The Pre-Health Curriculum: Beyond Math & Science
Posted on September 25, 2007 e
Filed Under Premedical Students
By Sneha Mantri
SDN Staff Writer
For any college student, finding interesting courses to fulfill graduation requirements can be a difficult task. For pre-health students, choices have historically been limited; humanities courses were often perceived as having little in common with the health professions. Recently, however, undergraduate institutions have begun to reflect the general trend toward the integrationnot the separationof health and the humanities.
The AAMC report Hot Topics in Medical Education (
http://services.aamc.org/currdir/sec
5hottopics.pdf) notes growing humanities instruction in allopathic medical schools. Of the 125 allopathic medical schools in the U.S., 124 require courses in medical ethics, 100 require medical socioeconomics, and 89 teach medical humanities to all students. Similar curriculum changes are taking place in all health professional schools. Additionally, health professional schools usually require a years study in English literature or composition before matriculation, and many recommend additional humanities courses.
In response to both these academic/professional trends and student demand, many universities now offer health-related non-science courses for undergraduates. Got questions about your options? This article will answer them.
