Duke Pre Med Majors

10 Popular Duke Pre Med Majors

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Computer Science
4. Economics
5. Global Health
6. Mathematics
7. Neuroscience
8. Psychology
9. Public Policy
10. Sociology

Does Duke have a strong medical school? Yes, Duke has a medical school. It is a top medical school. Many Duke premed students do research, clinical shadowing, and projects with the Duke Med School faculty.

Is Duke Good for Pre Med? Duke is great as a premed. Many premeds take advantage of clinical opportunities at nearby Duke Med. Many premeds also work with nearby pharmaceutical companies and biotech companies in the famous North Carolina Research Triangle.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Biology

Pre- and Co-Requisites (or demonstrated proficiency)

*or EvAnth 585 or PSY 204 and 205 – cannot double count as EvAnth 585 an elective if used to fulfill math requirement

Note: CHM 210DL, CHM 202L & PHY 142L recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem, pharmacology, others

For the B.A. and B.S. Degrees, 10 courses in Biology:

The ten courses in Biology and approved alternates for the Biology major must be taken for a letter grade. This includes Gateway courses, Ecology, Diversity, and Structure/Function areas, and all electives including approved alternates and Independent Study. Courses taken S/U will not count towards the major, with the exception of co-requisite courses.

Gateway Courses in Biology (1 or 2 courses)

• Molecular Biology (Biology 201L) prereq; Chem 101DL or equivalent
• Genetics & Evolution (Biology 202L)

or 

• Molecular Biology, Genetics & Evolution (Biology 203L) prereq; BIO AP 5 & Chem 101DL or equivalent 

Biology Area Menus (3 courses): 1 approved course in each area

• Organismal Diversity
• Structure/Function: Cells & Organisms
• Ecology

Note: A course listed in two areas may only be used to meet one area requirement. 

Biology Electives (5 or 6 courses)

– All Biology courses numbered between 205-699 are acceptable as electives (if not used for area menu requirements above).
– At least 3 electives must be in courses listed or cross-listed as Biology at the 200-level or above. This may include Biochem 301 & maximum of 2 independent studies or tutorials (BIO, BIOCHEM, PHARM, PATH, NEUROBIO, CELLBIO, IMM, MGM, others by approval).
– A maximum of 2 approved independent studies or tutorials may count toward the major.
– A maximum of 2 or 3 approved alternate elective in the biological sciences may be counted toward the major (depending on Gateway sequence).

• 3 biology elective courses and

• 2 biology elective or approved alternate elective courses (if using Bio 201L & 202L) OR 3 biology elective or approved alternate elective courses (if using Bio 203L)

The Area Menu & Elective Courses Above Must Include:

1. At least two full lab courses, beyond the Gateways. Only one Independent study may count as a lab course. 
2. At least one full Biology ‘Capstone’ at the 400-level or above. Independent Study can only count towards this requirement if it is a second semester continuation with the same research supervisor.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Chemistry

The study of Chemistry provides a fascinating and intellectually stimulating foray into the molecular underpinnings of the world around us, and through independent study, an opportunity to participate first hand in cutting edge research that spans a wide range of disciplines in the molecular sciences.

Our department offers paths to help you major in the field, as well as courses to help non-majors meet requirements from other disciplines. In addition, some students may opt to sample our offerings simply for the challenge of discovery that chemistry brings.

Why Duke Chemistry?
Beyond the reputation of Duke University and our stature in the field, students choose our department for a variety of reasons, including:

• The lecture components of our classes give you a solid overview of concepts in biological, analytical, physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry
• Our undergraduate laboratories provide hands-on experience with an array of instrumentation
• We offer a wide range of opportunities for undergraduate research in one of our many cutting-edge departmental research groups
• We offer both a Bachelor of Science AND a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, along with concentrations in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Chemical Biology, and Environmental Chemistry. A minor is also available.
• You can graduate with distinction in chemistry, by completing research and writing a thesis.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Computer Science

Duke Pre Med Majors – Economics

For B.S. requirements prior to Fall 2022, please refer to the archived Undergraduate Bulletin based on the year of Matriculation

Economics courses develop the critical and analytical skills essential for understanding economics and institutions, in both their contemporary and historical settings. Although no particular vocational or professional goal is emphasized, these courses provide the academic background necessary for positions in industry or the non-profit sector, for work in many branches of government service, for law school, and for graduate study in business administration, economics, and the social sciences.

Students who contemplate graduate study in economics are urged to develop skills in intermediate calculus (Mathematics 212), linear algebra (Mathematics 221), differential equations (Mathematics 356), and advanced calculus (Mathematics 431).

