Pre-Health in IB

IB majors are highly competitive in gaining admission to professional schools, including medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. After this additional schooling, jobs are numerous and bring a comfortable salary. While you can gain admission to a professional school via a wide variety of majors, many students choose to major in Integrative Biology because our courses prepare students well for the necessary admissions test (i.e. MCAT, DAT, GRE) and also provide a solid foundation for the demands of future schooling. Most pre-health requirements are either required for the IB major or can be used as advanced IB courses in the major. Therefore, very little course work outside the IB major is needed to fulfill the prerequisites for health programs.

As a pre-med student, IB allows me to explore all of biology. Many aspects of medicine are integrative and not constrained to the molecular or cellular level.
—Matt, IB graduate

For more information, please refer to the course listings and handouts below, or make an appointment with our advisors.

Alumni Mentors
Career Center Pre-Health
Pre-Health in IB Requirements
Career Connections
IB Curriculum Courses Generally Required for a Variety of Health Professional Schools

Introductory Courses

  • IB 150 Organismal and Evolutionary Biology
  • MCB 150 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life

Core Courses

  • IB 202 Anatomy and Physiology
  • IB 203 Ecology
  • IB 204 Genetics
  • IB 302 Evolution

Suggested Advanced Courses

(1 in each of 2 areas; 14 hours minimum including at least 1 lab course*)

Area 1 Organismal and Evolutionary Biology

  • IB 360 Evolution and Human Health
  • IB 462 Mammalogy*

Area 2 Behavior, Ecology, and the Environment

  • IB 329 Animal Behavior
  • IB 361 Ecology and Human Health
  • IB 430 Animal Behavior Lab*
  • IB 432 Genes and Behavior
  • IB 481 Vector-borne Diseases*

Area 3 Integrative Anatomy, Physiology, and Molecular Biology

  • IB 303 Anatomy*
  • IB 364 Genomics and Human Health
  • IB 426 Environmental and Evolutionary Physiology of Animals
  • IB 434 Physical Principles in Biology*
  • IB 435 Critical Evaluation of Herbal Remedies

Additional Approved Advanced

  • MCB 300 Microbiology
  • MCB 450 Introductory Biochemistry

* Denotes course with laboratory or field component.

Pre-Health Professional School Requirements by Career Goal Built Into the IB Curriculum

IB & Pre-Health Requirements 

This chart depicts how the requirements of the Integrative Biology curriculum meet or exceed the prerequisites for entrance into most health-related professional schools. However, it is still the students responsibility to look at specific requirements for the schools that they plan to apply to. 

Pre-Health Requirements & IB Chart
Course PA MED DENT PHARM RN VET MED OPT CREDIT HOURS IB CURRICULUM WHAT IT FULFILLS
IB 150 & MCB 150 X X X X X X X 8 X Foundational
Chemistry 102/103 X X X X X X X 4 X Foundational
 Chemistry 104/105 X X X X X X X 4 X Foundational
 Chemistry 232/233 X X X X   X X 6 X Foundational
Orgo 2 CHEM 332   SR SR X   Maybe   4 Elective or Minor Minor/Option
Biochem MCB 450 X X X X   X X 3 Optional ADV ADV IB Option
Microbio MCB 300 X   X X X Maybe X 3 Optional ADV ADV IB Option
Microbio Lab MCB 301/101 X   X   X   Maybe 3 or 2 Elective Elective
Psychology 100 X SR SR X X   X 4 Gen Ed Gen Ed
Sociology 100 X SR SR X X     4 Gen Ed Gen Ed
Physics 101 & 102   X X X   X   10 X Foundational
Genetics IB 204  X X X     X   4 X Core 
Physiology IB 202 X X X     X X 4 X Core 

Human A&P I&II (MCB 244, 245, 246, 247)

