The need for health care professionals is ever-present and has become even more critical in recent years. The Pre-Medical/Pre-Health option in biological sciences at UMass Lowell prepares students to be successful applicants to the health professions school of their choice.

Why choose pre-medical/pre-health at UMass Lowell?

Person wearing medical coat and stethoscope talks with another person.

The Pre-Medical/Pre-Health option provides all the required prerequisite courses and prepares you for graduate work in health professions programs.

In addition to the required courses, you can select other specialized courses in health-related topics that will provide the groundwork for your future career.

You can also participate in programs that provide additional support:

  • Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine in the Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP) - UMass Lowell is a partner school with the Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP). This program prepares students to navigate the transition to medical school through rigorous undergraduate coursework, early exposure to the medical school curriculum and culture, and the development of a unique and supportive community. Admission through the EMSSP grants provisional acceptance into Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine at the completion of undergraduate study. Preference is given to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or who are first generation college students.
  • UMass Chan Medical School Baccalaureate MD (BaccMD) Pathway Program - UMass Lowell students are eligible to apply to the Baccalaureate MD (BaccMD) Pathway Program. This multiphase program provides selected students from the UMass undergraduate campuses with the opportunity of provisional acceptance into T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School. Students who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or who will be First Generation (four-year) College graduates are eligible to apply to the BaccMD Program.
  • Medical Profession Admission Gap Initiative and Collaboration (MAGIC) - UMass Lowell offers the MAGIC program, which provides academic coaching and mentoring to students who aspire to become healthcare professionals and scientific researchers.

Courses You'll Take

The Pre-Medical/Pre-Health option provides you with all the necessary prerequisite courses to apply to medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, pharmacy and podiatry schools, as well as physician assistant programs. The program offers a strong foundation, with basic courses in biology alongside a variety of health-related biology electives.

Sample courses include:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Human Neurobiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Virology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Comparative Vertebrate Embryology
  • Parasitic Protozoology
Person wearing a mask and lab coat works with equipment in a lab.

Research Opportunities

Earn course credit for research with faculty in place of upper-level electives. To learn about research opportunities, contact biology faculty active in health-related research, including:

Graduate School Outcomes

UMass Lowell graduates have gone on to study at:

  • Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
  • Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
  • Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
  • Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine
  • Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
  • Tufts University School of Medicine
  • Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
  • University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
  • University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
  • University of Connecticut School of Medicine
  • University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
  • University of Virginia School of Medicine

Contact Us

For more information, please contact: 

Carol D. Myers, Ph.D
Director of Pre-health Programs
Carol_Myers@uml.edu