Can Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University West Lafayette Serve as a Pre-Med Track and Are You Eligible for the MCAT?

Considering a career in medicine but pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering? This article explores whether a biomedical engineering curriculum at Purdue University West Lafayette can be considered a viable pre-med path, and whether students interested in this field can take the MCAT.

Overview of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University West Lafayette

Biomedical engineering, as a unique interdisciplinary field, merges engineering principles with biological and medical sciences. At Purdue University West Lafayette, the biomedical engineering program offers a robust curriculum that covers foundational science and math courses, but it may not be fully aligned with the pre-med requirements for admission to medical school.

Meeting Pre-med Requirements

When it comes to fulfilling pre-med requirements, you need to ensure that you are taking the necessary courses to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) andmedical school applications. These prerequisites typically include:

Biology (General and Molecular)

Chemistry (Organic and Inorganic)

Physics

Mathematics (Calculus and Statistics)

Biochemistry

Human Anatomy and Physiology

While the biomedical engineering program at Purdue covers many of these foundational subjects, such as physics and certain aspects of biology, it may lack specific courses in general biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you take additional courses to meet these prerequisites.

The HSPP-PMED (Health Sciences Pre-Professional) Major

Purdue University offers an alternative pathway through the HSPP-PMED (Health Sciences Pre-Professional) major, which has a specific pre-med concentration. This interdisciplinary major is designed to provide students with the necessary background and skills to pursue a career in medicine or other healthcare professions.

If you are considering biomedical engineering as a pre-med track, it is highly recommended to consult with an advisor from the HSPP-PMED program. These advisors can help you tailor your coursework to meet the medical school requirements and guide you in preparing effectively for the MCAT.

Conclusion and Next Steps

While biomedical engineering at Purdue University West Lafayette can be a great foundation for a career in medicine, it may not encompass all the required pre-med courses. By taking advantage of the HSPP-PMED major or additional courses outside the biomedical engineering program, you can ensure that you meet the prerequisites needed for medical school.

To summarize, if you are interested in using biomedical engineering as a pre-med track, consider the following steps:

Talk to an advisor from the HSPP-PMED program at Purdue University West Lafayette.

Review the specific course requirements for medical school and the MCAT.

Enroll in additional courses to cover any missing prerequisites.

With careful planning and guidance, you can successfully prepare for both the MCAT and medical school.