Planning Your Classes

Courses help you meet pre-requisites and prepare for standardized tests. The order in which you take prehealth courses can vary and is often influenced by major interests. Most prehealth students will begin with Chemistry and Calculus, then add Biology and then Physics. Chemistry and Calculus are good introductions to logical thought and the development of study skills. Biology is added next and topics covered may apply to patient engagement and research. Prospective Physics, Biophysics and Chemistry majors should check websites and confer with these departments, as Physics classes should be scheduled earlier. Unless you plan to major in Statistics, we recommend waiting until you know your major before enrolling in a statistics class.  English/Writing, Psychology and Medical Sociology courses can be taken at any time.  Some pathways may not require all of these classes or require additional classes.  Learning about schools early in your preparation will help you know with clarity what courses, entry exams, and other activities you will need to prepare a strong application.

Pratt students should follow engineering schedules, refer to their Undergraduate Handbook and the sample schedules specific to your major, especially sample schedules for prehealth students. You will need to pay attention to scheduling the Liberal Arts Electives and use them to complete English/Writing, Psychology and Medical Sociology courses.  When you schedule a prehealth meeting with us, bring the draft of your Pratt schedule with you so we can use it as a basis for discussion and advice on courses, requirements, and planning.

Resources for Registration: Prehealth Tips for Fall Classes and Duke Courses for Prehealth

CHEMISTRY and BIOCHEMISTRY - complete one series of courses based on course placement

• Chemistry 99D, 101DL, 201DL, 202L, 210DL, Biochemistry 301
• Chemistry 101DL, 201DL, 202L, 210DL, Biochemistry 301
• Chemistry 20 (AP), 110DL, 201DL, 202L, Biochemistry 301
• Chemistry 20 (AP), 110DL, 201DL, 202L, 210DL, Biochemistry 301
• Chemistry 21 (AP), 201DL, 202L, Biochemistry 301 
• Chemistry 21 (AP), 201DL, 202L, 210DL, Biochemistry 301

Note: AP credits may or may not be accepted.  

MATH - complete one course in Calculus I

• Math 21 (Calculus I by AP credit)
• Math 105L + 106L (Calculus I spread over two semesters)
• Math 111L (Calculus I in one semester)
• Math 121 (Calculus I by transfer)

Note: The combination of Calculus I and Statistics will serve as a year of math, fulfilling most health profession school requirements. However, you may need additional Calculus courses for some majors and a few schools.

BIOLOGY - complete two Biology courses with lab (some schools may require more than 2 courses or have specific requirements like Anatomy & Physiology or Microbiology)

• Biology 201L + 202L + Physiology (Trinity)
• Biology 201L + BME 244L (Pratt)

Note: Check school requirements for additional requirements or specific courses in Biology.  It will be difficult to take all recommended biology courses, but pay attention to schools which require additional courses.  Physiology is recommended for MCAT preparation.

PHYSICS - complete two Physics courses with lab

• Physics 121L + 122L (Trinity students); 151L + 152L (Pratt students); or 161D/164L + 162D/165L (Physics majors) or
• Physics 25 (AP) and 122L/152L/162L or
• Physics 26 (AP) and 121L/151L/162L or
• Physics 25 and 26 (AP) - enroll in 121L or 122L (Trinity); Pratt students follow Pratt guidelines.  We recommend you take at least one college-level physics course, if you have 2 AP credits.

Note: Most professional schools do not require calculus-based physics.  Some Optometry programs do require calculus-based physics.

STATISTICS - complete one course

• Statistics 101L, 102L, 198L or 199L
• Psychology 204L & 205L is an option for Psych majors, but you need to take both courses
• Sociology 333

Note: Before choosing a statistics course, consider your major and the Trinity curriculum QS or QC requirements. One of the QS courses must be taught in the Math, Computer Science or Statistics Departments. If you have AP credit in Math and do not intend to take any Math or Computer Science courses here, then a wise choice is to take Statistics 101, 102, 198 or 199, as they will also count toward the QS requirement. Your second QS course usually comes from your Physics course. Some programs require that statistics courses be taken in the statistics or math departments. Check your intended schools before enrolling in SOC 333 or Psychology sequence.

PSYCHOLOGY - choose one course

• PSY 101, PSY 106/107 (cross-listed Neuroscience 101) or other course that addresses the behavioral determinants of health

If needed:

• Developmental: PSY 103
• Clinical (Abnormal): PSY 105

MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY - choose one course

• Choose a course that addresses the social determinants of health.  The minor in medical sociology is a great starting place for ideas.

ENGLISH - 2 English/Writing courses

• Writing 101/120 and English/W or WR-coded course

Notes on Courses:

Pratt Students: Enroll in Physics 151L, 152L instead of Physics 121L, 122L. Biology 201L or serves as your first Biology lab course. BME 244L will be your second Biology lab course.  BME 244L also provides a background in Physiology and Statistics, so you do not need to take coursework in Physiology or Statistics unless you wish to do so. Check school policies on double-counting courses.  Follow Pratt guidelines on AP credit in Physics.  Use Liberal Arts Electives to take Psychology, Medical Sociology and English/Writing Intensive courses.

