Pre-Medical and General Science Studies Certificate Program

Boost your academic foundation to pursue a career change, apply to a health/professional program or enhance your knowledge in the sciences. Earned credits in this rigorous post-baccalaureate certificate program are transferable to UC and Cal State campuses, as well as other universities nationwide (some limitations may apply). Federal financial aid is available.

Courses

Required

Elective

F-1 Visa Eligible

Yes

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This program is perfect for…

Potential applicants to health programs, including medical, dental, veterinary, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy and more

Students seeking a course of study offering flexible class schedules, including part-time, full-time and evenings

Candidates interested in taking individual courses before fully committing to a certificate program

Those looking to improve their GPAs in order to stand out in the admissions process

Exam-takers preparing to sit for the MCAT

Career-changers whose undergraduate majors did not require math and science classes

What you can learn.

Cover UCLA curriculum, which is recognized and respected by top medical and professional schools

Study core disciplines of biology, chemistry, life sciences, math and physics

Discuss rigorous and research-informed academic content

Sample a wide variety of subjects in other science disciplines, the humanities and social sciences

For Aspiring Pre-Health Students or Professionals

As access to medical schools and professional health programs becomes more competitive, strong coursework preparation is essential for success. The UCLA Extension Pre-Medical and General Science Certificate program was designed to provides the tools, resources and support to help students:

Build a solid academic background in biology, chemistry, physics and other essential math and sciences
Prepare for the MCAT, medical/dental/pharmacy school applications and other graduate-level health programs
Strengthen their medical school applications with high-quality coursework
Complete the prerequisites for pursuing various health care-related career paths

Our comprehensive curriculum, designed to accommodate professional schedules, encompasses essential pre-med and science coursework taught by instructors with backgrounds in medicine, research and academia. Program graduates pursue a variety of career titles, including physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physical therapist and medical researcher/scientist.

Virtual Open House

Learn how this program can help you achieve your pre-health goals in our interactive sessions that include an opportunity for general advising.

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Bi-Weekly Q&A Sessions

Meet with a program counselor during our interactive Q&A session and ask detailed questions about the certificate and courses.

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Certificate Requirements

No academic prerequisites are required for admission.

To complete this certificate, you must take a minimum of 12 UCLA-equivalent (XL) courses.* At least nine of the 12 courses must be chosen from the following four core disciplines (a minimum of one course from each area):

Group 1 – Chemistry (CHEM)
Group 2 – Biological Sciences (LIFESCI, PHYSCI, MIMG, or MCD BIO)
Group 3 – Math/Statistics (MATH or STATS)
Group 4 – Physics (PHYSICS)

Optional Courses

XL-level social sciences, humanities, and language courses are available if needed for a student’s academic goal, but are not required to earn the certificate. Students can include up to three of these courses and have them count towards the certificate’s 12 course minimum requirement.

Note: Students MUST let the department know so that XL-level social sciences, humanities, and language courses can be added to their certificate record since these are optional.

GPA Requirement: Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of completion to earn the certificate.

*Courses are equivalent to those taught on UCLA’s main campus and are numbered: XL 1-199. Please note, your course of study may vary depending on how many courses you need to fulfill your foundational requirements. Students who are new to the sciences or are career changers will likely have to take more than the minimum 12 courses. Concurrent courses are also accepted for credit in this program.

You have three years in which to complete all the courses required for the certificate. If you choose to apply courses taken previously at another school, your 3-year period would begin then, leaving you with less time in which to complete your UCLA Extension courses.

This certificate is approved for international students to study full time in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.

International students must meet English language proficiency requirements for admission into the program.

While most certificate programs begin each quarter, some have limited intakes for students studying on F-1 visa. Find this program on the Browse Certificate Programs page to confirm entry quarters before applying.

Learn more:

More Information

For further information to help plan your studies with us, including certificate application instructions, course scheduling, fees and more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page..

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started

Step 1: Enroll in a Course

Courses in this program are open enrollment and paid for individually. You may take courses without committing to the program.

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Have questions? Talk to an Academic Advisor

Step 2: Become a Candidate

Establish candidacy in the certificate program to receive tailored information, lock in course requirements, and gain access to exclusive student benefits. Registration Fee: $200

Apply Now

Important Note for International Students: Candidacy fees are included in your program fees and do not need to be paid separately.

View Dates & Program Fees for International Students

Cost and Fees

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application and Candidacy Fee

$200

Estimated Textbooks and Materials

$1500

Estimated Program Tuition

$15000

International Student Fees

Payment Options

Plan Your Studies

Whether you are bound for med school or another health profession, choosing the right courses to make sure your program's requirements are covered can be overwhelming.

