Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Biology
The University of Nevada School of Medicine offers students a one-year certificate program to prepare students who already have their BS or BA for application to medical school. The program integrates upper-division science courses, study strategies, testing taking skills, and clinical experiences to prepare students for the medical school admission process.
The program is designed to prepare students for the academic rigor of medical school. Selection requirements include a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.85 or a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in the last 30 credits of their undergraduate BA or BS. The Post-Baccalaureate Program is designed to encourage Nevada students from diverse and disadvantaged populations to pursue careers in medicine. Such students might include, but are not limited to, students who are first generation college students, are economically disadvantaged, are geographically disadvantaged areas, or are members of underrepresented cultural minorities. A formal application and interview by two committee members will be required. The program admissions committee will be composed of faculty from participating institutions, a community physician, a member of the general UNSOM admissions committee, and the UNSOM Assistant Dean for Admissions.
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher in all post baccalaureate coursework in the program. All students must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Students will enrolled in a tailored curriculum of 32 undergraduate credit hours over one year, which may include up to two summer sessions, depending on each student's academic background and preparation. An advisor from UNSOM will identify courses for each student to take from existing courses in the Department of Physical and Life Sciences at Nevada State College and other NSHE institutes. In addition, students will attend Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation sessions and study skill classes and will be assisted in receiving additional experience in research, community service ventures, and clinical experience as needed.
This program will utilize existing faculty and courses. All courses identified in the curriculum are presently being taught by Nevada State College faculty. Potential courses that may be included in the post-bacc curriculum include, but not limited to, those listed below.
Curriculum
Semester (subject to change)
Fall (Even years)
Fall (Odd years)
Fall
Spring
| BIOL 473 | Advanced Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology | 3.00 |
| CHEM 377 | Natural Product Chemistry | 3.00 |
Summer
Fall and Spring
Fall, Spring, and Summer
TBA