10 Popular Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors
- Anthropology
- Behavioral Biology
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemistry
- Medicine, Science, and Humanities
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Psychology
- Public Health Studies
Johns Hopkins is a great place to be a pre med because there are many opportunities at the nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Anthropology
The anthropology major combines the study of social and cultural theory with the empirical study of everyday life, social organization, cultural and political expression, and forms of imagination across the diversity of human cultures past and present, including those of the students themselves.
The department particularly focuses on the challenges of our own moment in history: new religious practices and religious strife, globalization and competition, law and the problems of governance, new diseases and medical interventions, global social movements and transnational media forms, environmental crises such as climate change, and further challenges offered up by turbulence and destitution. In all cases, acute awareness of shifting contexts in which institutions are embedded, and the impact of global, regional, and national politics on social life, is built into the methodology and the theory engaged by faculty and students.
We see teaching and research as integrally linked, and invite undergraduate students to participate in research as they take introductory and advanced courses in anthropology. The Trouillot Essay Prize is a competitive award granted each spring to the best undergraduate essay in anthropology.
Undergraduate coursework offers an introduction to the basic methodologies and theories of contemporary anthropology through discussion and directed research on these and other topical issues. Student advising helps interested students to develop sequences of complementary courses tailored to their own interests. In addition, majors may choose to pursue an honors program.
Undergraduates in anthropology acquire a foundation for careers in medicine, international relations, and law, as well as preparation for graduate work in anthropology and related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.
Learning Goals
Upon completing the BA degree, a student majoring in anthropology will be able to:
- Evaluate the quality of anthropological claims by analyzing their arguments, evidence, and methods
- Produce anthropological knowledge through exercises in fieldwork, oral presentation, and ethnographic writing
- Think critically about contemporary social and cultural concerns and the diversity of human experience, in the United States and globally.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Behavioral Biology
Overview of the BA in Behavioral Biology
The program begins with fundamental concepts in math, science, and statistics. Students then explore behavior through the intersection of biology, psychology, and neuroscience through four core courses. Students take five approved upper-level electives from a broad range of disciplines and departments on campus and a senior seminar. Additionally, students are required to take one semester of supervised research or internship and a Connections course that provides direct experience and feedback on communicating science.
Quick List of Program of Study
A. Basic Math and Science
One year of:
- Calculus
- Chemistry & lab
- Physics & lab
- Biology & lab
- Statistics (1 semester or 1 year)
B. Core Courses
- Foundations of Brain, Behavior, and Cognition (Fall/Spring)
- Human Origins (Spring)
- Animal Behavior (Fall)
- Neuroscience Lab (Fall/Spring)
C. Upper Level Courses
- Three with “Biobehavioral” Tag
- Two with “Socsci” Tag
- Senior Seminar
D. Research / Internship & Connections
- One semester of Research, Internship, or Intersession trip to Galapagos.
- One semester Connections in Behavioral Biology
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Biology
The Johns Hopkins Department of Biology offers a rigorous undergraduate program leading to either a BA or a BS degree, as well as a five-year program leading to a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree. The program guides students as they develop a detailed, nuanced view of biology, integrating knowledge at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels.
Learning Goals
Students receiving BS or BA degrees in biology should:
- Have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary for success in graduate programs in biological sciences or in professional (medical, dental, veterinary, nursing) school
- Understand scientific techniques used to define biological principles, distinguish among these techniques to select one appropriate to answer the question posed, and be able to design an experiment including selecting controls, recording observations, and drawing conclusions based on experimental results
- Be able to analyze and answer biologically relevant problems through the successful application of quantitative and analytical methods
- Know the basic building blocks of biological macromolecules; be familiar with cellular processes and understand the subcellular and cellular organization of eukaryotic cells, including cytoskeleton and organelles; and possess knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of living organisms
- Be able to distinguish between the genetic organization and gene expression of viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes, and describe the mechanisms of inheritance and evolution
- Be capable of describing the organization and development of major organ systems in mammals and other organisms, and outlining the roles of gene expression and cell-cell communication in development.
In addition, students earning a BS degree should:
- Integrate themes and principles learned in the classroom through conducting original research.
