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Human Medicine

Medical professionals study, diagnose, prevent and treat the numerous forms of illness and injury which cause human suffering. Careers may involve direct patient care, research, teaching and administration. Professional training consists of four years of study in a college of medicine to earn the doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree followed by three or more years in a hospital residency to receive training in a specialty such as family practice, pediatrics, general internal medicine and surgery. A doctor of osteopathy degree (D.O.) is awarded to those students who complete four years in an osteopathic medicine college before their residency. Students interested in medical research and teaching may apply for a medical school program that leads to a combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree. College preparation for this program should be strong in the biological, physical and mathematical sciences and include research experience.

All medical schools recommend a broad preprofessional education, and almost all students earn a bachelor's degree while taking the courses required for admission to medical school. The degree may be earned in any major area of study.

The courses required for admission to most medical schools are the following:

• English (ENGL 104, 105)
• Biology (BIOL 211, 211L and 212, 212L)
• General chemistry (CHEM 177, 177L and 178,178L)
• Organic chemistry (CHEM 331, 331L and 332, 332L)
• Mathematics (1 or 2 semesters of calculus, depending on medical school)
• General physics with laboratory (PHYS 111, 112 or PHYS 221, 222)
• Advanced biology (one course required by the University of Iowa College of Medicine; examples are BIOL 313, 314, 335, 351, 352. and 353,
• Biochemistry (required by a few medical schools outside Iowa, can be taken as BBMB 404 and 405, or 420)

In Iowa, students may study medicine at The University of Iowa in Iowa City or Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines. State-supported medical schools admit in-state residents preferentially while private schools usually take a large proportion of out-of-state students. Premedical students should plan to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during the spring of their junior year and submit the American Medical College Admission Service (AMCAS) application during the following summer. Applicants to osteopathic schools are also required to take the MCAT exam and submit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) application. Selection of medical school students is based upon high scholastic achievement and intellectual potential indicated by grades and MCAT scores. Information about personal and social characteristics provided by recommendations, interviews and autobiographical materials are also used to evaluate students. The Premed Club provides opportunities for students to meet other premed students and learn about the profession from practicing physicians.

For further information, consult the premed adviser in 102 Carrie Chapman Catt Hall, phone (515) 294-4831. Visit the AAMC's website at www.aamc.org for information about allopathic (M.D.) medical schools and the AACOM World website at www.aacom.org/ for information about osteopathic (D.O.) medical schools.