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Pre-Professional Advising Services

Certificate Program in Pre-Medical Studies

While some universities offer pre-medical majors, it is the position of UWM and of most medical schools that there are better alternatives for preparing students to become medical doctors. UWM students are encouraged to nurture whatever interest or passion motivates their academic pursuits. Thus, premedical students at UWM major in a wide range of departments in the College of Letters and Science as well as in programs offered by the professional schools.

Premedical students must take a set core of courses in the sciences and mathematics to prepare for their medical school studies. However, UWM subscribes to the belief that "science" knowledge alone does not prepare students to become effective physicians. Students need to have insight into and sensitivity to the emotional, cultural, and environmental factors which motivate the behaviors of the people who will be their patients. They must have a genuine concern for them as individuals and an ability to communicate with them which respects their beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, the development of the student's humanistic side is a high priority in the education of future physicians. As there is little room in the medical curriculum to attend to this priority, UWM bears a responsibility to its students, and to the community at large which will benefit from the education of these future physicians, to encourage the acquisition of a breadth of knowledge as well as personal and social skills. The structure of the certificate program insures this breadth of development, which is so desirable.

Certificate Requirements:

Students will complete approximately 70 credits in meeting the requirements of the Certificate in Premedical Studies. Half of the required credits for the certificate must be taken at UWM, and at least 8 of the minimum of 15 advanced credits in the program must be taken at UWM.

Students must complete the following core courses prior to declaring the certificate:

  • Biology 150 and 152: Foundations of Biology 1 and 2
  • Biology 325 (260): Genetics
  • Chemistry 102 and 104: General Chemistry 1 and 2
  • Physics 120/121 and 122/123 (or the calculus-based sequence)
  • English Composition at the 102 level or above

The advanced natural science component of the certificate requires completion of the following courses:

  • One of the following advanced Biology courses: 383 (303) Microbiology, 320 Animal Physiology, 315 and 316 Genetics and Cell Biology with Lab, and 401 and 402 Immunology with Lab
  • Organic Chemistry 343, 344 and 345
  • One of the following: Physics 305: Medical Physics OR Physics 306: Biophysics OR Chemistry 501 Biochemistry (prerequisite is chemistry 221 or 223)
  • Math 116 and 117 Algebra/Trigonometry, or 211 Survey Calculus, or 225 and 226 Calculus with Pre-Calculus 1 and 2, or 231 Calculus & Analytical Geometry.
  • Independent Study or research project in a natural science department, psychology department (or other approved area) 3 credits

The following social science, humanities and topics oriented courses are also required for the certificate:

  • English (3 credits of electives)
  • Honors 310: Introduction to Clinic Medicine
  • History 229: History of Race, Science and Medicine in the United States
  • Psychology 101: Introduction to Psychology
  • Philosophy 241 Ethics, 2243 Moral Problems, or 244 Ethical Issues in Healthcare (3 credits)
  • Anthropology 104: Life Ways in Different Cultures
  • Communication 103: Public Speaking
  • Human Kinetics 211: First Aid and CPR

Required Enriching experiences:

  • Participation in the UWM/Medical Society of Milwaukee County Mentor Program
  • Certification of 112 hours of volunteer work or employment in a health care setting.

A cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a GPA of 3.25 in the required science courses is required in order to earn the certificate.

For more information about the Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies at UWM, please contact Patricia Cobb (Pre-Med Advisor) at (414) 229-3922 or email: pacobb@uwm.edu. If you would like to make an appointment to see Ms. Cobb, please call (414) 229-4654.