Advising
Each Biology and Molecular and Cellular Biology major is assigned an advisor when they declare the major. These faculty members are available to answer questions related to academic or even personal issues. The advising process is an integral part of the educational experience at Hopkins and it is important that students take advantage of the opportunity to directly interact with a faculty member on a regular basis. Advisors can help students on issues ranging from course requirements and course content to choosing a research lab or making career decisions for after graduation.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Biomedical Engineering
Engineering the future of medicine.
Our Biomedical Engineering program has been setting the bar for BME education and research for more than 50 years, and we continue to lead the way through a curriculum that combines classroom instruction and hands-on research to train future leaders
Our faculty are defining the field, forging new disciplines that have immense potential to transform human health and impact patient lives around the globe. Close partnership with clinical collaborators provides a strong foundation for translating advances to first clinical use.
As an undergraduate student in our program, you’ll work with our pioneering faculty and actively contribute to our mission of scientific discovery, innovation, and translational research that improves medicine and human health at scale. Through project-based learning, research experiences, design opportunities, clinical exposure, and more, you will solve real-world engineering problems from your first day of freshman year until your graduation day.
To be considered for the program, you must indicate BME as your first-choice major on your application.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering’s undergraduate program provides a diverse and supportive environment, focused on educating innovative and fundamentally-grounded engineers.
By fusing core chemical engineering principles with emerging disciplines, our undergraduates innovate new technologies and spur cross-disciplinary scientific discovery.
With the option to concentrate in Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering or Interfaces and Nanotechnology, students can tailor their studies to suit their interests, contribute to the creation of knowledge through unparalleled research opportunities, and graduate with the skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to pursue their professional goals, no matter what path they may choose.
Our graduates take a myriad paths–working in the pharmaceutical and energy industries and finance, launching their own startups, or pursuing further studies in a variety of engineering fields, as well as in medicine, law, and business.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Chemistry
Chemistry is an interdisciplinary subject with natural, robust ties to the other sciences and engineering that, in general, involves the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Advances in chemistry will be required to meet global challenges of clean air, safe water, healthy food, dependable medicine, advanced materials, eco-friendly products, and sustainable energy.
Our understanding of the fundamental nature of the world is grounded in chemistry. Molecular transformations are central to the production of food, medicines, fuel, and a countless array of materials. Chemists seek to understand the fundamental nature of matter and the changes it undergoes on a molecular or atomic level. While this goal was once limited almost exclusively to chemists, there is an increased effort toward molecular-level characterization in most areas of science and technology. Chemistry has therefore emerged as the “central science.”
The Department of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University has a long tradition of excellence that began with Ira Remsen, the discoverer of saccharin, dating back to the inception of the university in 1876.
Today, Hopkins chemistry is made up of internationally recognized faculty involved in contemporary chemical science, including interdisciplinary areas that interface chemistry with the fields of biology, medicine, physics, materials, and environmental science.
Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged for chemistry majors. Most students graduate with several semesters of experience with a research group in our department or with a professor in another related department on the Homewood or medical school campus.
Research is important for chemistry majors who are going to graduate school, professional schools, or industry. You will gain valuable laboratory experience, learn new techniques, and reinforce your knowledge of chemical principles. You will learn the need for persistence and for patience when conducting research. You will gain confidence in your course work, perspective on your career choice, and an important letter of recommendation. In some cases, your work will lead to a publication, a noteworthy accomplishment.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Medicine, Science, and Humanities
As JHU’s largest undergraduate humanities major, MSH provides students with interdisciplinary, critical perspectives on science and medicine. This uniquely positions students to pursue careers in the health professions as they foreground issues of importance to society more broadly. The major is also ideal for students who plan to pursue graduate work in a range of humanities, social science, or professional disciplines.