Humanities and Social Sciences: Many health professions schools recommend or require a background in the humanities and social sciences, so we encourage you to take additional coursework in these areas.  These courses can meet distribution requirements in Trinity and electives in Pratt.

AP credit will usually satisfy admissions requirements. If you have AP credit, we recommend you bypass courses you have credit for and go on to more advanced courses, following placement guidelines by departments.

There are a few schools that will not accept AP credit for a required course, or will accept it but ask for an additional, advanced course. Check individual school requirements for more details. 

Students pursuing clinically-oriented healthcare professions should focus on building a broad and rigorous academic foundation. While specific prerequisites vary by profession and program, successful applicants develop strong scientific knowledge, an understanding of human behavior and society, and the ability to think critically across disciplines.

Course requirements will vary widely from school to school. Plan to utilize resources available in the Health Careers page to become familiar with what schools in your chosen program require as part of their admissions process.

Natural Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning. Courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biochemistry provide the scientific foundation for understanding human health, disease, diagnostics, and treatment. These subjects also help prepare students for admission exams such as the MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GRE, and other profession-specific assessments.

Understanding People and Communities. Courses in psychology, sociology, and related social sciences help students understand how individuals, families, and communities experience health and healthcare. These subjects provide important foundations for patient communication, cultural humility, health equity, and many topics assessed on healthcare admission exams.

Communication, Ethics, and Critical Thinking. The humanities—including writing, literature, philosophy, ethics, history, languages, and the arts—help students become stronger communicators and thoughtful decision-makers. Exposure to multiple ways of thinking strengthens skills needed to evaluate complex situations, navigate ethical questions, and care for diverse patient populations.

Healthcare in a Broader Context. Healthcare professionals work within complex systems. Coursework in public health, health policy, law, economics, and related fields can deepen understanding of access to care, social determinants of health, population health, and the factors that influence health outcomes beyond the clinical setting.

Beyond the Prerequisites

Professional programs seek applicants who can master scientific concepts, communicate effectively, think critically, work with diverse populations, and adapt to a rapidly changing healthcare environment. A well-rounded education not only supports success on prerequisite coursework and admission exams but also helps students develop the knowledge, perspectives, and skills needed to become compassionate and effective healthcare professionals.

Taking a few prehealth courses away from Duke can be useful in the right circumstances. It can give you more time at Duke for courses in your major, allow development of a second interest, lighten your course load, and allow more time for activities and experiences. We recommend the following: 

• Plan to take most of your prehealth requirements at Duke so that health professions schools will know that you've received a sound foundation in the sciences. Summer school at Duke or the Duke Marine Laboratory is always acceptable.
• If you take a course or courses away, choose a four-year college or university that offers rigorous classes - state universities are fine in this regard.
• Do NOT take required prehealth courses outside of the U.S.; health professions schools will routinely not accept these. You can take other science courses abroad, especially if these apply to your major. We also discourage enrollment in community college courses or online classes. Many health professions schools will not accept them. You also cannot transfer these courses to Duke.
• You may choose to transfer a course back to Duke so it appears on your Duke transcript (the course appears, but not the grade).  Trinity students can transfer 2 course credits and Pratt students can transfer 4 credits. However, if a course is not necessary for your major or a requirement at Duke, you can choose NOT to transfer it to Duke. When you apply to health professions schools, you are required to send transcripts from all U.S. colleges and universities that you've enrolled in, so health professions schools will see courses and grades, regardless of whether a course is transferred to Duke or not.
• Do not take a course elsewhere and then return and repeat it at Duke. While this may seem like a good way to prepare for a difficult course, it is against Duke policy and health profession schools will see it as a lack of confidence. If you are worried about a particular course(s), talk with your Prehealth Advisor so that you can develop a workable plan.

It is possible to major in any academic discipline and still complete the science courses required for health professions schools. Schools do not prefer any major. You should focus on whatever area you find exciting and appealing. Some students will choose to major in the social sciences or humanities, and complete just the basic science requirements, reasoning that this will be the only time they can study a non-science area in depth. Other students choose science or math because it is their greatest interest. 

Adding minors and/or certificate is common, but we discourage double majors. It can be difficult to work in all the courses needed for two majors, you often have to enroll in courses you are not very interested in, and a double major is not valued by health professions schools.  Instead, to be a competitive applicant, take challenging courses that further your interests and talents and that allow you to see an area of interest from many different perspectives.

If you are an athlete, the Office of Health Professions Advising is here to support you.  While scheduling prehealth courses around practice sessions can be a challenge and you may need to modify your course schedules to accommodate being in season or to fit in experiences, you are also developing characteristics valued by health professions.  Like most prehealth students, athletes will spread their prehealth coursework over four years, apply to health professions schools after graduation and take one or more gap years.  Some athletes (including those who desire to play their sport professionally following college) will choose to take most of the required courses for health professions after graduation through a postbaccalaureate program.  While student-athletes have great academic support, your academic coordinator or enrichment programs are not a replacement for early and often engagement with your Duke prehealth advisor.  The HPA team is committed to helping you shape your strengths and talents into becoming prepared for service in a health career.