Mar 28, 2025  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Medical Science, A.S.


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The Associate of Science degree in Medical Science will provide students with principles, knowledge, and skills required to begin a career in the fields requiring medical science. Students wishing to transfer to a baccalaureate granting institution and pursue a degree in Medical Science are strongly encouraged to check with their advisor and coordinate their course work at San Juan College with the requirements of the transfer institution.  

The Medical Science A.S. degree is designed to prepare students to sit for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which is a requirement for admission to virtually all American medical schools.  

It is also suitable for students who are considering advanced degrees in the health care field.  

Note that the MCAT is typically taken at the end of the student’s Junior year.  While this degree completes most of the required course work, additional courses are required to sit for the exam.  See notes below.  

Note:  Student must earn a grade of ‘C’ or higher in all courses to obtain a Medical Science A.S. degree.

SJC First Year Experience Requirement: 3 Credits


Program Proficiencies and/or Prerequisites: 0-15 Credits


CHEM-1120  /CHEM-1120L   are pre-requisites to CHEM-1215  /CHEM-1215L   for students who have not taken high school chemistry.

MATH-1215  , MATH-1230  , and MATH-1240   may be taken as pre-requisites to MATH-1510   for students who do not place directly into calculus. 

General Education Requirements: 33-34 Credits


TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 62-81 Credits


Additional Information Regarding MCAT Eligibility:


The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is normally taken at the end of one’s Junior year.  

To be eligible to sit for the MCAT, a student must also take a suitable Biochemistry course and two semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs from an accredited institution.  

Depending on the school you transfer to, some of the courses recommended below may be required. 

In addition, the following courses are recommended (but not required) to sit for the MCAT:

  • Microbiology
  • Calculus 2
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Embryology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Ecology & Evolution

At the beginning of the Junior year, students should contact preferred medical schools for distinctive prerequisites.

Suggested Course Sequence for Full-Time Students:


Students who for any reason are unable to follow the suggested course sequence should contact an academic advisor for help with adjustments.

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