Basic Science Prerequisites for Undergraduate Medicine
Applicants must have successfully completed, by the appropriate deadlines (see Note), all of the following at a college or university level:
- Biology / Biological Sciences: a minimum six (6) credits of introductory coursework, with labs;
- Chemistry: a minimum six (6) credits of general (or physical) chemistry coursework, with labs; a minimum three (3) credits of organic chemistry coursework, with labs;
- Physics: a minimum six (6) credits of introductory coursework, with labs;
Grades of 鈥淧ass/Fail鈥� (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) or of similar schema are not acceptable in coursework (numerical or letter-class grades are required), with the exception of courses completed in the Winter 2020 semester, which was disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Academic performance in these courses will be considered; distance or correspondence education courses may be acceptable and at the discretion of the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences).
Notes:
- All basic science prerequisite courses鈥攗ndertaken either in college, university, or acceptable pre-university alternatives as described in the requirements, see Prerequisite Science Courses for MDCM Applicants鈥攎ust meet a minimum grade requirement. The GPA is not weighted in the selection process, and up to three courses can be in progress (i.e., in the Fall or Winter term) and must be submitted no later than May 31. Transcripts for these outstanding courses must be received by the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) no later than May 31, prior to beginning program.
- Though not required, university-level courses in physiology, molecular biology, and cell biology and metabolism are strongly recommended. Knowledge of statistics and genetics is also useful in the context of the M.D.,C.M. curriculum.
- Acceptable alternatives to the basic science prerequisites include: Advanced Levels (UK System), IBO Courses (Higher Level), French Baccalaureate ann茅e Terminale, S茅rie S or sp茅cialisation courses, and AP results (College Board, Inc.). See mcgill.ca/transfercredit/prospective for accepted equivalencies.
- Candidates seeking a substitution for the basic sciences are encouraged to contact the admissions office between June and September of the year they wish to apply to Medicine. In general, higher level or specialized science courses are not substituted for missing the introductory requirements. Requests for substitutions are considered in the case of programs whose introductory courses are atypical or other special cases.
- The Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office reserves the right not to consider requests for exemption or substitution for basic sciences after September 30.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2024-2025 (last updated Sep. 26, 2023) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences—2024-2025 (last updated Sep. 26, 2023) (disclaimer)
