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Natural Sciences BS – Pre-Medicine Track

Chart Your Path to Medicine

Build the scientific foundation you need for medical school and beyond.

 

The Natural Sciences major is an interdisciplinary liberal arts program designed for students who want maximum flexibility in shaping their scientific education. The Pre-Medicine Track is ideal for students preparing for medical or dental school. This track provides the foundational science courses required for most programs while allowing exploration of complementary disciplines.

Completion of this concentration does not guarantee acceptance into graduate study, but students can leverage resources from the University of Pittsburgh’s Interprofessional Center for Health Careers (PIC Health Careers). 

Program Highlights

  • Complete the 39-credit Pre-Medicine curriculum aligned with medical and dental school prerequisites
  • Work closely with a CGS academic advisor to ensure all required coursework is completed
  • Flexible blend of on-campus and online course options
  • Access to PIC Health Careers resources to support pre-health professional preparation
  • Prepare for standardized tests like the MCAT and strengthen your medical school application

Degree Requirements

Students must complete 120 credits (approximately 40 courses) to earn the Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences. At least 24 credits must be upper-division (1000-level). These courses may come from any portion of the degree plan, provided they meet the track and general degree requirements.

For additional requirements outside the major, visit the General Education program page.

GPA Requirement

Effective for Spring 2022 applicants and beyond, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 to be admitted into the Pre-Medicine Track. Maintaining strong academic standing is critical for competitiveness in medical school admissions.

Pre-Medicine Track Requirements

39 credits (core and recommended courses)

Core Required Courses

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Note: Last offering Fall 2025
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Note: Last offering Summer 2026
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Note: New combined 2-credit lab available as of Spring 2026, replacing BIOSC 0057 and BIOSC 0067. Contact your advisor with questions.
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Note: This is a 4-credit course with lab included.
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Note: This is a 4-credit course with lab included.
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OR
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Format: F2F and Web
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Additional recommended courses for the pre-medicine option:

*Choose course not taken for track requirements.
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OR
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Format: F2F and Web
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Program Notes

  • Requirements can vary from school to school. To ensure eligibility, one year of English (writing-intensive) and one half-year of Psychology and/or Sociology is also recommended.
  • Students pursuing the Pre-Medicine Track in Natural Sciences cannot be awarded a Chemistry minor in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences.
  • Consult individual medical school websites for specific admission requirements.

Resources & Flexible Options

Flexible Learning Options

While many core sciences require in-person labs, select coursework is available online to support scheduling needs.

View Online Courses

Planning Resources

Use the Pre-Medicine Track Checklist (PDF) to map out your required courses and monitor your progress toward degree completion.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Ready to Get Started?

Prospective students, request more information to learn about admission and begin planning your personalized degree path. Current Pitt students, connect with a CGS advisor.