Is biology a good major for pre-med?

Asked by: Kelly Oberbrunner  |  Last update: March 11, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (14 votes)

Biology or chemistry would be a great choice. You'll also want to ensure that you regularly communicate with your pre-med advisor about your course load. Your advisor will help you stay on track with medical school requirements and make sure you properly plan which courses to take before you sit for the MCAT.

What is the best major for pre-med?

The top five popular science majors for pre-med are: Biology ( general and other) Biochemistry. Neurobiology.
...
Health-related studied are a natural stepping stone to medical school, with the top five pre-med health majors being:
  • Medicine.
  • Other medical specialties.
  • Nursing.
  • Public Health.
  • Health administration.

Is biology a good major for med school?

Is biology the best major for medical school? It's not surprising that most people who apply to medical school choose to major in biology; after all, biology is the basis for physiology and other medical principles.

What biology do you need for pre-med?

We recommend that premedical students take Biology 305-306 (Human Physiology I & II) during their sophomore or junior year. You should also take additional upper level science courses, in order to demonstrate that you can succeed in medical school coursework.

Is biology a hard major?

Biology is certainly a hard major but not quite as difficult as other STEM majors such as physics or chemistry. Most students find a biology degree difficult to pursue because it has an extensive syllabus, lots of lab work, several challenging concepts, unfamiliar vocabulary, and lots of things to memorize.

The BEST PRE-MED MAJOR | Proven By Med School Acceptance Data

37 related questions found

Should I major in biology or chemistry?

A biology major will be more likely to put you in the classroom or in the field while chemistry will have you in the lab. There's also the question of motivation. Certainly not always, but generally speaking, biology tends to be about the study and protection of living things.

Is biology the same as pre-med?

Pre-med is a college track, a set of courses you agree to take as prerequisite courses for medical school. ... Most pre-med students choose a major in the hard sciences like Biology, Chemistry, or Physics such that their pre-med courses also fulfill the course requirements for their major.

Is bio or chem better for med school?

Some specialties are better suited to biological study, while others are better suited to chemical studies. Undergraduates who major in chemistry could ultimately specialize in fields such as nuclear medicine, medical testing or genetic engineering.

What percent of biology majors are pre-med?

Based on the AAMC data, the most popular major for medical school matriculants was biological sciences (54 percent of total matriculants).

Is biology a major?

A biology major studies the science behind living organisms. This includes the origin and history of animal and plant life, and their characteristics, function, processes and habits.

What's the easiest pre-med major?

Applicants majoring in the physical sciences make up 8.83% of all candidates and enjoy a higher-than-average acceptance rate of 47.8%. So, if you're interested in the physical sciences, this may be the easiest pre-med major for you.

What do most doctors major in?

The most common majors were:
  • Biological sciences—12,845 total matriculants.
  • Physical sciences—2,240.
  • Social sciences—1,991.
  • Humanities—832.
  • Specialized health sciences—784.
  • Math and statistics—156.

What can you do with a biology degree if you don't get into medical school?

Medical School Alternatives for Biology Majors
  1. Education (public or private)
  2. Health/biology content writing.
  3. Food science.
  4. Environmental science.
  5. Forensic science.
  6. Biological research assistant.
  7. Biomedical engineer.
  8. Biotechnology (including consulting, marketing, research and development, and bioprocessing)

What major should I choose to be a surgeon?

Generally, the subjects that are widely considered to be the best majors for surgeons include science topics like human physiology, biology, health sciences, chemistry and biomedical sciences and bioengineering.

What major is easy for medical school?

According to the latest data released by AAMC, the top 3 majors with the highest acceptance rates are Physical Sciences, Math and Statistics, and Humanities.

Is biomedical science good for pre-med?

Biomedical engineering is the most natural course of study to get you into medical school and guide you towards a rich and exciting medical career. There may be an easier way to become a physician or health professional, but as a high achiever, you'd rather do it the right way.

Does majoring in biology help with MCAT?

In sum, there is no general “best major” for pre-med students. Studying biology does not appear to translate into the highest across-the-board MCAT score, nor do admissions committees desire to fill their incoming classes purely with biology majors. That being said, biology will certainly be the best major for some.

Is biology harder than chemistry major?

The easy answer is yes, chemistry is harder than biology. I don't have a quantifiable reason, but from my experience in college and from teaching chemistry and biology in high school, students find the math needed for chemistry to be challenging and it requires higher levels of critical reasoning.

Is it smart to major in biology?

General biology degrees can be good choices for people who want to keep their options open as they advance their studies. They may also be good for students interested in joining the medical field. If your interests are strongly drawn to a specific area, however, you may want to consider specializing.

What is the highest paying job for a biology degree?

Highest-paying biology jobs
  1. Health communications specialist. National average salary: $57,530 per year. ...
  2. Microbiologist. National average salary: $64,925 per year. ...
  3. Pharmaceutical sales representative. ...
  4. Respiratory therapist. ...
  5. Environmental scientist. ...
  6. Registered nurse. ...
  7. Physical therapist assistant. ...
  8. Genetic counselor.

What can I do in the medical field with a biology degree?

Best Jobs for Graduates With a Biology Degree
  • Biological Technician. ...
  • Biochemist. ...
  • Genetic Counselor. ...
  • Health Communications Specialist. ...
  • Health Educator. ...
  • Pharmaceutical / Medical Product Sales Representative. ...
  • Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner. ...
  • Medical and Health Services Manager.

What's the difference between BA and BS in biology?

The main difference between a BA and a BS in Biology is the flexibility in undergraduate coursework. The BA degree often allows more room for outside electives. ... BS students typically take fewer general education requirements and more science and math courses. Additionally, BS students have the option to specialize.

Is premed a major?

A pre-med program is designed to cover all the science and laboratory requirements needed for continued education in medicine or healthcare. Pre-med is not a major itself but rather a program that ensures students take all the required classes needed to apply for medical school.

What is a human biology major?

What Is a Human Biology Major? Human biology majors obtain a background in the biological sciences and related fields with a focus on health and human development. This is a separate program from a traditional biology major, which is broader and includes education on plants and animals in addition to humans.