Pre-Medicine
Medicine is a branch of the health sciences concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, treatment and possible prevention of disease. The practice of medicine is evolving as the health care system changes. Managed care and health maintenance organizations are creating an increased demand for primary care physicians who provide most health care needs for their patients and refer them to other specialists as needed.
Physicians care for healthy people and for those who are ill or injured. Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients about illness, injuries, health conditions, and preventive healthcare (i.e. diet and fitness, smoking cessation, etc.). They prescribe and administer medications and treatments, provide immunization services, care for pregnant women and deliver babies, perform surgery, and conduct research to aid in disease control or the development of new treatments. Physicians work in one or more specialties, such as anesthesiology, family and general medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and surgery.
Pre-Medicine is considered a designation at Texas Tech University; it is not a major. Pre-Medicine students take the required courses in order to apply to medical school. Pre-Medicine students have the option to major in any area they choose as long as they take the prerequisite courses required to enter medical school along with the courses needed to earn a degree at Texas Tech University.
Most medical schools require the following courses:
| Texas Tech University | Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) |
|---|---|
| CHEMISTRY I 1307 | CHEMISTRY 1311, 1411 |
| CHEMISTRY I 1107 (laboratory) | CHEMISTRY 1111, 1411 |
| CHEMISTRY II 1308 | CHEMISTRY 1312, 1412, 1414 |
| CHEMISTRY II 1108 (laboratory) | CHEMISTRY 1112, 1412, 1414 |
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3305 | |
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3105 (laboratory) | |
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3306 | |
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3106 (laboratory) | |
| MOLECULAR BIOCHEMISTRY 3310 | |
| BIOLOGY I 1403 | BIOLOGY 1406, 1106, 1306 |
| BIOLOGY II 1404 | BIOLOGY 1407, 1107, 1307 |
| 6 HOURS OF ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES ARE REQUIRED BY MOST MEDICAL SCHOOLS | |
| PHYSICS 1403 | PHYSICS 1401, 1101,1301 |
| PHYSICS 1404 | PHYSICS 1402, 1102, 1302 |
| ENGLISH 1301 | ENGLISH 1301 |
| ENGLISH 1302 | ENGLISH 1302 |
| MATH 2300 OR MATH 1451 | MATH 1342, 1442, 2342 OR MATH 2313 |
Frequently check with the programs to which you plan to apply
Prerequisites and/or application procedures can change
Medical school entry requirements:
Most medical schools require a minimum of three years of study (90 semester hours) completed at an accredited U.S.or Canadian college or university before anticipated date of enrollment. However, the completion of an undergraduate degree is highly desirable before entrance into medical school. Students applying without an undergraduate degree are likely to be accepted only if they have academic records superior to those of students accepted with a baccalaureate degree. They also must exhibit definite evidence of experience and maturity. Most medical schools require candidates to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
For information about Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
For information about Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine located in El Paso Texas
Pre-Medicine programs offered at Texas Tech University through collaboration with the TTUHSC School of Medicine:
- Undergraduate to Medical School Initiative (UMSI)
- Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP)
- TTU Honors College Early Acceptance Program