MSH majors gain awareness of theory, interpretation, and methods in specific humanistic topics related to science and medicine, rooted in humanistic disciplines. They gain exposure to multicultural perspectives through MSH coursework and through intermediate mastery of a language beyond English. MSH also requires students to acquire knowledge and experience in the natural sciences in order to add an applied dimension to their studies. MSH majors acquire fundamental skills of writing and oral presentation, emphasizing clear and logical exposition to enhance student readiness for subsequent graduate school, professional school, or the workforce.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Molecular and Cellular Biology
BS Requirements
The Department of Biology offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB). The BS program is designed to provide a rigorous preparation for advanced study in the biomedical sciences. The program is tailored not only to students planning to enter PhD programs or obtain employment in the biotechnology industry, but also to premedical students. The BS program in Molecular and Cellular Biology is administered by the faculty of the biology department and is open to all Hopkins undergraduates.
Requirements
The four-year BS program in Molecular and Cellular Biology requires specialized coursework in addition to the BA program and a two-semester (6 credits) laboratory research experience. The major emphasis of the BS degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology is the participation of the students in an original research project.
Students completing these requirements will be awarded a BS degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology only, not double BA in Biology/BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology degrees.
The major emphasis of the BS program in Molecular and Cellular Biology is the student’s participation in an original research project. A BS degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology requires, in addition to the present requirements for the BA degree in biology, at least four courses totaling 12 credits or more from the approved upper-level science courses listed in Appendix I, and 6 credits of research supervised or sponsored by a faculty member in Biology, Biophysics, or basic science departments in the School of Medicine currently involved in graduate PhD programs. Research may be conducted outside the Biology department and needs a Biology department sponsor. The sponsor must decide whether the work is relevant to the Molecular and Cellular Biology major and must agree to serve as the sponsor.
Two of the upper-level electives must have a 020 number.
The supervised research will include participation in group meetings and writing a summary of accomplished work at the end of each term. Supervised research is initiated by an agreement between the student and the faculty member with whom the student wishes to work. This agreement specifies the obligations of the student in terms of amount and scheduling of time dedicated to laboratory work, as well as a commitment from the mentor in terms of supervision, readings, and guidance in pursuing the project.
For help in finding a research supervisor, students should discuss their interests with their adviser or other faculty.
Students would then contact researchers with whom they might like to work and discuss possible research opportunities. We urge students to make these arrangements well before the end of the semester prior to the beginning of the work. If the research supervisor is not a full-time member in the biology department, students must find a sponsor among the full-time biology faculty.
For more information please see Undergraduate Research in Biology.
In addition to 6 credits of supervised research, 020.503-504, 020.513-514, 020.572 (intersession) or 020.597 (summer), and the university’s core requirements, the course requirements for the BS in molecular and cellular biology degree are as follows:
Biology
- Genetics 020.303
- Molecular Biology 020.304
- Cell Biology 020.306
- Cell Biology Lab 020.316
- Biochemistry 020.305
- Biochemistry Project Lab 020.315 or Protein Engineering Biochemistry Lab 250.253
- Developmental Biology 020.363
- Developmental Genetics Lab 020.340
Chemistry
- Introductory Chemistry I & II 030.101-102
- Introductory Chemistry Lab I & II 030.105-106
- Introductory Organic Chemistry I & II 030.205-206
- Introductory Organic Chemistry Lab 030.225 or Chemical Chirality Lab 030.227
Mathematics
- Calculus I & II 110.106-107 or 110.108-109
Physics
- General Physics 171.103-104 or 171.101-102
- General Physics Lab 173.111-112
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Psychology
Psychologists study thought and behavior in humans and animals. To understand how and why an individual engages in any given behavior, one must have an understanding of several factors. For example, the biological basis of behavior is studied to understand how the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and genetic influences all interact to yield observable behavior.
Psychologists analyze the cognitive and perceptual systems at a somewhat more abstract level in order to characterize the internal representations and processes that underlie perception, thought, and action. The personality of the individual—how that individual differs from others—is also an important determinant of behavior.
Social psychology is the study of how individuals behave in a social context, where virtually all behavior takes place. Because living organisms change over time, the development of physiological, perceptual, cognitive, personality, and social factors can also help explain behavior in humans and animals.
Psychopathology is the study of psychological disorders, which can interfere with an individual’s ability to cope with everyday life.