Select your specific pre-health track below to see suggested courses.

Students who apply to this certificate program are also invited to a program orientation where they will be able to meet with the program’s academic counselor.

This certificate program is a total of 48 quarter units. Estimated tuition per credit hour is $312.50.

Required Courses

Customize your experience

Group 1 - Chemistry

Choose at least one course from the list below.

Biochemistry: Biosynthetic and Energy Metabolism and Its Regulation

This course is a continuation of the biochemistry series and is geared towards pre-medical and pre-health students. It covers metabolism at a cellular, organ, and organismal level.

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Biochemistry: DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis

This course is a continuation of the biochemistry series and is geared towards pre-medical and pre-health students. It covers metabolism, DNA and RNA properties, transcription and protein synthesis and processing.

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Biochemistry: Introduction to Structure, Enzymes and Metabolism

This course provides an introduction to biochemistry and is geared towards pre-medical and pre-health students. This course is the first and introductory course in the biochemistry series.

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General and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

This chemistry laboratory course accompanies Chemistry 14B and provides the general chemistry lab component necessary for pre-medical and pre-health students. This is the first lab course for the chemistry series.

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General and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

This chemistry laboratory course accompanies Chemistry 14C and provides the organic chemistry lab component necessary for pre-medical and pre-health students. This is the second lab course for the organic chemistry series.

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Group 2 - Biological Sciences

Choose at least one course from the list below.

Cell and Molecular Biology

This first course in the pre-medical life science sequence provides an introduction to cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.

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Developmental Biology

This course presents the genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of animal embryology and related developmental defects and disease.

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Genetics

Advanced Mendelian genetics, recombination, biochemical genetics, mutation, DNA, genetic code, gene regulation, genes in populations.

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Genetics, Evolution and Ecology

This second course in the pre-medical life science sequence provides an introduction to principles of evolution, Mendelian inheritance, and population genetics.

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Introduction to Cell Biology

Analyze the organization, structure, and function at the molecular level of cell membranes and signaling, membrane transport, intracellular trafficking and cell energetics.

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Group 3 - Math/Statistics

Choose at least one course from the list below.

Differential and Integral Calculus

This course is the first of the Calculus series and covers differential calculus and applications and the introduction to integration. The course prepares students for Math XL 31B as well as Chemistry and Physics.

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Integration and Infinite Series

This course is the second of the Calculus series and covers transcendental functions, methods, applications of integration, sequences and series. The course prepares students for Calculus-based Chemistry and Physics.

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Introduction to Statistical Methods for Life and Health Sciences

This introductory course for pre-health and pre-medical students covers the presentation and interpretation of data, descriptive statistics, and introduction to correlation, regression, and basic statistical inference.

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Introduction to Statistical Reasoning

This introductory course covers statistical understanding including strengths and limitations of basic experimental designs, graphical and numerical summaries of data, inference, and regression as descriptive tool.

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Precalculus

This foundational course covers topics in Precalculus and is designed to prepare students for college-level Calculus (Math XL 31A).

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Group 4 - Physics

Choose at least one course from the list below.

Physics

This course presents the cultural and historical perspectives of physical ideas while delving into planetary motion, Newton's laws, light, sound, heat, and quantum mechanics.

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Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics

This is the third course in the pre-medical physics sequence. It explores electrostatics in vacuum and in water, with applications to biological and biochemical systems.

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Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Mechanics and Energy

This is the first course in pre-medical physics sequence, which discusses the statics and dynamics of forces, motion and energy.

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Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Thermodynamics, Fluids, Waves, Light and Optics

This is the second course in the pre-medical physics sequence, which provides an introduction to thermal properties of fluids, sound, light, waves and optics.

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Upcoming Pre-Med Workshops

Take your next step with workshops offered by our partners at UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension.

Careers in Medicine Workshop
Learn about diverse career paths in the medical field, insightful tips from seasoned professionals and how to kick-start your journey towards a successful career in medicine.

Medical School Application Workshop
Chart your path to med school success! This 10-week workshop breaks down the complexities of the application process, helping you identify the perfect fit, master personal statements and ace interviews.

MCAT Prep Course
Ace the MCAT with this comprehensive prep course. Gain access to expert guidance, practice resources and proven strategies to excel in this crucial exam. Enjoy a $1,000.00 savings when you sign up through UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension.

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Pre-Medical and General Science Studies