Pre-Medical: Biology Track

Your path to a medical career starts here

The field of medicine offers a challenging yet rewarding career path, centered around one goal: improving the lives of patients.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, you’ve come to the right place. UNI graduates routinely have among the highest medical school placement rates in the Midwest, and even the nation.

It is important to keep in mind that the pre-medical track is not an academic major; rather, it’s a suggested program of study that prepares students to apply to professional school upon completing their undergraduate degree. Pre-med students may choose a major in any area, though at UNI – and nationally – the most common major for pre-med students is biology.

The BA Biology: Biomedical major was designed to keep pre-med students on track to meet the most common requirements for medical programs and the topics for the MCAT. With most pre-med courses counting toward your UNI degree, this is an efficient pathway to prepare for medical school.

Top
Ranked

UNI Biology majors gain admission to medical school at rates seven times higher than the national average

NAAHP
Member

UNI Biology is a member of the NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for Health Professions), allowing access to resources that benefit students studying in a healthcare field.

Powerful
Partnerships

Our department has fostered outstanding partnerships with regional medical schools such as University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

Learn more about Pre-Medical & Biology

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Department of Biology
University of Northern Iowa
144 McCollum Science Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421

Phone: (319) 273-2456
Email: biology@uni.edu

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Why choose a biology major for your pre-med track?

Biology is the most common undergraduate major for medical students, both in Iowa and nationally. Many students choose biology because a biology major shares many common medical school prerequisite courses. Students interested in a biology pre-medical track should contact the biology academic advisor upon applying to UNI.

Students pursuing a healthcare career at UNI are supported through collaborative advising with popular medical schools. Beginning their first year, students will be enrolled in courses appropriate for medical programs and will receive regular guidance on coursework, GPA and timely information pertaining to medical programs.

High Acceptance Rates
Consistently high acceptance rates to medical programs are a testimony to the rigor and relevance of the UNI Biology curriculum in preparation for admission to medical schools. UNI faculty relationships with colleagues at other medical institutions are beneficial to students.

Pre-Medical Club
The Pre-Medical Club, supported through the UNI Department of Biology, offers students professional networking, job shadowing and employment opportunities, as well as access to admission staff at popular medical schools.

National Association of Advisors for Health Professions
As a member of the NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for Health Professions), biology students receive access to free resources such as MCAT prep materials, personal statement writing coaching, summer health programs, and support in the medical school application process.

What sets UNI apart?

After graduation, I plan on applying and hopefully attending medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for the fall of 2022. In my gap year, I will continue working as a research fellow in pediatric oncology at Stead Family Children’s Hospital with my sister’s pediatric oncologist.

None of these life accomplishments would’ve been possible without the Department of Biology supporting my dream. My professors, advisors, and friends have pushed me to chase my dreams and work hard in and out of the classroom.

The advice I would give incoming students is to take the time and get to know your professors and the faculty here. They care about you reaching your goals just as much as you!”

Nolan Ford graduated from the UNI Department of Biology in the spring of 2021 with a degree in biology and a pre-medical track.