The department believes that through thoughtful relationships with advisers, engaged interactions with researchers, and involvement with the brain sciences community at JHU and beyond, undergraduate students will gain a breadth of understanding and knowledge in the field which will serve them well in their endeavors after graduating from Hopkins.
Learning Goals
The undergraduate courses in psychological and brain sciences aim to:
- Acquaint all interested students with a sampling of topics through a variety of introductory and advanced courses
- Prepare majors for graduate work in psychology and related disciplines through a program that meets the admission requirements of the outstanding graduate departments in the United States
- Offer a distribution of courses for a minor concentration in psychology as well as several fields of concentration for area majors in the social and behavioral sciences
- Provide an honors track designed for exceptional students who want training beyond that provided by the standard undergraduate curriculum.
To fulfill the program mission and objectives, undergraduates at Johns Hopkins University who complete the psychology major should:
- Understand the basic concepts underlying the major sub-disciplines of psychology as a field of scientific inquiry
- Develop a thorough grounding in quantitative skills and experimental methodology in the field of psychological science
- Be able to appreciate and critically evaluate the primary research literature in psychological and brain sciences
- Develop effective skills in written and oral communication, including the ability to structure a logical argument using supporting scientific evidence, geared to both specialists and non-specialists
- Be prepared for career paths and advanced graduate study in psychology and related fields.
Because of its broad scope, the study of psychology and related disciplines extends beyond the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences to other departments and organizations within Johns Hopkins University. Some of these include the departments of Biology, Biophysics, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Philosophy, Sociology; the Mind-Brain Institute; as well as departments in the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health, the Peabody Conservatory, and the Applied Physics Laboratory. Psychology majors are strongly urged to take advantage of these diverse opportunities for research and collaboration.
Johns Hopkins Pre Med Majors – Public Health Studies
BA Program
The Public Health Studies Program is a major that offers undergraduates an introduction to the vast and interdisciplinary world of public health by offering a variety of courses on the Homewood campus and also at the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Students begin their studies by taking foundational, core and intermediate public health courses (all on the Homewood campus); and, in their final year of study, students deepen their public health knowledge by having the opportunity to take courses at the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Foundation Courses
All students must take a series of foundational quantitative, natural sciences, and social sciences courses to build a strong base from which to learn.
Quantitative
Students must take one semester of calculus. This requirement can be fulfilled by using AP credits accepted by JHU.
Natural Science
Students must take two semesters of biology and one corresponding lab. While students typically fulfill this requirement with introductory biology classes, upper-level classes can also count. This requirement can be fulfilled using AP credits accepted by JHU.
Social Science
Students can choose two introductory social science courses. Courses applied to this requirement must come from different academic departments (i.e., Psychology, Sociology, Economics). Current students, please see your PHS Community Page on Canvas or contact your Academic Advisor with questions about course eligibility.
Public Health Studies Core Courses
Six core courses are required. With advisor approval, other JHU statistics courses can substitute for AS.280.345 Public Health Biostatistics. Otherwise, no substitutions are allowed. All six core courses must be completed before taking any courses at the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Six Core Courses (semesters offered):
- AS.280.101 Introduction to Public Health (fall and spring)
- AS.280.240 Research Methods in Public Health (fall and spring)
- AS.280.335 The Environment and Your Health (fall and spring)
- AS.280.340 Fundamentals of Health Policy and Management (spring)
- AS.280.345 Public Health Biostatistics (fall)
- AS.280.350 Fundamentals of Epidemiology (fall and spring)
Intermediate Public Health Courses
These courses maybe be taken concurrently with courses taken at the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Students must take one course at the 200-400 level the focuses on social and behavioral aspects of health.
Students must also take three additional courses at the 200-400 level. Courses must be at least 3 credits each. No more than two Gordis Teaching Fellowship (GTF) courses can be used to fulfill this requirement.
Applied Experience
The PHS Applied Experience requires at least 80 hours of field work experience with one program, organization, or researcher in a professional public health setting. There are a variety of ways to fulfill this requirement. Learn more on the Applied Experience page.
Advanced Courses at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Fifteen credits must be taken at JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health. Core courses must be completed before you register for JHSPH courses. These courses are taken in your final year of study.