 X   May Prefer X X     10 Elective Elective
Comparative Anat IB 303   X MAYBE     X X 4 Optional ADV ADV IB/A3/LAB
Calculus MATH 220    X           5 X Foundational
Statistics STATS 212 X X   X X X X 3 X Foundational
Additional Specific Courses CLCV 102       FSHN 120 CHEM 312        
Additional Specific Courses         HDFS 105 CHEM 317        
Additional Specific Courses                    
Additional Specific Courses                    
                     
                     

 

Additional Course Requirements Outside of the IB Curriculum by Career Goal

Physician Assistant Programs

Courses listed here are either an option within the advanced IB course requirement or will only count as elective credit outside of the standard IB curriculum. Reminder it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not widely required therefore not outlined here.

MCB 450 - Biochemistry (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
MCB 244/245 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (Elective)
MCB 246/247 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (Elective)
MCB 300 - Microbiology (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
MCB 301 or 101 - Microbiology Lab (Elective)
CLCV 102 - Medical Terminology (8 Week Online Course) (Elective)
PSYC 100 - Intro to Psychology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)
SOC 100 - Intro to Sociology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)

Medical School

Courses listed here are either an option within the advanced IB course requirement or will only count as elective credit outside of the standard IB curriculum. Reminder it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not widely required therefore not outlined here.

MCB 450 - Biochemistry (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
IB 303 - Comparative Anatomy (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II (May be required for some programs) (Elective)
PSYC 100 - Intro to Psychology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)
SOC 100 - Intro to Sociology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)

Dental School

Courses listed here are either an option within the advanced IB course requirement or will only count as elective credit outside of the standard IB curriculum. Reminder it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not widely required therefore not outlined here.

MCB 450 - Biochemistry (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II (Maybe required) (Elective)
Anatomy:
IB 303 - Comparative Anatomy (Optional Required Advanced Elective) OR
MCB 244/245 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
& MCB 246/247 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (Elective)
MCB 300 - Microbiology (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
MCB 301 or 101 - Microbiology Lab (Elective)
PSYC 100 - Intro to Psychology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)
SOC 100 - Intro to Sociology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)

Pharmacy School

Courses listed here are either an option within the advanced IB course requirement or will only count as elective credit outside of the standard IB curriculum. Reminder it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not widely required therefore not outlined here.

MCB 450 - Biochemistry (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II (Maybe required) (Elective)
MCB 244/245 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (Elective)
& MCB 246/247 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (Elective)
MCB 300 - Microbiology (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
PSYC 100 - Intro to Psychology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)
SOC 100 - Intro to Sociology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)
CMN 101 - Public Speaking (Elective)

Nursing School

Courses listed here are either an option within the advanced IB course requirement or will only count as elective credit outside of the standard IB curriculum. Reminder it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not widely required therefore not outlined here.

MCB 244/245 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (Elective)
& MCB 246/247 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (Elective)
MCB 300 - Microbiology (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
MCB 301 or 101 - Microbiology Lab (Elective)
PSYC 100 - Intro to Psychology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)
SOC 100 - Intro to Sociology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)
FSHN 120 - Nutrition (Elective)
HDFS 105 - Intro to Human Development (Elective)

Veterinary School

Courses listed here are either an option within the advanced IB course requirement or will only count as elective credit outside of the standard IB curriculum. Reminder it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not widely required therefore not outlined here.

MCB 450 - Biochemistry (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
IB 303 - Comparative Anatomy (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
MCB 300 - Microbiology (Maybe required)
CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II (Maybe required)

Potentially Required (Some schools will accept Gen Chem I&II as inorganic chemistry)
CHEM 312 - Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 317 - Inorganic Chemistry Lab

Optometry School

Courses listed here are either an option within the advanced IB course requirement or will only count as elective credit outside of the standard IB curriculum. Reminder it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not widely required therefore not outlined here.

