Preprofessional Advising

The Pre-Health Advising Office offers resources and information to students from all UF majors who intend to pursue a graduate program in the health professions, such as medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, physician assistant, optometry, physical therapy, and/or occupational therapy school. Pre-health students may choose almost any major they are interested in pursuing. Pre-health students should review the detailed information on the pre-health advising website to explore and keep track of necessary steps to take throughout their time at UF in order to become competitive applicants for the professional programs to which they plan to apply.
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All pre-health students are encouraged to enroll in Pre-Health Essentials, a free, non-graded Canvas course offered by the Pre-Health Advising Office. Pre-Health Essentials offers workshops and resources for pre-health students to explore and prepare for a healthcare profession.

Pre-Health Students

Plan to complete the following courses, which are the basic prerequisites for many preprofessional graduate programs. Some health professions do not require all of these courses, and some may require more. Requirements vary from program to program, so students should carefully investigate the requirements of the institutions to which they plan to apply.

Students can find pre-health Suggested Course Timelines on the pre-health website Forms & Handouts page. These timelines outline required and recommended prerequisite courses for each health profession.
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Mathematics

At least two semesters of college-level mathematics; one semester of statistics (STA 2023) is required. Calculus (MAC 2311 or MAC 3472) is recommended for pre-medical students, and required for pre-pharmacy and pre-optometry students.

General Chemistry

Select one option:5-8
Option A
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Option B
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
Honors General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Option C
Chemistry for Engineers 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
Chemistry for Engineers 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Option D
One-Semester General Chemistry
and One-Semester General Chemistry Laboratory

Organic Chemistry

Select one option:8-10
Option A
Organic Chemistry 1
Organic Chemistry 2
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Option B
Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 1
Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2
Laboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry

One semester is required by many professional schools. BCH 4024 or CHM 3218

Physics

Select one option:8-10
Option A
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2
Option B
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2
Option C
Enriched Physics with Calculus 1
Enriched Physics with Calculus 2
Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1
Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2

Biology

BSC 2010
2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1
4
BSC 2011
2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2
4

English

At least two semesters

Additional Course Requirements

Pre-Medical Students

PSY 2012General Psychology3
SYG 2000Principles of Sociology3

Pre-Dental Students

Select one:4-5
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms (non-microbiology majors)
Principles of Microbiology
and Principles of Microbiology Laboratory (microbiology majors)

Pre-Optometry Students

Select one:4-5
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms
Principles of Microbiology
and Principles of Microbiology Laboratory
Also recommended:
APK 2100CApplied Human Anatomy with Laboratory4
APK 2105CApplied Human Physiology with Laboratory4
PSY 2012General Psychology3

Pre-Pharmacy Students

Select one:8-9
Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory
and Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory
Functional Vertebrate Anatomy
and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Animals (acceptable for UF College of Pharmacy)
Select one:4-5
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms (non-microbiology majors)
Principles of Microbiology
and Principles of Microbiology Laboratory (microbiology majors)
Also recommended:
ECO 2023Principles of Microeconomics4
or ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics
PHY 2053
2053L
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1
5
PHY 2054
2054L
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2
5
SPC 2608Introduction to Public Speaking3
PSY 2012General Psychology3

Pre-Veterinary Students

Select one:4-5
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms (non-microbiology majors)
Principles of Microbiology
and Principles of Microbiology Laboratory (microbiology majors)
Select one:3-4
Genetics (non-microbiology majors)
Genetics
Genetics of Domestic Animals
Also recommended:
ANS 3006Introduction to Animal Science3
ANS 3440
ANS 3006L
Principles of Animal Nutrition
and Introduction to Animal Science Laboratory
5
ZOO 3713CFunctional Vertebrate Anatomy4
PCB 4723CPhysiology and Molecular Biology of Animals4

Pre-Physician Assistant Course Recommendations

CHM 2045
2045L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CHM 2046
2046L
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
CHM 2210Organic Chemistry 13
or CHM 2200 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
BSC 2010
2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1
4
BSC 2011
2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2
4
APK 2100CApplied Human Anatomy with Laboratory4
APK 2105CApplied Human Physiology with Laboratory4
STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 13
HSC 3537Health and Medical Terminology3
Select one:4-5
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms
Principles of Microbiology
and Principles of Microbiology Laboratory
Also recommended:
PSY 2012General Psychology3
PCB 3063Genetics4
CHM 2211
2211L
Organic Chemistry 2
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
BCH 4024Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology4
or CHM 3218 Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2
SPC 2608Introduction to Public Speaking3
or AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication
PCB 4233Immunology3

UF's pre-law advisors offer students assistance as they explore their interest in law and provide guidance during the law school application process. Students are encouraged to utilize UF's pre-law resources:

  • Pre-law Website: Review pre-law tips, timelines and resources.
    More Info
  • Pre-law Listserv: Join the listserv to receive pre-law announcements and stay connected with UF's abundant pre-law activities.
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  • Pre-law Advising: Pre-law advisors are located in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center (AAC) in Farrior Hall. Students may make an appointment through the AAC website or email the pre-law advisors.
    More Info | Email

Choosing a Major

Pre-law students must develop analytic and problem-solving skills, critical reading abilities, writing skills, oral communication and listening abilities, research skills, and organization and priority management skills. These skills can be attained through virtually any major in combination with a wide variety of complementary electives. There is no "pre-law" major at UF; students should choose a major in which they have a true interest and select a broad, diverse, and challenging array of courses from demanding instructors in order to prepare for success in law school.

Exploration

Pre-law students are encouraged to carefully assess their interest in and motivation for attending law school. The pre-law timeline, featured on the website, encourages students to shadow attorneys, conduct informational interviews, complete internships, and speak to admission officers to learn about law schools and the legal profession. Students should also consider studying overseas, writing an honors thesis, and getting involved in leadership opportunities. These activities will enhance the depth and value of students' undergraduate education and may also distinguish students from other top law school applicants.