This page is devoted to the intricacies of scheduling classes. The particular examples chosen are for students interested in medical school, but many of the other health professions have similar requirements and similar scheduling concerns. Be sure to check with the appropriate HPAG member.

The required courses [terms offered F=fall, C=CentreTerm, S=spring] for medical school are:

• Two terms of biology with lab: BIO 110 [F/S] and 210 [F/S] (or another combination like BIO 110 and BIO 325)
• Two terms of general/inorganic chemistry with lab: CHE 131[F/S] and 132 [F/S] OR CHE 135 [F] and 250 [C]
• Two terms of organic chemistry with lab: CHE 241[F/S] and 341[F/S]
• Two terms of physics with lab: PHY 110 [F/S] and 210 [F] OR PHY 210 [F] and 230 [S]
• Two terms of college composition: HUM 110 [F] and 120 [S]
• One term of biochemistry is strongly recommended: BMB 210 [F/S]

A common question is: What's the difference between the chemistry and physics options? The CHE 135/250 sequence will prepare you better for the MCAT although the courses are more advanced than the CHE 131/132 general chemistry sequence. Similarly, the PHY 210/230 courses are better preparation for the MCAT compared to the PHY 110/210 sequence. (In the last five years the students who had PHY 110/210 had an average physical science score of 8.0 while those who had PHY 210/230 had an average of 10.9. Note that the physical science section of the MCAT also includes general chemistry. There may be other factors accounting for such a significant difference.) Be sure to read the course descriptions carefully!

A few notes about scheduling

• The two typical schedules shown below are to give you a general idea about what classes you could be taking and when you could take them.
• Your own circumstances and your choice of major will dictate what your actual schedule is.
• Any combination of BIO courses with lab will fulfill the BIO requirement. BMB courses will NOT fulfill the BIO requirement.
• The electives for the freshman and sophomore years were chosen at random--you will probably take different ones.
• You need to check prerequisites for all of the courses and the terms in which they are offered.
• Do NOT take medical school prerequisites PASS/FAIL since the medical school will want to see a grade for the course.
• If you take a course at another institution (summer school for instance) that grade will not factor into your Centre GPA, but it will factor into the GPA that the medical school will calculate.
• Pre-medical students tend to study abroad at the same percentage as all other students (~75%). You need to plan carefully to study abroad in a long term. You will especially need to pay attention to language requirements if you are planning to apply to the Strasbourg or Mexico programs.
• You will schedule classes in consultation with your academic advisor. Feel free to discuss your schedule with any member of the HPAG.

MCAT Timing
The format for the MCAT will be changing after the August 2006 test date to a computer-based exam. There will also be more dates available to take the MCAT (currently you can only take it in April or August). You can see more details here. Because it will be computer-based, you will get your scores back much faster (at least 30 days instead of the current 60 days). These changes should make it easier for you to study abroad in the spring of your junior year and take the MCAT when you get back.

Typical Freshman Schedule A

Typical Sophomore Schedule A

Typical Junior Schedule A

Typical Senior Schedule A

Typical Freshman Schedule B

Typical Sophomore Schedule B

Typical Junior Schedule B

Typical Senior Schedule B