The undergraduate degree in economics signifies achievement of proficiency in quantitative skills and experience in applying these to economics.

This degree program classifies as STEM (CIP Code 45.0603: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics), and students with this major can apply for a 24-month STEM extension of F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).

B.S. Major worksheet (update in progress)

Requirements: 14-15 Courses

Math Requirement

Completion of a higher-level math course (MATH 212 or higher) demonstrates proficiency in lower-level math courses; therefore, lower-level requirements may be waived for students who have successfully completed higher-level math courses.

• MATH 111L Laboratory Calculus I OR MATH 105L Laboratory Calculus and Functions I AND MATH 106L Laboratory Calculus Functions II
• MATH 122 Introductory Calculus II OR MATH 112L Laboratory Calculus II OR MATH 122L Introductory Calculus II with Applications
• MATH 202 Multivariable Calculus for Economics OR MATH 212 Multivariable Calculus OR MATH 219 Intermediate Calculus OR MATH 222 Advanced Multivariable Calculus OR any higher-level math course with MATH 212 as prerequisite.

Core Economics Courses

For students entering Fall 2022 or later, core classes must be completed before senior year, but students are encouraged to complete them no later than sophomore year.

• ECON 101D¹ Economics Principles
• Econometrics (see FAQs for more information about this new sequence)
  • ECON 104D² Statistical Foundations of Econometrics and Data Science
  • ECON 204D Econometrics Data Science
• Microeconomics
  • ECON 201D Intermediate Microeconomics I
  • ECON 205D^3,4 Intermediate Microeconomics II
• Macroeconomics
  • ECON 210D Intermediate Macroeconomics

Upper-Level Economics Electives

• Five Economics General Electives at the 300- or 400-level, of which one must be a 300- level and one must be a 400-levelECON 500-549 may only be counted toward the major with approval from the director of undergraduate studies)⁵

General Restrictions

• A maximum of two economics transfer credits will be accepted toward the major. This applied to courses taken in the United States and to study abroad courses. One exception if the London School of Economics full-year (fall and spring) program, from which a maximum of four courses may be counted toward the major.
  • Effective for courses taken after the Spring 2018 semester, we will no longer accept transfer credits for the following courses: ECON 104, ECON 201, ECON 204, ECON 205, ECON 208, and ECON 210. Courses that are part of “Duke In …” programs count as Duke courses and not transfer courses (please note that a few “Duke In …” programs are hybrids in which some courses count as Duke courses but students may also take transfer courses at the foreign institution). Also, inter-institutional courses are not considered transfer courses, nor are pre-matriculation credits. If you have questions about whether a course taken away from Duke would be considered a transfer course, please consult the director of undergraduate studies or associate director of undergraduate studies before taking the course.
• DukeHub enforces prerequisites for many Economics courses.
• ¹ Beginning Fall 2023, all students will be required to take Economics 101. The Economics Department will no longer accept AP, IPC, or transfer credit to fulfill this requirement. Students matriculating prior to Fall 2023 with credit for both AP Macro and AP Micro (4 or higher) may receive credit for ECON 101. To receive credit for ECON 101 using an international standardized exam, please visit the Trinity College policy for qualifying scores.
• ² Stat 432/MAT 343 may be substituted for Econ 104.
• ³ Prerequisites are enforced for ECON 205D. They include ECON 201, and either MATH 202 or MATH 212 or MATH 222.
• ⁴ Economics 205D will no longer be offered beginning Fall 2025 when it will be replaced by Econ 301D.
• ⁵ Econ classes 500-599 count as 300-level electives and Econ classes 600-699 count as 400-level electives.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Global Health

If you’re a Duke undergraduate, studying global health can provide a multidisciplinary lens on the complex challenges of our interconnected world. Along with the knowledge gained through global health coursework, you’ll have opportunities to participate in research, service and field experiences.

We offer a global health co-major, which is paired with another major, and a global health minor, as well as an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program. All three programs emphasize the ethically informed study of health disparities experienced by people around the world. You’ll learn to study social determinants of health and the complex relationship between health and environmental, social and cultural factors. Students explore these relationships as through coursework, study abroad programs, fieldwork experiences and interactions within the global health community.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Mathematics

We offer both a bachelor of science and a bachelor of arts in math. Students who plan to attend graduate school in mathematics or the sciences should consider working towards the bachelor of science degree.