MCB 450 - Biochemistry (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
IB 303 - Comparative Anatomy (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
MCB 300 - Microbiology (Optional Required Advanced Elective)
MCB 301 or 101 - Microbiology Lab (Maybe required) (Elective)
PSYC 100 - Intro to Psychology (Social Behavioral Science Gen Ed)

Examples of Typical Semester Course Sequences by Career Goal

Integrative Biology offers a strong foundation of biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, genetics, and more, making it a great options when it comes to a wide variety of medically related career fields.  

Below we have a few sample course sequences for some specific medical professional careers. These sample sequences were created to highlight the general additional requirements for admissions to each specific professional school and to give a general timeline to get there.

Keep in mind that there are other variables that may change your academic plan such as minors, double majors, major changes, or being a transfer student. If you fall into that category please consult your academic advisor and consider making a multi-semester plan. Additionally, be aware that it is the responsibility of the student to double check all professional school requirements for the schools they plan to attend, as some schools have additional requirements not outlined on the plan. 

- IB Advising 

IB + Medical School

IB Pre-Med Sample Sequence

Year One
Semester 1: Fall Courses       Semester 2: Spring Courses       
IB 150 or MCB 150   4   IB 150 or MCB 150   4  
CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103    3-4   CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105    4  
MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105    3-5   MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105   3-5  
PSYC 100 or SOC 100   4   PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE   3  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-16hrs  

 

Year Two
Semester 3: Fall Courses       Semester 4: Spring Courses       
IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp)   4   IB 202 Physiology   4  
IB 204 Genetics   4   IB 203 Evolution   4  
CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232    4   CHEM 232 or CHEM 233   2-4  
Gen Ed or Elective   3-4   Stats 212, Math 220, Gen Ed, or Elective    3-5  
Total Hours:    15-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-17hrs  

 

Year Three
Semester 5: Fall Courses       Semester 6: Spring Courses       
IB 303 Anatomy (A3, Adv LAB)   4   MCB 450 (Adv. IB)   3  
PHYS 101   5   PHYS 102    5  
Gen Ed or CHEM 332   3-4   Gen Ed or LOTE   3-4  
Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective   3-4   Gen Ed or Elective   3  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    14-15hrs  

 

Year Four
Semester 7: Fall Courses       Semester 8: Spring Courses       
Advanced IB Course   3-4   Advanced IB Course   3  
Advanced IB Course   3-4   Gen Ed or Adv CHEM (Minor)   3  
Gen Ed or Elective    3   Elective   3  
Gen Ed or Elective   3   Elective    3  
Total Hours:    12-14hrs   Total Hours:    12hrs  

IB + Physician Assistant

IB Pre-Physician Assistant Sample Sequence

Year One
Semester 1: Fall Courses       Semester 2: Spring Courses       
IB 150 or MCB 150   4   IB 150 or MCB 150   4  
CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103    3-4   CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105    4  
MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105    3-5   MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105   3-5  
PSYC 100 or SOC 100   4   PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE   3  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-16hrs  

 

Year Two
Semester 3: Fall Courses       Semester 4: Spring Courses       
IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp)   4   IB 202 Physiology   4  
IB 204 Genetics   4   IB 203 Evolution   4  
CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232    4   CHEM 232 & 233 or Elective   3-6  
CHEM 233, Gen Ed or Elective   3-4   Gen Ed or Elective    3  
Total Hours:    15-16hrs   Total Hours:    14-17hrs  

 

Year Three
Semester 5: Fall Courses       Semester 6: Spring Courses       
Advanced IB Course    3-4   MCB 450 (Adv. IB)   3  
PHYS 101   5   PHYS 102    5  
MCB 244/245 (Human A&P)    5   MCB 246/247 (Human A&P)   5  
Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective   3-4   Gen Ed or Elective   3  
Total Hours:    14-18hrs   Total Hours:    16hrs  

 

