Fax: (951) 827-3699

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