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Dec 05, 2025
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Pre-Medicine
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Students who intend to pursue a career in medicine must carefully plan their undergraduate programs in order to be sure they meet the requirements for admission to medical school. Many medical schools require the B.A. or B.S. degree for admission and all consider a degree to be highly desirable. The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine may admit outstanding undergraduates who have completed three years (90 semester hours) of pre-medical coursework and fulfilled all entrance requirements. Sanford School of Medicine does encourage prospective applicants to complete the B.A. or B.S. degree prior to admission. The pre-medicine program at USD is designed to permit the student to accomplish two simultaneous objectives: (1) fulfill the requirements for a B.A. or B.S. degree within the student’s academic major and (2) fulfill the requirements for entrance into the Sanford School of Medicine. The significant science emphasis of the prerequisite courses makes it convenient for the pre-medicine student to choose a major in one of the science disciplines; however, it is entirely possible for the student to fulfill the prerequisite coursework while working on an undergraduate major in a non-science discipline. One very workable scenario would be to pursue a B.S. degree from the College of Arts and Sciences consisting of a combination of a major in a science discipline along with a minor in the social sciences or the humanities. Such a combination would provide the student with an excellent academic foundation upon which to enter medical school at USD or elsewhere.
Pre-dental students should take CHEM 326/328/L to satisfy most dental school requirements.Generally, pre-medical students should complete CHEM 310/L, however, some medical schools require CHEM 326/328/L rather than CHEM 310/L. Students intending to apply to a medical school other than the USD Medical School should determine the specific requirements for the schools they intend to apply.
For additional information regarding the pre-medicine program, contact:
Dr. Jessica Messersmith,
College of Arts & Sciences/Associate Dean for Academics
Arts & Sciences 110
605-658-3830
Jessica.Messersmith@usd.edu
For information regarding the medical school or medical school admissions, please contact:
The Sanford School of Medicine’s Medical Student Affairs Office
605-658-6300
http://www.usd.edu/medicine/md-program
The Academic & Career Planning Center
605-658-3600
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RECOMMENDED PRE-PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM
Students interested in allopathic medicine (Doctor of Medicine - MD) should research the individual program/s to which they plan to apply for specific admissions requirements. Students may pursue any major of interest. Medical schools like to see significant extracurricular activity such as patient care, volunteer, leadership, and research. Students must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT tests foundational science knowledge in combination with skills in scientific inquiry, reasoning, research, and statistics in the following general areas: a. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems b. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems c. Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior d. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills A list of US medical programs can be found at the Association of American of Medical Colleges (AAMC). Additional information about medical schools and education can be found at AAMC: http://www.aamc.org. Pre-Med students at USD may use the following curriculum as a guide in completing medical school prerequisites. Students are strongly encouraged to choose schools to which they would like to apply and work with an advisor to design an appropriate pre-medicine curriculum. General Chemistry (8 hours)
Organic Chemistry (*4-5 hours)
OTHER SUGGESTED COURSE OFFERINGS
It is highly recommended that students also complete additional coursework in Cell Biology, Genetics or Molecular Biology, Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology, and Sociology. Please note that some medical schools may require courses in these fields as part of their pre-medicine curriculum: *Additional Organic Chemistry (some programs require 8 hours/2 semesters of organic chemistry with labs)
Students should thoroughly research the requirements of programs to which they plan to apply. |
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