Year Four
Semester 7: Fall Courses       Semester 8: Spring Courses       
Advanced IB Course    3   Advanced IB LAB Course   4  
MCB 300 or MCB 100   3   MCB 301 or MCB 101    2-3  
Adv. IB Course or Elective    3   CLCV 102 (ONL)   3  
Gen Ed or Elective   3   Elective   3  
Total Hours:    12-14hrs   Total Hours:    12-13hrs  

IB + Dental School

IB Pre-Dental Sample Sequence

Year One
Semester 1: Fall Courses       Semester 2: Spring Courses       
IB 150 or MCB 150   4   IB 150 or MCB 150   4  
CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103    3-4   CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105    4  
MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105    3-5   MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105   3-5  
PSYC 100 or SOC 100   4   PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE   3  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-16hrs  

 

Year Two
Semester 3: Fall Courses       Semester 4: Spring Courses       
IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp)   4   IB 202 Physiology   4  
IB 204 Genetics   4   IB 203 Evolution   4  
CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232    4   CHEM 232 & 233 or CHEM 332   4-6  
CHEM 233, Gen Ed, or Elective   2-3   Gen Ed or Elective    3  
Total Hours:    14-15hrs   Total Hours:    15-17hrs  

 

Year Three
Semester 5: Fall Courses       Semester 6: Spring Courses       
IB 303 Anatomy (A3, Adv LAB)   4   MCB 450 (Adv. IB)   3  
PHYS 101   5   PHYS 102    5  
Gen Ed or CHEM 332   3-4   Gen Ed or LOTE   3-4  
Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective   3-4   Gen Ed or Elective   3  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    14-15hrs  

 

Year Four
Semester 7: Fall Courses       Semester 8: Spring Courses       
MCB 300 (Adv. IB)   3   Advanced IB Course   3-4  
Advanced IB Course or Elective    3-4   Gen Ed or Adv CHEM (Minor)   3  
MCB 301, 101 (2hrs), Gen Ed, or Elective    3   Elective   3  
Gen Ed or Elective   3   Elective    3  
Total Hours:    12-13hrs   Total Hours:    12-13hrs  

IB + Genetic Counseling

IB Genetics Sample Sequence

Year One
Semester 1: Fall Courses       Semester 2: Spring Courses       
IB 150 or MCB 150   4   IB 150 or MCB 150   4  
CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103    3-4   CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105    4  
MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105    3-5   MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105   3-5  
PSYC 100 or LOTE   4   PSYC 100 or LOTE   3-4  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-16hrs  

 

Year Two
Semester 3: Fall Courses       Semester 4: Spring Courses       
IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp)   4   IB 202 Physiology   4  
IB 204 Genetics   4   IB 203 Evolution   4  
CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232    4   CHEM 232 & 233   4-6  
CHEM 233, Gen Ed, or Elective   2-3   Gen Ed or Elective    3  
Total Hours:    14-15hrs   Total Hours:    15-17hrs  

 

Year Three
Semester 5: Fall Courses       Semester 6: Spring Courses       
Advanced IB Course   3-4   MCB 450 (Adv. IB)   3  
PHYS 101   5   PHYS 102    5  
Gen Ed or Elective   3   Gen Ed or LOTE   3-4  
Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective   3-4   Gen Ed or Elective   3  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    14-15hrs  

 

Year Four
Semester 7: Fall Courses       Semester 8: Spring Courses       
ADV Genetics Course: MCB 316   4   Advanced IB Course: IB 432 (A2)    3  
Advanced IB Course or Elective    3-4   Advanced IB Course: IB 416   3  
Gen Ed or Elective    3   Elective   3  
Gen Ed or Elective   3   Elective    3  
Total Hours:    13-14hrs   Total Hours:    12hrs  

IB + Forensic Science (Pathology)

IB Forensics Sample Sequence

Year One
Semester 1: Fall Courses       Semester 2: Spring Courses       
IB 150 or MCB 150   4   IB 150 or MCB 150   4  
CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103    3-4   CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105    4  
MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105    3-5   MATH 115, MATH 220/1, STATS 212 or RHET 105   3-5  
PSYC 100 or SOC 100   4   PSYC 100, SOC 100, or LOTE   3-4  
Total Hours:    14-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-17hrs  

