Pre-med Prerequisites, Major/Second Major Planning, and Pathways Overview

Student Context and Objective

• Panther ID: $6548534$
• Student status: Freshman; just starting; aiming to understand prerequisites and plan for premed tracks.
• Advisor plan: Share prereq sheet, outline required courses, and guide scheduling; discuss potential second major in parallel with premed plan.
• Communication: Advisor to email prereq sheet to student; student provided FIU email: $jwels014@fiu.edu$.
• Conversational outcome: Decide whether to add a second major (Natural and Applied Sciences with a Medical Sciences track) and outline spring/fall course sequencing and long-term med-school pathways.

Major options and pathways toward medical school

• Core idea: Pre-med track typically requires a set of foundational science courses; many premed students also pursue a second major to demonstrate breadth and fulfill prerequisites for medical school programs, though this second major is optional if the primary major already encompasses or aligns with prereq requirements.
• Proposed second major: Natural and Applied Sciences with a Medical Sciences track (a premed-focused second major).
  • Rationale: A second major ensures that prereqs needed for medical school are fulfilled, even if they don’t align with the primary major’s degree requirements.
  • Flexibility: If the student later decides not to pursue premed, the second major can be removed; if kept, it can help demonstrate breadth and readiness for med programs.
  • Implementation: The advisor can add this second major; it will leverage overlapping prereqs so that courses already being taken contribute toward both majors.
• Important note on path choice:
  • Most students who pursue medicine end up applying to traditional medical schools (MD/DO). Alternative pathways (e.g., naturopathic) exist but have different prerequisites, licensing, and career trajectories.
  • The advisor discusses several options and resources to compare:
  • naturopathic pathways vs MD (allopathic) vs DO (osteopathic) pathways
  • AANMC list of accredited holistic health schools and the differences between naturopathic, MD, and DO pathways
  • Real-world implications: residency requirements for MD/DO, differences in training, and the typical timelines.
  • The advisor emphasizes that, in practice, most FIU students who go into medicine pursue MD or DO routes rather than naturopathic programs, though both exist as options to research.
• Timeline context for med school:
  • Regardless of path, the typical trajectory is a four-year undergraduate program followed by medical school and then residency.
  • The exact residency specialty depends on interests (e.g., primary care, holistic/functional medicine), and fellowship options exist after residency.
  • The advisor plans to share a medical-school pathway overview (including MCAT prep, timing, and application timeline) in future meetings.

