MCAT 2015 and Example Course Sequences
“The MCAT exam is changing in 2015 to keep pace with the changes in medicine” (https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/).”
This example course timeline is only a resource—it is subject to change due to the student’s interest, availability of classes, successful completion of pre-requisites, math placement, modifications to MCAT 2015, etc. Example course timelines should be used in conjunction with departmental web pages; LOCUS; academic, major, and pre-health advisors; faculty with expertise in relevant subject areas; and American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) resources on the MCAT and MCAT 2015: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/ and https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/
- This course timeline is only one example of sequencing of courses identified as having primary relevance for the 2015 MCAT. Several other variations exist such as courses taken over the summer, additional courses taken during a single academic year, and the like.
- Students may wish to consult with faculty in academic areas of interest for further information on how additional courses may substitute for or supplement courses listed in this course timeline as preparation for the MCAT 2015.
- Courses listed in this example timeline are completed by the end of Spring 2015 and prior to sitting for the MCAT in spring/summer 2015, which would typically be necessary for admission to medical school in fall 2016. However, it is important to note that students may take four years (or more) to complete their preparation for the MCAT if they wish to take a year or more off between graduation from college and entrance to medical school, feel additional preparation for the MCAT is necessary, etc.
Chemistry Focused Example Timeline for MCAT 2015 (Example I)
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Coursework for MCAT 2015
| Fall 2012 Biology 101/111 (General Biology I) Chemistry 101/111 (General Chemistry I) - (or Chemistry 105) |
Spring 2013 Biology 102/112 (General Biology II) Chemistry 102/112 (General Chemistry II) - (or Chemistry 106) |
| Fall 2013 Chemistry 223/225 (Organic Chemistry I) - (or Chemistry 221) Physics 111/131 (College Physics I) |
Spring 2014 Chemistry 224/226 (Organic Chemistry II) - (or Chemistry 222) Physics 112/132 (College Physics II) |
| Fall 2014 Biology 251 (Cell Biology)* Biology 282 (Genetics)* |
Spring 2015 Chemistry 361 (Survey in Biochemistry) |
Psychology and Sociology Coursework for MCAT 2015
Sociology 101 (Tier I Core Course) and Psychology 101 (Tier II Core Course)***
Statistics Coursework for MCAT 2015
Statistics 103****
*Biology 251 and 282 are currently not prerequisites for Chem 361, however, they are recommended. It is also expected that Biology 251 and 282 will be helpful in preparation for the MCAT.
** Students opting for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry substitute Chemistry 370 and 371 for Chemistry 361.
*** Sociology 101 is a Tier I core course and thus must be taken before Psychology 101 which is a Tier II core course. Students may want to consult with the Sociology Department to see in other courses such as Sociology 122 (Race and Ethnic Relations) address relevant subject matter to be tested on the 2015 MCAT.
****Students majoring or minoring in Biology, Psychology, Sociology may wish to consult with these departments about the degree to which Biology 335 (Introduction to Biostatistics), Psychology 304 (Statistics), or Sociology 301 (Statistics for Social Research) address statistical subject matter to be tested on the 2015 MCAT.
Example Course Timeline for MCAT 2015 (Example II of II)
“The MCAT exam is changing in 2015 to keep pace with the changes in medicine” (https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/).”
This example course timeline is only a resource—it is subject to change due to the student’s interest, availability of classes, successful completion of pre-requisites, math placement, modifications to MCAT 2015, etc. Example course timelines should be used in conjunction with departmental web pages; LOCUS; academic, major, and pre-health advisors; faculty with expertise in relevant subject areas; and American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) resources on the MCAT and MCAT 2015: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/ and https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/
- This course timeline is only one example of sequencing of courses identified as having primary relevance for the 2015 MCAT. Several other variations exist such as courses taken over the summer, additional courses taken during a single academic year, and the like.
- Students may wish to consult with faculty in academic areas of interest for further information on how additional courses may substitute for or supplement courses listed in this course timeline as preparation for the MCAT 2015.
- Courses listed in this example timeline are completed by the end of Spring 2015 and prior to sitting for the MCAT in spring/summer 2015, which would typically be necessary for admission to medical school in fall 2016. However, it is important to note that students may take four years (or more) to complete their preparation for the MCAT if they wish to take a year or more off between graduation from college and entrance to medical school, feel additional preparation for the MCAT is necessary, etc.
Biology Focused Example Time Line for MCAT 2015 (Example II)
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Coursework for MCAT 2015
| Fall 2012 Biology 101/111 (General Biology I) Chemistry 101/111 (General Chemistry I) - (or Chemistry 105) |
Spring 2013 Biology 102/112 (General Biology II) Chemistry 102/112 (General Chemistry II) - (or Chemistry 106) |
| Fall 2013 Biology 251 (Cell Biology) or 282 (Genetics) Chemistry 223/225 (Organic Chemistry I) - (or Chemistry 221) |
Spring 2014 Biology 251 (Cell Biology) or 282 (Genetics) Chemistry 224/226 (Organic Chemistry II) - (or Chemistry 222) |
| Fall 2014 Physics 111/131 (College Physics I) |
Spring 2015 Biology 366 (Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry) Physics 112/132 (College Physics II |
Psychology and Sociology Coursework for MCAT 2015
Sociology 101 (Tier I Core Course) and Psychology 101 (Tier II Core Course)*
Statistics Coursework for MCAT 2015
Statistics 103**
*Sociology 101 is a Tier I core course and thus must be taken before Psychology 101 which is a Tier II core course. Students may want to consult with the Sociology Department to see in other courses such as Sociology 122 (Race and Ethnic Relations) address relevant subject matter to be tested on the 2015 MCAT.
**Students majoring or minoring in Biology, Psychology, Sociology may wish to consult with these departments about the degree to which Biology 335 (Introduction to Biostatistics), Psychology 304 (Statistics), or Sociology 301 (Statistics for Social Research) address statistical subject matter to be tested on the 2015 MCAT.