Academic Prerequisites for Admission to WWAMI--ALASKA'S MEDICAL SCHOOL for Fall 2009 Matriculation

The following premedical course requirements must be completed before matriculation and preferably before application. Undergraduate or post-baccalaureate courses must be completed at a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting body. Courses must include a minimum of:

• Biology -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
  This requirement can be satisfied by taking any combination of general biology, genetics, microbiology, physiology, zoology, or anatomy.
• Chemistry -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
  This requirement can be satisfied by taking any combination of inorganic, organic, or biochemistry.
• Physics -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
• Additional biology, chemistry, or physics -- 2 semesters or 3 quarters
  This requirement can be met by taking other courses in any of the above broad categories. Molecular Biology can only count toward additional course credits.

The following courses are recommended, but not required:

• Ethics
• Anatomy or Comparative Anatomy
• Human or Mammalian Physiology
• Embryology

Courses such as evolution, ecology, bio-diversity, nutrition, environmental sciences, astronomy, and atmospheric sciences will not be accepted.

The biochemistry course for the first-year medical students focuses on molecular mechanisms central to human health and disease. It is taught with the assumption that participants have already mastered the fundamentals of biochemistry, including molecular genetics, structure and activity of proteins, and metabolism. For a list of biochemistry and molecular biology concepts with which applicants should be familiar,   click here.

Under exceptional circumstances, some course requirements may be waived for individuals with unusual achievements and academic promise. All candidates should demonstrate substantial academic ability in their major field as well as in the required science courses. Candidates should be proficient in the use of the English language, basic mathematics, personal computing, and information technologies.

UAA Courses Which Fulfill Alaska WWAMI / UWSoM Prerequisite Requirements

• Biology 115 / 116 -- Fundamentals of Biology I and II
• Chemistry 105 / 106 -- General Chemistry I and II
• Math 200 / 201 -- Calculus I and II
• Physics 123 / 124 -- Basic Physics I and II
• Chemistry 321 / 322 -- Organic Chemistry I and II
• Chemistry 441 / 442 -- Principles of Biochemistry I and II

Course requirements will change for Fall 2010 admissions.
Please click here for further details.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR WWAMI ENTRANCE

Those offered positions for the fall of 2007 had a mean GPA of 3.69 and the following mean MCAT scores:

• Verbal 10.5
• Physical Sciences 10.7
• Biological Sciences 11.1, and
• mode of "Q" in the Writing Sample

All entrants in recent years have fulfilled requirements for a bachelor’s degree. No specific major is advised. A broad background in the humanities and liberal arts is encouraged.