Prerequisites and core course overview for medical school readiness

• Core required courses (regardless of medical specialty):
  • Gen Bio I and II with labs: $GenBio ext{ I}$, $GenBio ext{ II}$ with labs
  • Chem I and II with labs: $Chem ext{ I}$, $Chem ext{ II}$ with labs
  • Organic Chemistry I and II with labs: $Orgo ext{ I}$, $Orgo ext{ II}$ with labs
  • Physics I and II with labs: $Physics ext{ I}$, $Physics ext{ II}$ with labs
  • Biochemistry: $BCH ext{ 3,033}$ (noted as BCH 3,033 in the transcript)
  • Mathematics: at least two university-level math semesters; currently starting with $College Algebra$ and planning to add $Statistics$ or similar
  • Core chemistry sequence is sequential; chemistry courses are interdependent (see sequencing below)
• Sequencing and prerequisites details:
  • Chemistry prerequisites: $CollegeAlgebra$ is a prerequisite for Chem I; Chem I must be completed before Chem II; Chem II precedes Orgo I, which precedes Orgo II, which then precedes Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry prerequisite: Orgo II
  • Biology sequencing: $GenBio ext{ I}$ is not a prereq for $GenBio ext{ II}$; Gen Bio I can be taken any time prior to Gen Bio II
  • Overall chemistry timeline is long: a minimum of $5$ semesters of chemistry when including Orgo and Biochem in the sequence
• Chemistry sequencing and scheduling guidance:
  • Start chemistry early to avoid falling behind; the recommended long sequence is to begin in the spring term
  • Do not prefer summer chemistry due to FIU’s 6-week summer options; the advisor does not recommend summer chemistry
  • If student starts in spring, plausible sequencing is:
  • Spring: Gen Chem I with lab (and Bio II with lab as discussed) and continue with core requirements
  • Fall: Gen Chem II with lab; Orgo I cannot be taken before Chem II; plan to slot Genetics or Physiology in fall as a recommended elective
  • Framing the spring/fall plan:
  • Spring: Gen Chem I with lab + Gen Bio II with lab (as an example path)
  • Fall: Gen Chem II with lab + Orgo I (only after Chem II) may occur in a later term; in the fall you can prioritize Genetics or Physiology as strongly recommended courses
• Physics options and choice:
  • Two physics sequences: PHY 2xxx with/without calculus
  • The student should take the sequence without calculus: $PHY ext{ 2053}$ with $PHY ext{ 2048}$ lab
  • Physics without calculus is typically taken when Calc II is not part of the plan yet; physics with calculus would be taken later when calculus coursework is completed
• Strongly recommended (but not always required) courses to strengthen med-school competitiveness:
  • Genetics: prerequisite $Genetics$ requires $GenBio ext{ I}$; can be taken after GenBio I
  • Physiology: prerequisite similar to Genetics; adds depth for medical school preparation
  • Cell Biology: prerequisite $Genetics$; requires planning to fit into the schedule after Genetics
  • These courses are non-lab versions for cell biology, genetics, and physiology; labs are not required for these according to the advisor’s note
• Core curriculum and ancillary courses:
  • Writing and rhetoric, humanities, and social sciences are part of the core curriculum
  • Psychology and sociology: recommended; useful for MCAT (psych/soc section) and potentially overlapping with major requirements
  • The advisor notes that psychology/sociology might already be reflected on the required sheet or overlap with the major, so plan accordingly

Detailed plan for spring and fall semesters (initial guidance)

• Spring semester plan (as discussed):
  • $GenChem ext{ I}$ with lab
  • $Bio ext{ II}$ with lab
  • Continue core requirements and prerequisite planning (writing, humanities, social science, and premed prerequisites)
• Fall semester plan (as discussed):
  • $GenChem ext{ II}$ with lab
  • Optional: Biology/Physics overload or additional core requirements depending on the student’s workload and advisor guidance
  • Strongly consider adding Genetics or Physiology (non-lab versions) as recommended courses to strengthen med-school readiness
• Important sequencing constraints to remember:
  • Chemistry and Orgo sequences are strictly sequential; you cannot take Orgo I until after Chem II is completed
  • Because of the sequential nature, avoid delaying chemistry; the long-term plan is to take a chemistry course each semester to avoid falling behind
• Scheduling and communications:
  • The student will receive the prereq sheet via email and should keep it for reference
  • The advisor will email the sheet to the student; use the email on file to access the sheet
  • The student should check in with the advisor every semester and schedule follow-up appointments if needed to adjust the plan

Administrative steps for the second major addition

• Process to add the second major (Natural and Applied Sciences with a Medical Sciences track):
  • The advisor will submit the request to add the second major
  • Student will receive an email prompting approval within $10$ days; if not approved within this window, the request will cancel
  • Once added, the second major’s requirements will be aligned with the student’s courses so prereqs that don’t count for the primary major can still apply toward the second major
  • If the student later changes mind about premed, the second major can be removed; otherwise, it will continue to align with the premed track
• Ongoing coordination:
  • The advisor will monitor your progress and ensure you stay on track for both the primary major and the second major
  • Regular check-ins (at least once per semester) are recommended to ensure the schedule fits prerequisites, test prep timelines, and application planning