Prerequisites

Recommended: Students without computer experience are encouraged to take COMPSCI 101: Program Design and Analysis I

Note: Students considering a math major should not take MATH 216: “Linear Algebra and Differential Equations” (which is meant for engineers) nor MATH 218: “Matrices and Vector Spaces” (which is meant for majors in Statistics, Computer Science, and other data-driven fields). Instead they should take MATH 221 which offers the additional training in mathematical reasoning needed by math majors. In particular, prospective math majors (including engineers considering mathematics as a second major) should not take the engineering sequence MATH 216 followed by MATH 353; they should instead take MATH 221 followed by MATH 356 for a first course in differential equations. This alternative sequence has been approved by Pratt for engineers.

Note: A student interested in the math major who has already taken MATH 216 or 218 (and therefore is ineligible to enroll in MATH 221) should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies as soon as possible.

Note: A student interested in the math major who has already taken MATH 202 (and therefore is ineligible to enroll in MATH 212 or 222) should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies as soon as possible.

Math Courses

Science Courses

• Students who choose the PHYSICS 161D/162D sequence are encouraged to supplement it with at least one semester of the half-credit sequence PHYSICS 161L/162L, Introductory Experimental Physics.
• Students who choose STAT 210 are encouraged to supplement it with the half-credit course STAT 211.
• The version of PHYSICS 161L/162L offered In Spring 2014 and earlier essentially comined the current PHYSICS 161D/162D with a lab and thus may also be used to satisfy the Physics requirement.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Neuroscience

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary experience that synthesizes discovery from diverse sources of knowledge. Our students are challenged to explore this knowledge derived from three levels of analysis:

• molecules within the cells of nervous systems
• neural circuits for which cells are organized and interconnected
• behaviors that emerge from the functions of neural circuits

The integration of these analyses makes neuroscience an exciting adventure of exploration and discovery. To major in neuroscience is to engage in one of the most satisfying endeavors that an education in liberal arts and sciences can offer.

Our Offerings

The Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience offers Bachelor of Arts (AB), Bachelor of Science (BS), Interdepartmental (IDM), and minor degrees. Although the requirements to fulfill the AB and BS are similar, there are some key differences between the two.

Now more than ever, the broad impact of innovation in neuroscience is extending beyond the traditional academic disciplines where the brain sciences emerged. New dialogue and collaboration exists among neuroscientists and experts in law, business, social sciences, philosophy, the arts, and the humanities. Accordingly, our curriculum in neuroscience reflects this broadening interdisciplinary platform for discovery and learning, with a rich offering of learning experiences that reflect the exciting growth of neuroscience and its increasing relevance to real-world problems.

Students studying neuroscience are provided rich opportunities to study the brain with faculty from a number of diverse disciplines and perspectives. Our undergraduate curriculum is taught by faculty from many departments, chiefly the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience and the Department of Biology, both of which are in Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, and the Department of Neurobiology in the Duke University School of Medicine and the Biomedical Engineering Department in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Psychology

Students who complete a degree in psychology are immersed in learning about the origins, processes, and consequences of human and animal behavior. The study of behavior and its determinants lies at the heart of our understanding of numerous systems ranging from the biological to the economic and social. Psychology majors and minors apply their understanding of human behavior to varied professional fields including mental and physical health care, research, education, policy, law, finance, consulting, marketing, and business management. Understanding of psychological concepts is also helpful for fields relating to engineering and data analysis.

Our Offerings

The Undergraduate Program in Psychology offers Bachelor of Arts (AB), Bachelor of Science (BS), Interdepartmental (IDM), and minor degrees. Although the requirements to fulfill the AB and BS are similar, there are some key differences between the two. The AB degree requires that students complete 11 courses in the major, while the BS degree requires 16 courses. The minor degree requires 5 courses.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Public Policy

The public policy major offers many exciting opportunities. We teach courses in a broad array of areas, including education and social policy, health and population, environment and energy, international development, global governance and security, civil society, and leadership and ethics.

Rigorous coursework provides students skills in political and economic analysis, knowledge about how to lead people and organizations, and a strong ethical foundation for decision-making. As a liberal arts major, public policy studies teaches students to read critically, think analytically, and write concisely.

Duke Pre Med Majors – Sociology

Sociology is the science of human relationships. Because nearly every part of our lives is shaped by our relationships with each other, sociology examines many different types of questions such as: How do diseases spread across social networks? How do new organizations succeed? How do businesses analyze market demand? Why do racial, ethnic, and gender inequalities persist despite so many attempts to redress them? What are the societal roots of criminal behavior? Sociologists use a variety of methods to study such questions ranging from quantitative survey techniques and experiments to in-depth interviewing and focus groups.