 

Year Two
Semester 3: Fall Courses       Semester 4: Spring Courses       
IB 203 Ecology (Adv. Comp)   4   IB 202 Physiology   4  
IB 204 Genetics   4   IB 203 Evolution   4  
CHEM 104 & 105 or CHEM 232    4   CHEM 232 or CHEM 233 or CHEM 332   2-4  
CHEM 233, Gen Ed, or Elective   3-4   SOC 275 Criminology     3  
Total Hours:    15-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-15hrs  

 

Year Three
Semester 5: Fall Courses       Semester 6: Spring Courses       
IB 303 Anatomy (A3, Adv LAB)   4   MCB 450 (Adv. IB)   3  
PHYS 101   5   PHYS 102    5  
Gen Ed or CHEM 332   3-4   Gen Ed or LOTE   3-4  
Gen Ed, LOTE, or Elective   3-4   ANTH 246 Forensic Science   4  
Total Hours:    14-17hrs   Total Hours:    15-16hrs  

 

Year Four
Semester 7: Fall Courses       Semester 8: Spring Courses       
Advanced IB Course   3-4   Advanced IB Course: IB 481 (A2, LAB, SP Even)    3-4  
Advanced IB Course   3-4   Gen Ed or Adv CHEM (Minor)   3  
SOC 375 Criminal Justice   3   Elective   3  
Gen Ed or Elective   3   Elective    3  
Total Hours:    12-14hrs   Total Hours:    12-13hrs  

IBH + Medical School

IB Honors Pre-Med Sample Sequence

Year One
Semester 1: Fall Courses       Semester 2: Spring Courses       
IB 150 or MCB 150   4   IB 150 or MCB 150   4  
CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 & 103    3-4   CHEM 102 & 103 or CHEM 104 & 105    4  
MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105    3-5   MATH 115, MATH 220/1, or RHET 105   3-5  
Gen Ed, PSYC 100, or SOC 100   3-4   Gen Ed, PSYC 100, or SOC 100   3-4  
Total Hours:    13-17hrs   Total Hours:    14-17hrs  

 

Year Two
Semester 3: Fall Courses       Semester 4: Spring Courses       
IB 270   5   IB 271   5  
CHEM 232 & 233   6   Elective, MATH 231 or IB 494 (SP Even)   4  
IB 303 Anatomy   4   CHEM 332   4  
        Gen Ed or Elective    3  
Total Hours:    15hrs   Total Hours:    16hrs  

 

Year Three
Semester 5: Fall Courses       Semester 6: Spring Courses       
IB 372   5   Advanced IB Course   3  
PHYS 101 or PHYS 211   4-5   PHYS 102 or PHYS 212   4-5  
MCB 450   3   Elective or IB 494 (SP Even)    3-4  
Gen Ed, Elective, or IB 390   3   Elective or IB 390   3  
Total Hours:    15-16hrs   Total Hours:    13-14hrs  

 

Year Four
Semester 7: Fall Courses       Semester 8: Spring Courses       
Advanced IB Course   3-4   Elective or IB 494 (SP Even)   3-4  
400 Level Stats   4   Elective ADV PHYS (if needed)   3-4  
IB 490    3   ADV CHEM (Minor), Gen Ed, or Elective    3  
Gen Ed  or Elective    3   IB 490    3  
Total Hours:    13-14hrs   Total Hours:    12-14hrs  

UIUC Pre-Health Canvas Page: For Anyone Going into Healthcare

This page has a pre-req database, leads for getting patient care hours and other experiences, health related RSOs, gap year info, and more. Plus, they send you emails with upcoming opportunities and important announcements like the priority waitlist for A&P and Microbiology.
Enroll in Canvas Pre-Health Page
IB is here for you, now and after you graduate!

Career Connections

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