Med-school pathways: MD, DO, and naturopathic options discussed

• Traditional medical degrees (high-level overview from advisor):
  • MD (Allopathic): Typically involves medical school followed by residency; residency can be in various specialties; strong emphasis on allopathic medical training
  • DO (Osteopathic): Similar overall pathway to MD with additional osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) training; residency options similar to MD
• Naturopathic pathway (discussed as an alternative):
  • Naturopathic medical schools exist (e.g., Bastyr University, Everglades University cited in the conversation) with pathways toward naturopathic doctors
  • The advisor notes the existence of an accreditation list (AANMC) and emphasizes understanding the differences between naturopathic vs MD vs DO, including licensing, scope of practice, and residency opportunities
  • The Everglades example is described as offering a Bachelor’s in alternative medicine (and is not the same as traditional MD/DO pathways)
  • The advisor recommends researching and comparing options to determine which path aligns with the student’s goals (functional medicine, primary care, etc.)
• Timeline considerations across pathways:
  • Undergraduate timeline to medical school remains roughly four years, plus residency regardless of path
  • Most applicants to traditional medical schools will pursue MD or DO; naturopathic options can be viable for some goals but have different licensing and practice frameworks
  • The advisor suggests that if the student leans toward standard medical practice, pursuing the MD path (with residency) is a common and well-supported route, with the second major acting as a potential complementary pathway
• Reference materials and ongoing research:
  • The advisor plans to share readings and links (e.g., AANMC resources, holistically oriented school comparisons) to help the student understand the nuances between MD/DO vs naturopathic routes

Practical implications, ethical and real-world relevance

• Practical planning implications:
  • Building a strong foundation with Gen Bio, Gen Chem, Orgo, Physics, and Biochem is central to medical school prerequisites
  • The second major can be a strategic addition to demonstrate breadth, while not altering core prerequisite progress if planned carefully
  • Chemistry sequencing requires proactive planning to avoid backlogs; starting in spring is recommended, and summer chemistry is generally discouraged due to shorter course lengths and potential pacing challenges
• Ethical and professional considerations:
  • The student should be honest about career goals; attempting to pursue an unconventional path (e.g., naturopathic, holistic medicine) should be accompanied by thorough understanding of licensing, scope of practice, and residency requirements
  • Transparent communication with advisors and timely approvals are essential when adding a second major or changing plans
• Real-world relevance and next steps:
  • The student should keep the prereq sheet handy and refer to it for planning each semester
  • Schedule follow-up appointments to discuss MCAT timing, test prep, and the medical school application timeline
  • Explore and read about different medical pathways to make an informed choice, using the links the advisor plans to share
• What to expect next from the advisor:
  • Email delivery of the prereq sheet to the student’s FIU email; review and confirm
  • Further discussion on MCAT timing and application timeline
  • Continued scheduling of check-ins to adjust plan based on academic performance and evolving goals

Quick references and key numbers to remember

• Panther ID: $6548534$
• Summer course length (FIU): $6$ weeks (not recommended for core science sequences)
• Second major approval window: $10$ days to approve after email notification
• Chemistry sequencing length: a minimum of $5$ semesters including Gen Chem I/II, Orgo I/II, and Biochem
• Physics sequencing options: $PHY ext{ 2053}$ with $PHY ext{ 2048}$ lab (without calculus option)
• Biochemistry course: $BCH ext{ 3,033}$
• Core math requirement: at least $2$ semesters of university-level math (e.g., $CollegeAlgebra$ and later $Statistics$)
• Medical school pathways discussion points include MD, DO, and naturopathic routes with references to $AANMC$ and holistic programs

Next steps for the student (action items)

• Review the prereq sheet once received by email; confirm understanding and any dates that matter for spring/fall planning
• Decide whether to add the second major: Natural and Applied Sciences with a Medical Sciences track; if yes, approve within $10$ days of the notification email
• Confirm spring plan: likely $GenChem ext{ I}$ with lab + $Bio ext{ II}$ with lab; align with core curriculum and any overflows
• Confirm fall plan: plan for $GenChem ext{ II}$ with lab; consider adding Genetics or Physiology as recommended courses
• Maintain regular check-ins with the advisor each semester to ensure the plan stays on track, accommodates MCAT prep, and aligns with medical-school timelines
• Begin exploring med-school pathways (MD/DO vs naturopathic) through the resources the advisor will send, and prepare questions for follow-up meetings