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Oakland University premed students have a significantly higher acceptance rate than national averages! Based on the most recent four years of data (2000-2003), OU applicants to medical school had a 79% (83/105) acceptance rate, compared to the national acceptance rate (for 2003) into medical schools, which was 32.8% (MD) and 7.7 (OD). This is a tribute to our students and our programs; an effective combination we believe accounts for these exceptional acceptance rates. It should be noted that OU does not do any prescreening of pre-medical applicants; anyone who wishes can apply through the normal premed channels.

Pre-Medical studies is intended for students who wish to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry or veterinary medicine.

The majority of pre-medical students major in biology or chemistry with a concentration in pre-medical studies. Most professional schools, however, do not require a bachelor's degree before admission to professional schools as long as all the courses in the concentration (see below) have been completed. The pre-medical concentration represents the minimum course work needed for application to most professional schools and provides the background needed before taking the entrance exams (MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE).

The concentration does not constitute a major. Students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree must elect a major from those offered by the university. The courses listed below represent the concentration in Pre-Medical Studies in Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine.

1. 24 credits of biology, including laboratories; typically introductory biology (BIO 111, 113, 116) and at least 3 of the following:

   Genetics (BIO 341, BIO 342)
   Physiology (BIO 207, 321, 322)
   Biochemistry (BIO 325 and 326 or CHM 453, 457 and 458)
   Developmental Biology (BIO 323, 324)
   Microbiology (BIO 319, 320)
   

2. 20 credits of chemistry, including laboratories (CHM 157, 158, 144-145; 147-148 and CHM 234-235 and 237).

3. 10 credits of physics, including laboratories (PHY 101-102 or 151-152 and PHY 158).

4. 8 credits of mathematics (MTH 141 plus one of MTH 122, 154, STA 225, 226. Note: preoptometry concentration students must take 12 credits of mathematics including one statistics course (STA 225 or 226).